Applied Extension Research in an Era of Devolution

Poster

 Speaker:
Thomas W. Blaine
330-466-7877
blaine.17@osu.edu
Ohio State University Extension
In recent years the trend in devolution (placing funding burdens and decisions for programs at more decentralized levels of government) has not only taken shape, but has accelerated. With changing priorities for the federal government (homeland security, combating terrorism, expanding the size and scope of military engagements abroad, combined with large scale federal tax cuts), it is clear that higher portions of funding for other government programs must be borne by smaller units of government - if they are going to be provided at all. But this leaves local policy decision makers in a position where they must confront issues they and their predecessors traditionally did not have to face. Many have expressed frustration at a lack of understanding of their constituents' views on important topics. Filling this void via applied Extension research conducted at the local level can keep the organization relevant and vital in this new era of devolution.

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