exploring the future

The establishment of the Department of Extension Education in 1959 came about mainly because of support from the Ontario Department of Agriculture (ODA), especially the Extension Branch. The ODA had extension people in each county and district who were almost, without exception, graduates of the OAC. These people were specialists in various areas; Soil Science, Crop Science, Animal Science, Poultry Science but had little training in how to teach. They felt that with increasing scientific knowledge available, they would be more effective in their work if they had some formal training in the methods and techniques to help them in the dissemination of information.

Recently, the name of the program was changed to Capacity Development and Extension.

Today, Capacity Development and Extension provide courses and research work for a broad range of students with backgrounds in Politics, International Development, Engineering, Sociology and many others. The diversity of the program allows a rich mixture of ideas and viewpoints.

The mission of the Capacity Development and Extension program is to enhance the quality of life of rural people and communities, acknowledge and respect a diversity of needs and perspectives, through the provision of educational opportunities, interdisciplinary research, and community outreach.

The program aims:

• to provide a learner-centred learning community which is grounded in practice-based theories as they relate to rural extension processes and communication technology.to promote independent and interdependent learning among program participants
• to provide opportunities for learners to explore a variety of approaches to research and methods so that they will be able to make informed choices of appropriate research methods and techniques.
• to provide an environment in which issues of social justice, as they relate to rural extension studies, can be discussed in an open manner, acknowledging and respecting at all times the diversity of perspectives on these issues.

The Capacity Development and Extension Programs, together with the Rural Planning and Development Programs and the Landscape Architecture Programs form the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development. Each school has its own unique focus and together they represent a strong advocate for rural concerns and study.