Vol. 3(1) Spring 96

I begin my tenure as journal editor with a word of thanks to Jack Elliot who did an outstanding job of conceptualizing and publishing the journal for four years. For his service to the journal and the association Jack was deservedly recognized at this year's annual conference with the outstanding young professional award. Congratulations, Jack, and thanks!

As I assume the mantle of responsibility of the journal, I feel it is important to tell our readers where we hope the journal is headed and invite their opinions and comments for publication in an appropriate forum in the journal.

When the idea of the journal was presented to the AIAEE Board in 1991, the vision was for it to be a premier international journal contributing to the advancement of the agricultural and extension education profession and country development on a worldwide basis through the sharing of science-based and experiential knowledge. I think we have made good progress and are taking steps, albeit small, to realize this vision.

The idea of an enlarged editorial board for the journal to provide regional representation on a worldwide geographic basis has been initiated. Regional participation should promote ownership, liaison and marketing of the journal, increase and diversify the flow of articles from those regions, and add to the wealth of shared ideas. Universities, libraries, and non-government organizations in different countries offer a potential source of ideas and knowledge for the journal, and a valuable pool of readership to increase our circulation and reach.

A new 12-member editorial board will guide the Journal for the next few years. Individuals on the five- person board which served the journal since its inception deserve our thanks for an excellent start.

A significant change in the scope of the journal beginning with this issue is the opening up of two new sections, Commentary, and Tools of the Profession. These sections will be in addition to the regular research-based and issue-oriented feature articles that the journal has carried since its inception. Submissions of manuscripts to the new sections will be subject to editorial board review, and not the usual blind review process for feature articles. Further information about these sections and submission guidelines are included in this issue.

This change in the scope of the journal was agreed to by a majority of the journal's readership who attended the Twelfth Annual Conference in Arlington, Virginia, March 28-30. This came out in the results of a reader survey which was done at the conference. Other changes in scope favored by readers were new sections on New Ideas, Practical Applications of Research/Technology, and Appropriate Technology. Readers commented on a few things about the journal. Most of them (a) read the journal and used it in their teaching and/or writing, (b) liked the size, length, appearance and format, and (c) did not feel that the journal's payment schedule was discouraging authors from submitting articles. Choice praise for the journal included "well put together"; "a hidden treasure". Readers' concerns for better marketing of the journal and on-time publication are issues the editorial board will vigorously pursue.

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I would like to close by indicating a few ideas the editorial board is considering to improve the journal in the future:

␣ Spanish and/or French translations of appropriate articles in selected journal issues to target Central/South America and Africa, respectively.

␣ Closely related to the above is the idea of journal issues with a regional focus.

␣ Establishing relationships with journals in agricultural education and extension education disciplines published in other countries/regions. Such an arrangement has already been made with the European Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension (EJAEE), published quarterly by the University of Wageningen, The Netherlands. Contacts have also been initiated with the South African Journal of Agricultural Extension and Indian Journal of Extension Education.