The image of the 4-H professional/profession as perceived by selected Cooperative Extension Service professionals in the United States

The major study described the current status of the image of the 4-H profession as perceived by Cooperative Extension Service (CES) professionals in the United States. A Likert-scale instrument and reflective scale was submitted to a random, stratified sample of Extension professionals, representing all states and the District of Columbia. The mean values for the image variables were positive. The 4-H professional is perceived most strongly as an autonomous decision maker, personally committed to public responsibility, as a lifelong learner, and holding equal professional status and freedom for advancement within CES. Two connected ideas should be addressed: the mission of 4-H as it fits a locality and the expected role of the 4-H/youth professional.