Vol. 9(1) Spring 02

From the Editor

Greeting to all members of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education

(AIAEE) and to all readers of the Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education!

Change is the only thing that remains a constant. This saying has particular relevance in my case. The past year was filled to capacity for changes in my life. First, my family and I moved from Mississippi to Texas last August. I work as an Assistant Professor in Agricultural Journalism under the Department of Agricultural Education at Texas A&M University. After beginning a “normal” routine last fall, everyone’s world was changed by the devastating events of September 11, 2001. I’m sure all our lives changed that day, but it wasn’t the biggest day of change for me in 2001.

The very next day, September 12, 2001, was the biggest day because my daughter, Sydney Paige was born. For those readers who have children, you know how much a new baby changes one’s family dynamics. January, 2002 brought a new milestone; another birthday...the fourth decade begins. And, January brought the onset of my service as Editor of the Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education. I am honored by this role. I am humbled by its responsibility. I am seeking your participation to continue the scholarly efforts of those who served before me.

Many thanks go out to Dr. Jim Connors, Past Editor, who served AIAEE and the Journal well during the past three years. Jim improved the look of the Journal and helped its growth and scholarly status among all academic journals. Thanks Jim! Also, I want to thank those who signed up to serve as reviewers for Volumes 9-11; to date, nearly 70 people worldwide are helping to maintain the scholarship of the Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education. If we maintain this high level of volunteerism and service over the next three years, you will make my job as Editor quite enjoyable.

One big change you can expect from the Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education in the next three years will be an electronic manuscript submission and review process. The “bugs” are being worked out, but I am hopeful this system will come to fruition by mid-2002. A secure system for submitting and reviewing your scholarly works will not replace the traditional methods used now, but it will enhance significantly the current processes. I look forward to the day when we can eliminate the necessity of paper, and waste, used to conduct the manuscript submission and review process for the Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education.

We will pass a huge milestone during my tenure as Editor; the 10th Anniversary of the Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education. An event this significant should be celebrated by all AIAEE members. How can you help plan for and participate in this celebration? First, take the time to write, write, and write some more. Send in your Feature Articles, Tools of the Profession and Commentary Articles. Second, encourage new members to join AIAEE and subscribe to the Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate 10 years of scholarship than by increasing it, and not just from a select few in our profession, but from all interested scholars worldwide. Share the subscription form located in the back of this issue with a colleague today. Show someone our Web site at: http://ag.arizona.edu/aiaee/Journal.htm. Finally, do what you can to promote greater understanding of agricultural and extension education worldwide.

Sincerely,

Gary J. Wingenbach, Editor

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education