| Summary: | A growing biofuels industry requires the devel-
opment of effective methods to educate farmers, govern-
ment, and agribusiness about biofuel feedstock produc-
tion if the market is going to significantly expand beyond
first generation biofuels. Extension and outreach educa-
tion provides a conduit for important research, knowledge
and information to be disseminated to producers and agri-
business that can utilize the information to help establish
biofuel feedstock enterprises and markets. This paper
presents the results of a survey administered to extension
and outreach agents in 10 western states in the United
States to assess the current state of knowledge of exten-
sion and outreach agents, their needs regarding feedstock
production, and mechanisms used for outreach to their
clientele. Results indicate that extension and outreach
agents require additional training on biofuel feedstock
production, especially economic and logistical aspects. In
addition, extension and outreach agents showed a pref-
erence for learning using alternative methods, including
field days, seminars, face-to-face, community education
events, and the internet. Results differ by region and type
of extension and outreach agent.
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