Determining Extension\u27s Role in Controversial Issues: Content, Process, Neither, or Both?

Controversial issues offer Extension faculty opportunities to facilitate community dialogue and apply conflict resolution strategies to help communities achieve higher ground. Handled appropriately, the long-term benefits to the community, the Extension organization, and the faculty member of facilitating public issues outweigh the costs. This article explores Extension\u27s place in facilitating public issues dialogue and provides an initial first step in the decision-making process regarding what Extension\u27s role should be. An approach is proposed that can help faculty decide whether to respond to an issue with content, process, or a more comprehensive approac