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Articles 31 - 60 of 217
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Viticulture Education Via Blogging, Eric T. Stafne
Viticulture Education Via Blogging, Eric T. Stafne
The Journal of Extension
Extension educators must become creative to increase impact at a reduced cost. A blog from the Oklahoma State University viticulture and enology program through Wordpress engaged industry members about grape growing. The most views were during March and June, important months in the season. Off-season months (October through January) resulted in fewer readers. Views were consistent throughout the workweek, but declined during the weekend. A visual complement to a blog entry, such as a photo, may encourage readers to view content. Overall, the blog expand the reach of the Oklahoma viticulture and education program at no added expense.
E-Newsletters: A Simple Way To Integrate Technology With Extension Programming, Luke Erickson, Lyle Hansen
E-Newsletters: A Simple Way To Integrate Technology With Extension Programming, Luke Erickson, Lyle Hansen
The Journal of Extension
Extension educators can easily include technology in regular programming. Several Extension faculty conducted a survey to determine the overall effectiveness of a electronic newsletter (e-newsletter). Results indicated that this e-newsletter had a wide viral reach, provided strong local impact in terms of confidence and behavior changes, increased website traffic, and helped establish a strong web presence. This e-newsletter also helped increase programming requests and strengthen relationships with local legislators and other leaders. The implication is that e-newsletters are cost-effective, time-friendly, and relatively non-technical tools for expanding the reach of local Extension programs, and for reaching online audiences.
Increasing Response Rates To Web-Based Surveys, Martha C. Monroe, Damian C. Adams
Increasing Response Rates To Web-Based Surveys, Martha C. Monroe, Damian C. Adams
The Journal of Extension
We review a popular method for collecing data—Web-based surveys. Although Web surveys are popular, one major concern is their typically low response rates. Using the Dillman et al. (2009) approach, we designed, pre-tested, and implemented a survey on climate change with Extension professionals in the Southeast. The Dillman approach worked well, and we generated response rates as high as 79%. However, the method was not problem-free. We share several lessons learned and recommendations for increasing response rates with Web-based surveys and draw attention to the importance of personalized and repeated contact for improving survey response rates.
Mixed-Mode Surveys: A Strategy To Reduce Costs And Enhance Response Rates, Daniel Tobin, Joan Thomson, Rama Radhakrishna, Luke Laborde
Mixed-Mode Surveys: A Strategy To Reduce Costs And Enhance Response Rates, Daniel Tobin, Joan Thomson, Rama Radhakrishna, Luke Laborde
The Journal of Extension
Mixed-mode surveys present one opportunity for Extension to determine program outcomes at lower costs. In order to conduct a follow-up evaluation, we implemented a mixed-mode survey that relied on communication using the Web, postal mailings, and telephone calls. Using multiple modes conserved costs by reducing the number of postal mailings yet maintained an acceptable response rate (67.1%). The case presented here provides further evidence that using mixed-mode survey techniques provides Extension with a tool to conduct rigorous survey research while adapting to budget constraints.
Capital Budgeting For Hay Storage Decisions, Kd Dillivan
Capital Budgeting For Hay Storage Decisions, Kd Dillivan
The Journal of Extension
This article illustrates a capital budgeting tool that Extension agents and specialists can use to assist agriculture producers when contemplating the construction of a hay storage facility. Capital budgeting is a tool for evaluating the effects of an investment choice on a business. The payback method is a quick and simple capital budgeting procedure. Use of this method requires producers to estimate hay price, facility construction cost, and potential hay loss per year assuming no storage.
Impact Of A Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Extension Program On Producer Cull Cow Management Practices And Meat Quality Knowledge, Am Imler, Cc Carr, Mj Hersom, Dd Johnson, T A. Thrift
Impact Of A Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Extension Program On Producer Cull Cow Management Practices And Meat Quality Knowledge, Am Imler, Cc Carr, Mj Hersom, Dd Johnson, T A. Thrift
The Journal of Extension
Dairy producers must implement culling strategies that optimize animal welfare and meat quality to maintain consumer confidence in beef products. A Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Extension program was conducted including varying educational delivery methods, incorporating industry personnel in teaching and discussion, and interactive demonstrations. All respondents indicated that they would adopt at least one new production practice to optimize welfare and/or meat quality. Additionally, all respondents indicated that the workshop was effective at teaching producers how to optimize welfare and meat quality and improve the value of cull dairy cattle, suggesting that similar programs would be successful in other states.
Using Extension Phosphorus Uptake Research To Improve Idaho's Nutrient Management Planning Program, Steven Hines, Amber Moore, Brad Brown, Mireille Chahine, Richard J. Norell, Mario De Haro Marti, Christi Falen, Tianna Fife, Stuart C. Parkinson, James A. Ippolito
Using Extension Phosphorus Uptake Research To Improve Idaho's Nutrient Management Planning Program, Steven Hines, Amber Moore, Brad Brown, Mireille Chahine, Richard J. Norell, Mario De Haro Marti, Christi Falen, Tianna Fife, Stuart C. Parkinson, James A. Ippolito
The Journal of Extension
Irrigated silage corn is the main crop used for P removal in southern Idaho; however, little is known about the actual amounts of P removed under southern Idaho growing conditions. The study surveyed P removal by irrigated silage corn in primarily manured southern Idaho fields and wide-ranging soil test P. Whole plant corn tissue P concentrations ranged from 0.116 to 0.307% total P and averaged 0.208%—lower than Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) estimates used prior to 2007 (0.26%P) but higher than estimates used since 2007 (0.185%). The study was used to update the OnePlan.org© Nutrient Management planning online program.
Women Farmers: Pulling Up Their Own Educational Boot Straps With Extension, Nancy Ellen Kiernan, Mary Barbercheck, Kathryn J. Brasier, Carolyn Sachs, Anna Terman
Women Farmers: Pulling Up Their Own Educational Boot Straps With Extension, Nancy Ellen Kiernan, Mary Barbercheck, Kathryn J. Brasier, Carolyn Sachs, Anna Terman
The Journal of Extension
Women comprise a rapidly growing segment in agriculture. In this article, we examine how a network of women farmers, Extension educators, and researchers responded to the significant increase in women farmers in one state by creating a membership organization that draws on the expertise and resources of the land-grant university and Extension in Pennsylvania to create educational events with networking opportunities. We report 4 years of evaluation data for 37 events indicating educational impact, expansion and enhancement of the network, and marketing strategies for Extension to improve participation of women.
Extension Online: Utilizing Technology To Enhance Educational Outreach, Stephen Green
Extension Online: Utilizing Technology To Enhance Educational Outreach, Stephen Green
The Journal of Extension
Extension Online is an Internet-based online course platform that enables the Texas AgriLife Extension Service's Family Development and Resource Management (FDRM) unit to reach tens of thousands of users across the U.S. annually with research-based information. This article introduces readers to Extension Online by describing the history of its development, outcomes achieved over a 5-year period, system features, and the strategies that have led to the growth of the online system. In 2011, over 77,000 online courses were completed through Extension Online, demonstrating that technology can be successfully used to dramatically enhance Extension's outreach capabilities.
Joe'S Niche In The Extension Scholarship Movement, Nancy K. Franz, Celia E. Stovall
Joe'S Niche In The Extension Scholarship Movement, Nancy K. Franz, Celia E. Stovall
The Journal of Extension
Extension's sustainability is tied to relationships with academia. Now more than ever, Extension faculty and staff need to integrate their work into the aims of their university to gain credibility, relevance, and support. This requires Extension workers to more deeply and widely document and share the scholarship of their work with academics and stakeholders. Extension workers should look more often to the Journal of Extension as the premier Extension journal in North America to help address this need. The journal provides a number of factors and services that contribute to developing and sustaining a culture of Extension scholarship.
4-H Teen Community Emergency Response Team (Cert), Lynette Black, Pamela Powell
4-H Teen Community Emergency Response Team (Cert), Lynette Black, Pamela Powell
The Journal of Extension
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is designed to train Americans to safely help themselves and their community in the event of a widespread disaster. This program is designed for adults. Despite youth increasingly becoming recognized as valuable resources, able to equally partner with adults in leadership and decision-making roles (Zeldin, Petrokubi, & MacNeil, 2007), they remain a largely untapped resource in disaster preparedness where they could play an important role before, during, and after a disaster. 4-H Teen CERT is a program that empowers youth to prepare for, stay safe during, and respond after a major disaster.
Converting Face-To-Face Curricula For Online Delivery: Lessons Learned From A Biomass Harvesting Guidelines Curriculum, Diomy S. Zamora, Charles R. Blinn, Dave T. Chura, Eli S. Sagor, Larry D. Coyle, Grant M. Domke
Converting Face-To-Face Curricula For Online Delivery: Lessons Learned From A Biomass Harvesting Guidelines Curriculum, Diomy S. Zamora, Charles R. Blinn, Dave T. Chura, Eli S. Sagor, Larry D. Coyle, Grant M. Domke
The Journal of Extension
With shrinking budgets, staff reductions, and increased availability and access to digital technologies, Extension educators will be seeking ways to convert face-to-face programs to alternate formats. When converting Minnesota's biomass harvesting guidelines for online delivery, we learned many lessons while planning, developing, and testing our curriculum that can help others through a similar process.
A Statewide Train-The-Trainer Model For Effective Entrepreneurship And Workforce Readiness Programming, Nia Imani Fields, Manami Brown, Alganesh Piechocinski, Kendra Wells
A Statewide Train-The-Trainer Model For Effective Entrepreneurship And Workforce Readiness Programming, Nia Imani Fields, Manami Brown, Alganesh Piechocinski, Kendra Wells
The Journal of Extension
A statewide youth and adult train-the-trainer model that integrates workforce readiness and entrepreneurship can have a profound effect on young people's academic performance, interest in college, and overall youth development. Participants in workforce and entrepreneurship programs develop personal resources that have value in school, in the workplace, and in the local community (Entwisle, Alexander, & Olson, 2000). To increase the collaborative entrepreneurship and workforce readiness efforts in Maryland, 4-H Youth Development Educators created an interactive youth and adult train-the-trainer model to implement workforce readiness and entrepreneurship educational programs in local communities.
The Influence Of Extension On Team Success Of A Milk Quality Improvement Program, Kathryn J. Hohmann, Pamela L. Ruegg
The Influence Of Extension On Team Success Of A Milk Quality Improvement Program, Kathryn J. Hohmann, Pamela L. Ruegg
The Journal of Extension
A mail survey was used to determine the influence of Extension on team success of a milk quality improvement program for Wisconsin dairy producers. Producers who did not learn about Milk Money from Extension were less likely to complete the program and reported an increased bulk milk somatic cell count at the time of survey. Producers who did not use an Extension agent as the team leader were less likely to complete Milk Money compared to teams led by Extension agents. The impact of Extension on team success of Milk Money should be considered when creating new Extension programs.
Information Sources And Farmers' Attitudes Toward Switchgrass Production As A Biofuel Feedstock, Adrienne E. Marra, Kimberly L. Jensen, Christopher D. Clark, Burton C. English, R Jamey Menard
Information Sources And Farmers' Attitudes Toward Switchgrass Production As A Biofuel Feedstock, Adrienne E. Marra, Kimberly L. Jensen, Christopher D. Clark, Burton C. English, R Jamey Menard
The Journal of Extension
Farmers' use of information sources about switchgrass, a potential cellulosic ethanol feedstock, and interest in growing switchgrass are examined. Data are from a 2009 survey of farmers in 12 southern states. Farmers familiar with switchgrass production for energy tend to be younger, more highly educated, have larger farms, have higher farm incomes, and attend more Extension workshops than farmers unfamiliar with switchgrass. Farmers familiar with switchgrass tend to use multiple sources of information and use certain types of sources to formulate various opinions about switchgrass. Familiarity with switchgrass and using multiple information sources may build farmer interest in growing switchgrass.
Using Discussion Methods To Inspire Diversity: Harnessing Social & Cultural Capital, Brian Raison, Beverly Gordon
Using Discussion Methods To Inspire Diversity: Harnessing Social & Cultural Capital, Brian Raison, Beverly Gordon
The Journal of Extension
How can you better harness the powerful social capital that exists within diverse individuals, families, businesses, and schools to make positive impacts in your community? What could you add to your next meeting—a Chamber strategic planning session, an employee wellness program, a non-profit board development—to better connect participants with valuable (and sometimes hidden) resources that often go untapped? This article describes a guided-discussion process in which participants (communities, volunteers, clients, students, non-profits, business alliances, etc.) discover strength, richness, and value within their collective narratives. It allows exploration of topics in diversity, social capital and community action.
Flexible Training Program Builds Capacity For Diverse Challenges, Martha C. Monroe, Lauren Mcdonell
Flexible Training Program Builds Capacity For Diverse Challenges, Martha C. Monroe, Lauren Mcdonell
The Journal of Extension
Flexible training programs help participants build skills to solve problems in a variety of contexts. Programs that enable trainers to adapt materials create an additional type of useful flexibility. This case study explores how a program was designed to help natural resource managers address challenges and conflicts across the southeastern United States. Changing Roles: Wildland-Urban Interface Professional Development Program gives trainers maximum flexibility in creating a locally relevant program and also engages participants in addressing important challenges. The evaluation suggests this design was successful and is helping participants overcome the helplessness that comes with not knowing how to solve problems.
A Feasibility Template For Small, Multi-Species Meat Processing Plants, Rodney B. Holcomb, Kyle Flynn, Philip Kenkel
A Feasibility Template For Small, Multi-Species Meat Processing Plants, Rodney B. Holcomb, Kyle Flynn, Philip Kenkel
The Journal of Extension
This article describes a spreadsheet-based template designed to help livestock producers and others examine the feasibility of operating a small, multi-species meat processing plant. The template allows users to define plant size and capacity, including the breakdown of processing activities by species and additional revenue opportunities. The spreadsheet utilizes user-defined information on capital and operating costs to develop depreciation schedules, loan amortization schedules, 10-year profit/loss projections, cash flow projections, and various measure of return on investment. An imbedded user's guide and a companion "how to use" video helps template users examine the financial feasibility of a meat plant venture.
Iowa Consumer Motivations And Preferences For Agritourism Activities, Melissa S. Norby, Michael S. Retallick
Iowa Consumer Motivations And Preferences For Agritourism Activities, Melissa S. Norby, Michael S. Retallick
The Journal of Extension
The study reported here sought to ascertain the agritourism attraction preferences of Iowa consumers based on population category. Respondents were asked questions regarding their motivation and preferences related to participation in agritourism activities. The results revealed that individuals enjoy participating in agritourism activities to spend time with family and friends while supporting local farmers. They placed considerable importance on the availability of fresh produce, on-site restrooms, and a convenient location. The information regarding consumer motivation and preferences may be used by Extension educators, state organizations, and the agritourism owner/operator to create a consumer profile and target market prospective audiences.
Assessing Extension Educators' Needs For Homeowner Pesticide Use And Safety Information, Colleen S. Church, Wayne G. Buhler, Lucy K. Bradley, Ronald E. Stinner
Assessing Extension Educators' Needs For Homeowner Pesticide Use And Safety Information, Colleen S. Church, Wayne G. Buhler, Lucy K. Bradley, Ronald E. Stinner
The Journal of Extension
The study evaluated Extension educators' viewpoints on homeowner pesticide education needs, information availability, and the format and delivery of information that best meets those needs. Homeowner pesticide information requests are made most frequently when assistance is needed to select the proper product, determine the correct use rate, and understand differences in formulations and label directions. Homeowner pesticide education materials are easy to locate, but frequently are not in a format likely to be used by this audience. Homeowners often need additional information to make safe and effective pesticide applications, in addition to the specific product and rate information typically requested.
Family Resource Management Needs Assessment In New Mexico, Fahzy Abdul-Rahman
Family Resource Management Needs Assessment In New Mexico, Fahzy Abdul-Rahman
The Journal of Extension
New Extension state specialists face many uncertainties when beginning to work in their new position, especially when it involves a state unfamiliar to them. Literature reviews may not provide the latest and clearest picture of the needs and challenges in the state. Furthermore, the between-county variation of issues may differ greatly. The study reported here illustrates how a survey of Home Economics county agents may benefit a new Extension specialist and provide a picture of Extension Home Economics needs and challenges specific to New Mexico.
An Unexplored Direction In Solid Waste Reduction: Household Textiles And Clothing Recycling, Celia Stall-Meadows, Cynthia Goudeau
An Unexplored Direction In Solid Waste Reduction: Household Textiles And Clothing Recycling, Celia Stall-Meadows, Cynthia Goudeau
The Journal of Extension
"Nearly 100% of all household textiles and apparel can be recycled" was the thesis for a recycling education program for Extension professionals attending a state meeting. Positive encouragement resulted in six additional presentations and pre-test/post-tests. One group received a follow-up survey after 3 1/2 months. After the educational sessions, awareness and perceived importance increased, and donating unwanted clothing to churches or charities became the preferred option, while discarding in the trash became the least desirable option. Extension professionals can engage consumers in a unique area of waste management. The resulting Extension fact sheet lends curriculum support.
Evaluation Of A Cooperative Extension Service Curriculum On Empowering Older Adults With Assistive Technology To Grocery Shop, Prepare Food, And Eat, Janice R. Hermann, Jan. H. Johnston, Whitney A. Brosi, Linda Jaco
Evaluation Of A Cooperative Extension Service Curriculum On Empowering Older Adults With Assistive Technology To Grocery Shop, Prepare Food, And Eat, Janice R. Hermann, Jan. H. Johnston, Whitney A. Brosi, Linda Jaco
The Journal of Extension
The Empowering Older Adults with Assistive Technology to Shop, Cook and Eat curriculum was designed to provide education about concepts of empowerment and assistive technology for grocery shopping, preparing food, and eating. The curriculum included examples and hands-on demonstrations of assistive technology devices for grocery shopping, food preparation, and eating. Results of post-then-pre evaluation with 100 participants revealed significant increases in awareness and comfort using assistive technology devices. Evaluation indicated education and hands-on demonstrations increased awareness of the importance of older adult nutrition and older adult empowerment through use of assistive technologies designed to facilitate independent living.
North Dakota Leadership Training Boosts Confidence And Involvement, Lynette Flage, Marie Hvidsten, Rachelle Vettern
North Dakota Leadership Training Boosts Confidence And Involvement, Lynette Flage, Marie Hvidsten, Rachelle Vettern
The Journal of Extension
Effective leadership is critical for communities as they work to maintain their vitality and sustainability for years to come. The purpose of the study reported here was to assess confidence levels and community engagement of community leadership program participants in North Dakota State University Extension programs. Through a survey administered to 196 program participants, a statistically significant increase was shown in self-confidence as well as in community organizational involvement and leadership.
Testing A New Generation: Implementing Clickers As An Extension Data Collection Tool, Sondra M. Parmer, Greg Parmer, Barb Struempler
Testing A New Generation: Implementing Clickers As An Extension Data Collection Tool, Sondra M. Parmer, Greg Parmer, Barb Struempler
The Journal of Extension
Using clickers to gauge student understanding in large classrooms is well documented. Less well known is the effectiveness of using clickers with youth for test taking in large-scale Extension programs. This article describes the benefits and challenges of collecting evaluation data using clickers with a third-grade population participating in a childhood obesity prevention program.
A Model For Evaluating Extension Communities Of Practice, Kathleen D. Kelsey, Eric T. Stafne
A Model For Evaluating Extension Communities Of Practice, Kathleen D. Kelsey, Eric T. Stafne
The Journal of Extension
As Americans shift their work and leisure activities online, Extension seeks to remain viable by delivering programs through a website known as eXtension. eXtension is predicated on the voluntary labor of Extension specialists and educators who form Communities of Practice to create and deliver content through the website. Evaluation of eXtension CoP can be effectively executed using Patton's (2011) developmental evaluation model. A flow of activities for evaluating eXtension CoP using this approach is presented along with a case study of the Grape CoP evaluation using Patton's developmental evaluation model.
Evidence-Based Programming: What Is A Process An Extension Agent Can Use To Evaluate A Program's Effectiveness?, Robert J. Fetsch, David Macphee, Luann K. Boyer
Evidence-Based Programming: What Is A Process An Extension Agent Can Use To Evaluate A Program's Effectiveness?, Robert J. Fetsch, David Macphee, Luann K. Boyer
The Journal of Extension
Extension agents and specialists have experienced increased pressure for greater program effectiveness and accountability and especially for evidence-based programs. This article builds on previously published evidence-based programming articles. It provides ideas that address three problems that Extension staff face with EBPs and that Extension agents and specialists can use either to test or enhance an existing Extension program's effectiveness or to test the effectiveness of a new program that looks promising.
A Look Inside: Self-Leadership Perceptions Of Extension Educators, Kristina G. Ricketts, Hannah S. Carter, Nick T. Place, Teresa Mccoy
A Look Inside: Self-Leadership Perceptions Of Extension Educators, Kristina G. Ricketts, Hannah S. Carter, Nick T. Place, Teresa Mccoy
The Journal of Extension
Extension educators are often considered influential community leaders. Still the question remains—how do educators motivate themselves to success? Does this contribute towards their self-leadership perceptions? Specialists from three universities administered a survey to look at the "self-leadership" of Extension educators. Results indicated Extension educators use a variety of motivation strategies; however, there was a lack of awareness of how their thought processes contributed towards leadership success. Ultimately, future Extension professional development curriculum and trainings should be focused on developing motivational strategies such as how to successfully "self-talk," evaluation of one's beliefs and assumptions, and how to visualize successful performance.
Natural Resource Service Learning To Link Students, Communities, And The Land, Rebecca J. Barlow
Natural Resource Service Learning To Link Students, Communities, And The Land, Rebecca J. Barlow
The Journal of Extension
University-based Extension specialists often face the dilemma of scheduling time for both teaching and outreach activities. Service learning projects that give hands-on experience in the application of classroom activities while giving back to the community can bridge this gap. A demonstration forest and service learning techniques were used to help 30 undergraduate forestry students lead a forestry field day for 100 elementary school students. Upon completion of the project, undergraduate students were more confident in their forestry knowledge and played an important role in the success of a natural resources Extension demonstration and outreach project.
Eating Green: Coverage Of The Locavore Movement, Amanda Ruth-Mcswain
Eating Green: Coverage Of The Locavore Movement, Amanda Ruth-Mcswain
The Journal of Extension
Various environmental, health, and food safety concerns have affected the purchasing decision of consumers and contributed to the growing demand for local produce and products, all of which can be found at local farmers markets. The research reported here adds knowledge about the media coverage regarding the role of farmers markets in local food consumption. Through a framing analysis of newspapers from eight different U.S. cities, the study revealed that four frames describe the coverage on the farmers markets and the buying local trend. Suggestions for Extension outreach efforts based on the locavore movement are offered.