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Tools For Addressing The Skills Of A Communication-Challenged Extension Agent, Tamara Pellien, Rachel Lyons
Tools For Addressing The Skills Of A Communication-Challenged Extension Agent, Tamara Pellien, Rachel Lyons
The Journal of Extension
In Extension, communication challenges often become more palpable during periods of workload shift when initiatives are started. As an Extension agent and a supervisor who found ourselves in this situation, we took steps to improve communication among members of the program team by adopting four strategies: fostering a supportive environment, defining and communicating expectations, using effective communication planning tools, and maintaining program momentum and work output through supervisor and supervisee best practices. Implementing these strategies positively affected team satisfaction and work output. Other Extension professionals in the midst of "breakdowns in communication" also may find the strategies we describe useful.
The Farming Population And Health Insurance: Educational Needs And Approaches Of Extension Professionals, Shoshanah Inwood, Emily Portman, Bonnie Braun, Scott Loveridge, Sarah Heiss, Alana Knudson
The Farming Population And Health Insurance: Educational Needs And Approaches Of Extension Professionals, Shoshanah Inwood, Emily Portman, Bonnie Braun, Scott Loveridge, Sarah Heiss, Alana Knudson
The Journal of Extension
Health insurance policy has critical implications for farmers, who work in a dangerous occupation and have historically high rates of being uninsured and underinsured. Extension is well poised to respond to changing policies and provide outreach to agricultural communities. However, few studies have explored capacity within Extension to respond knowledgeably to health insurance–related opportunities. Accordingly, we conducted focus group sessions with Extension professionals to understand current efforts, resource needs, and opportunities for program development in this realm. Our findings revealed a need for knowledge building within Extension through programming collaboration and an opportunity to connect the agriculture and health insurance …
Two Key Aspects Of Maintaining Professionalism During A Conflict, Alayne Torretta
Two Key Aspects Of Maintaining Professionalism During A Conflict, Alayne Torretta
The Journal of Extension
Rational detachment and effective communication are tools Extension professionals can use to increase their effectiveness at handling agitated individuals in conflict situations, such as those that can occur during certain 4-H events. If you need to enhance your ability to defuse conflicts, understanding these skills is an important step. You can learn to handle conflicts effectively and professionally without becoming angry or responding improperly. Rationally detaching from altercations can help you gain credibility and, thus, make your points more profoundly. Also, by using a three-pronged approach to communication—incorporating appropriate body language, tone of voice, and empathic words—you can gain control …
Twitter Chats: Connect, Foster, And Engage Internal Extension Networks, Jamie Seger, Paul Hill, Eric Stafne, Emy Swadley
Twitter Chats: Connect, Foster, And Engage Internal Extension Networks, Jamie Seger, Paul Hill, Eric Stafne, Emy Swadley
The Journal of Extension
The eXtension Educational Technology Learning Network (EdTechLN) has found Twitter to be an effective form of informal communication for routinely engaging network members. Twitter chats provide Extension professionals an opportunity to reach and engage one other. As the EdTechLN's experimentation with Twitter chats has demonstrated, the use of this technology can be a worthwhile method of engagement if suitable for the intended audience.
Crop Consultants As "Climate Consultants": An Extension Opportunity For Climate Change Communication, Leigh A. Bernacchi, J. D. Wulfhorst
Crop Consultants As "Climate Consultants": An Extension Opportunity For Climate Change Communication, Leigh A. Bernacchi, J. D. Wulfhorst
The Journal of Extension
Extension personnel can augment climate change communication and efforts to decrease climate-related agricultural risks by engaging with producers' trusted information sources, including crop consultants. Through a survey of inland Pacific Northwest wheat producers and in-depth interviews with area crop consultants, we examined relationships among producers, crop consultants, and climate change education and adaptation. We found that crop consultants are poised to communicate climate change information to producers, given their strong relationships with producers, practice of promoting adaptive management based on science, and ability to connect climate change to immediate on-farm practices. However, success in leveraging crop consultants to achieve widespread …