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Articles 1 - 28 of 28
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After The Disaster Guidebook: Designing A Post-Disaster Communication Intervention For Rural Landowners, Channing Bice, Susan Carter
After The Disaster Guidebook: Designing A Post-Disaster Communication Intervention For Rural Landowners, Channing Bice, Susan Carter
The Journal of Extension
Extension is well-positioned to facilitate communication strategies that foster community resilience and disaster recovery, particularly for rural residents. This paper proposes a new approach to post-disaster communication that strengthens rural community capacities in locally and culturally relevant ways. The findings revealed specific post-disaster information needs, preferences for local resources, and communication that encourages resilience through a document analysis and interviews with informants recovering from the 2020 Colorado wildfires. The practical recommendations discussed serve as a starting point for Extension professionals in other areas to consider ways to engage with their communities before, during, and after a disaster.
Virtually The Same? Understanding Virtual And F2f Farmer Audiences, Laura Witzling, Eric Williams, Dara M. Wald, Jacqueline Comito, Elizabeth Ripley
Virtually The Same? Understanding Virtual And F2f Farmer Audiences, Laura Witzling, Eric Williams, Dara M. Wald, Jacqueline Comito, Elizabeth Ripley
The Journal of Extension
Agricultural and extension educators frequently employ a variety of methods to provide farmers with information about conservation practices. The introduction of virtual programming brought on in response to the COVID-19 pandemic set the stage for analysis of farmer outreach preferences with respect to face-to-face (F2F) versus virtual outreach. Using survey data of individuals who participated in field days in Iowa, we segmented participants based on their F2F or virtual attendance. We compared the groups based on key variables such as water quality concerns, communication behaviors, outreach preferences, and demographics. Our work suggests that a broad and dynamic communication strategy, including …
A Five-Step Stakeholder Communication Plan For More Effective Natural Resource Management, Hannah O. Brown, Susan K. Jacobson, Marcy Cockrell, Jessica Sutt, Katherine Allen, Amy Copeland
A Five-Step Stakeholder Communication Plan For More Effective Natural Resource Management, Hannah O. Brown, Susan K. Jacobson, Marcy Cockrell, Jessica Sutt, Katherine Allen, Amy Copeland
The Journal of Extension
Effectively communicating with diverse groups involved in environmental management is critical to facilitating successful projects. This five-step communication plan is designed to enable resource managers and extension professionals to successfully engage their stakeholders. This plan, which uses oyster reef management as an example, was informed by two primary sources: an expert meeting with stakeholder leaders and coastal residents and a review of relevant literature. By incorporating stakeholder input throughout the planning and implementation of natural resource management projects, new and innovative ideas emerge, and relationships between stakeholders, managers, and extension agents are strengthened.
Using True Colors® To Match Individual’S Personality Traits With The Appropriate Volunteer Role For Success, Alayne Torretta, Laura Bovitz
Using True Colors® To Match Individual’S Personality Traits With The Appropriate Volunteer Role For Success, Alayne Torretta, Laura Bovitz
The Journal of Extension
Just as there are different reasons that people volunteer in the community, each volunteer has specific values, different needs to be fulfilled, and different strengths to offer to Extension programs. Understanding these characteristics and utilizing them in assigning the appropriate volunteer role will result in more success in their volunteer experience. Utilizing True Colors® when assigning volunteer roles and developing working groups and committees has proven effective in our county 4-H programs. Conflicts between volunteers who do not work well together have been lessened due to reassigning them to roles that best fit their personality types.
Professional Development Needs Of Early-Career Extension Agents Beyond The First Year: Florida County Extension Director Perspectives, Matt Benge, Annie F. Muscato, Peyton N. Beattie
Professional Development Needs Of Early-Career Extension Agents Beyond The First Year: Florida County Extension Director Perspectives, Matt Benge, Annie F. Muscato, Peyton N. Beattie
The Journal of Extension
Extension agents serve important roles in communities but often begin their careers lacking skills crucial for success. We aimed to understand the professional development needs of Florida early-career Extension agents beyond the first year as perceived by eight county Extension directors (CEDs). Through semistructured interviews, CEDs indicated that building community relationships, managing volunteers, communicating effectively, and other Extension-related skills are areas for which early-career Extension agents need professional development. These results suggest a need for additional development opportunities beyond the first year, with a professional development model that is continually adapted as an Extension professional's skill set changes. Our findings …
Questions Farmers Ask: Implications For Improving Information Resources For Farmer Audiences, Alicia K. Formiga
Questions Farmers Ask: Implications For Improving Information Resources For Farmer Audiences, Alicia K. Formiga
The Journal of Extension
eOrganic, the Organic Agriculture Community of eXtension, has conducted webinars on organic farming research for over a decade. I examined questions asked by farmers and university researchers or educators during 52 webinars presented 2015–2017. A higher proportion of questions asked by farmers than questions asked by researchers/educators were about risks, benefits, and problem solving, and the farmers' questions contained many innovative ideas about production. A higher proportion of researcher/educator questions than farmer questions related to details of research studies, though farmers also posed questions about research methods. This article contains suggestions about tailoring research presentations to farmer audiences and confirms …
Invasive Species Terminology: Standardizing For Stakeholder Education, Basil V. Iannone Iii, Shannon Carnevale, Martin B. Main, Jeff E. Hill, Julie B. Mcconnell, Steven A. Johnson, Stephen F. Enloe, Michael Andreu, Emily C. Bell, James P. Cuda, Shirley M. Baker
Invasive Species Terminology: Standardizing For Stakeholder Education, Basil V. Iannone Iii, Shannon Carnevale, Martin B. Main, Jeff E. Hill, Julie B. Mcconnell, Steven A. Johnson, Stephen F. Enloe, Michael Andreu, Emily C. Bell, James P. Cuda, Shirley M. Baker
The Journal of Extension
The excessive number of terms associated with invasive species, and their often incorrect usage, hinders stakeholder education about the threats of invasive species. Here we introduce seven terms (native, nonnative, introduced, established, invasive, nuisance, and range change) that are applicable across invasive taxa, understandable, typically interpreted correctly, and useful for describing most situations regarding invasive species. We also list six terms to avoid (native invasive, invasive exotic, invasive weed, alien, foreign, and nonindigenous) that create confusion via their misuse and misinterpretation. The terms we propose …
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 …
Anger Management Program Participants Gain Behavioral Changes In Interpersonal Relationships, Suzanne Pish, Teresa Clark-Jones, Cheryl Eschbach, Holly Tiret
Anger Management Program Participants Gain Behavioral Changes In Interpersonal Relationships, Suzanne Pish, Teresa Clark-Jones, Cheryl Eschbach, Holly Tiret
The Journal of Extension
RELAX: Alternatives to Anger is an educational anger management program that helps adults understand and manage anger, develop communication skills, manage stress, and make positive behavioral changes in their interpersonal relationships. A sample of 1,168 evaluation surveys were collected from RELAX: Alternatives to Anger participants over 3 program years (2013–2015). A dependent t-test on the mean composite scores for the group and calculation of individual preprogram-to-postprogram change scores showed that the program was effective overall. The RELAX: Alternatives to Anger curriculum is appropriate for workplace wellness programs, Extension programming for audiences such as farm families and 4-H volunteers, and Extension …
Enhancing Volunteer Effectiveness With Google Apps, Bryan D. Terry, Amy M. Harder, Tonia Zyburt
Enhancing Volunteer Effectiveness With Google Apps, Bryan D. Terry, Amy M. Harder, Tonia Zyburt
The Journal of Extension
Today's Extension volunteers provide many services once provided by professional staff. Volunteers need the same communication tools that Extension professionals use. For many land-grant institutions and county Extension offices, this is logistically difficult and cost prohibitive. Google Apps gives all Extension volunteers free access to email, instant messaging, telephone services, voice mail, and file storage and retrieval. These tools will enhance every volunteer's ability to plan, execute, and assess results of any event or activity. Extension professionals should explore the technology needs of volunteers, encourage volunteers to explore Google Apps, and help volunteers use these tools in their volunteer roles.
The Virtual Extension Annual Conference: Addressing Contemporary Professional Development Needs, Nancy K. Franz, Robin Brekke, Deb Coates, Cathann Kress, Julie M. Hlas
The Virtual Extension Annual Conference: Addressing Contemporary Professional Development Needs, Nancy K. Franz, Robin Brekke, Deb Coates, Cathann Kress, Julie M. Hlas
The Journal of Extension
Extension systems are experimenting with new models for conducting professional development to enhance staff competence and other returns on professional development investments. The ISUEO virtual annual conference provides a successful flipped classroom model of asynchronous and synchronous learning events for conducting an Extension annual conference. The lessons learned and emerging promising practices from our experiment will help Extension systems better meet the professional development needs of today's Extension workers by providing new learning models and technology they can incorporate into their practice.
Recommendations For Establishing Extension Programming For Organic Farmers, Patrick Lillard, Jason Parker, Alan Sundermeier
Recommendations For Establishing Extension Programming For Organic Farmers, Patrick Lillard, Jason Parker, Alan Sundermeier
The Journal of Extension
As organic agriculture continues to grow, Extension is frequently being called to expand its efforts with organic farmers. However, this non-traditional audience has not historically requested or readily accepted information from Extension and will require Extension to use outreach methods more adapted for this grassroots-based audience. We conducted an extensive literature review of Extension efforts with organic farmers in order to develop recommendations for future Extension programming. The primary strand connecting them is the importance of developing informed Extension efforts by participating in existing organic farmer networks.
Initiating And Sustaining Conversations Between Organic Farmers And Extension, Jason Parker, Patrick Lillard
Initiating And Sustaining Conversations Between Organic Farmers And Extension, Jason Parker, Patrick Lillard
The Journal of Extension
The relationship between advocates of organic agriculture and land-grant university agents has evolved significantly over the past century, but land-grant research and Extension agents still confront many challenges to working with organic farmers. This article reviews the barriers to communication that have developed over the last century and initiates a discussion on how to facilitate successful collaborations among Extension agents, researchers, and organic farmers.
Researching And Communicating Environmental Issues Among Farmers And Ranchers: Implications For Extension Outreach, Roslynn G. Brain, Tracy A. Irani, Martha C. Monroe
Researching And Communicating Environmental Issues Among Farmers And Ranchers: Implications For Extension Outreach, Roslynn G. Brain, Tracy A. Irani, Martha C. Monroe
The Journal of Extension
The research reported here explored environmental terminology and scale use with farmers/ranchers, and the article provides tips for Extension educators in communicating with these audiences. Following analysis and critique of various environmental scales by six cattle ranchers, a revised environmental scale was developed and tested as a predictor of conservation behavior. A mail survey was administered to 1,000 ranchers, and a 60.2% response-rate was received. Results offer recommendations in measuring environmental identity as well as insight to perceptions of terminology related to environmental issues by farmers/ranchers.
Creating Research-Based Videos That Can Affect Behavior, Joseph Cone
Creating Research-Based Videos That Can Affect Behavior, Joseph Cone
The Journal of Extension
To engage recipients of Extension science-based video programming involves understanding what behaviors and decisions the recipients may be considering that can be affected by the programming. Such understanding may be developed through interviews, focus groups, and surveys, which should provide guidance for elements of the style and content of the video production. The success of the video in assisting viewers' decision-making should then be evaluated, for example through a survey, as described here. The approach presented draws upon and twines models from two different strands of communication research: nonpersuasive communication (Fischoff, 2007) and behavioral prediction (Fishbein & Yzer, 2003).
Tea Time: Raising Awareness And Support For Extension, Nancy K. Franz, Chris Fahey
Tea Time: Raising Awareness And Support For Extension, Nancy K. Franz, Chris Fahey
The Journal of Extension
In a time of reliance on electronic media for information, chaotic programming environments, and declining public resources, Extension workers need to find unique ways to connect with stakeholders to maintain and increase support for programming. To address this need, we developed, conducted, and evaluated a series of stakeholder teas. We found this method of communicating with stakeholders builds social, political, and fiscal support for Extension programming.
Publications Highlight Science Communication Research For Busy Professionals, Joseph Crone
Publications Highlight Science Communication Research For Busy Professionals, Joseph Crone
The Journal of Extension
Professionals, such as Extension personnel, who communicate with a range of non-specialists about scientific or technical information face particular challenges. A common goal of all such professionals is to effect at least some change in their audiences' understanding and perhaps in their actions. A key challenge for many of these professionals is a lack of familiarity with research relating to communicating and making decisions about scientific and technical topics. Public Science Communication Research and Practice, a series of publications from Oregon State University, is designed to identify, distill, and highlight useful social science research to help professionals communicate more effectively.
Quick And Easy: Use Screen Capture Software To Train And Communicate, Ellen Schuster
Quick And Easy: Use Screen Capture Software To Train And Communicate, Ellen Schuster
The Journal of Extension
Screen capture (screen cast) software can be used to develop short videos for training purposes. Developing videos is quick and easy. This article describes how these videos are used as tools to reinforce face-to-face and interactive TV curriculum training in a nutrition education program. Advantages of developing these videos are shared. Suggestions for how these videos can be used in other ways are offered.
Crossing Boundaries With Teamwork And Economics For Water Management, Christi Falen, Howard Niebling, Bill Hazen, Mike Telford
Crossing Boundaries With Teamwork And Economics For Water Management, Christi Falen, Howard Niebling, Bill Hazen, Mike Telford
The Journal of Extension
The Water Team used teamwork and economics to transcend water boundaries. Recommendations implemented and physical improvements extended the irrigation season by 16 days in 2008, increased potential farm profits, and increased water conservation. The Team is now poised to cross more boundaries, assembling data and coordinated plans for watershed management and groundwater recharge for larger geographic areas, watersheds, and organizations.
Keys To Successful Mentoring Relationships, Teresa Byington
Keys To Successful Mentoring Relationships, Teresa Byington
The Journal of Extension
Mentoring is an effective method of helping inexperienced individuals develop and progress in their profession. Extension staff have many opportunities to mentor volunteers and other community partners. The keys to establishing a successful mentoring relationship include creating a relationship of trust, clearly defining roles and responsibilities, establishing short- and long-term goals, using open and supportive communication, and collaboratively solving problems.
Cooperative Extension Training Impact On Military Youth And 4-H Youth: The Case Of Speak Out For Military Kids, James Edwin, Steve Mckinley, B. Allen Talbert
Cooperative Extension Training Impact On Military Youth And 4-H Youth: The Case Of Speak Out For Military Kids, James Edwin, Steve Mckinley, B. Allen Talbert
The Journal of Extension
Extension needs new venues to promote their programming skills to unfamiliar audiences. One new audience Extension is currently reaching is military children. By partnering with Operation: Military Kids to offer a Speak Out for Military Kids training, Extension supports military children and document changes in the behavior of this audience. Measuring perceptions of both military and nonmilitary youth who participated in a Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK) training highlight the benefits of such a program. Results indicated that SOMK was an effective tool for Extension to use to reach out to military youth and communicate their message.
Communication Barriers To Family Farm Succession Planning, Matthew S. Kaplan, Jon F. Nussbaum, Craig Fowler, Margaret J. Pitts
Communication Barriers To Family Farm Succession Planning, Matthew S. Kaplan, Jon F. Nussbaum, Craig Fowler, Margaret J. Pitts
The Journal of Extension
Many farm families fail to take succession planning actions even when information is available on the tax, business organization, and investment aspects of this process. In semi-structured interviews conducted with multi-generational members of nine small farm families in Pennsylvania, most respondents attributed a high level of importance to succession planning, but conceded that they had not done enough planning. Passive communication styles, unresolved issues, and uncertainty in their lives were inhibiting factors. Rather than rely on a "wait and see" approach, it helps to be inclusive of younger generations in key discussions and decisions about the future of the farm.
Making Communities More Viable: Four Essential Factors For Successful Community Leadership, Kristina Ricketts, Nick T. Place
Making Communities More Viable: Four Essential Factors For Successful Community Leadership, Kristina Ricketts, Nick T. Place
The Journal of Extension
A recent study was undertaken to compare two particularly successful rural communities, focusing on the importance of leadership within the community. Four significant factors set these successful communities apart from those less viable-effective communication, development of social capital, community engagement, and collaboration across and within communities. This article describes each component and provides specific suggestions for improvement. Ultimately, these factors could be used as focus areas to improve community leadership through the development of community-appropriate curricula, seminars, and workshops.
Practical Tips For Evaluators And Administrators To Work Together In Building Evaluation Capacity, Heather H. Boyd
Practical Tips For Evaluators And Administrators To Work Together In Building Evaluation Capacity, Heather H. Boyd
The Journal of Extension
This article describes considerations for administrators and internal evaluators for working in conjunction to improve evaluation capacity within their Extension organizations.