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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course: Program Evaluation, Nicola Oosthuizen, Pedro Fontes, Graham C. Lamb, Jason J. Cleere Sep 2023

Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course: Program Evaluation, Nicola Oosthuizen, Pedro Fontes, Graham C. Lamb, Jason J. Cleere

The Journal of Extension

Survey results (n = 3,748) collected over a period of 7 years from the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course (BCSC) were analyzed to evaluate course demographics and the impact of the course on attendees. Results of this survey demonstrate that attendee demographics of the BCSC are representative of beef cattle producers in the United States and that the BCSC is effective at delivering information that positively impacts beef production in Texas. Extension professionals can make use of these findings to tailor future education programs to better serve the needs of beef cattle producers nation-wide.


Educational Needs Of North Carolina Non-Industrial Private Forest Landowners And Barriers To Meeting These Needs, Robert E. Bardon, Kristin Peters, Rajan Parajuli, K.S.U. Jayaratne May 2023

Educational Needs Of North Carolina Non-Industrial Private Forest Landowners And Barriers To Meeting These Needs, Robert E. Bardon, Kristin Peters, Rajan Parajuli, K.S.U. Jayaratne

The Journal of Extension

Forest landowners are an important target audience for many state Extension programs. Acknowledging the differences and associations between landownership values, characteristics, and educational preferences of forest landowners should lead to improvement of educational programs and ensuring that educational needs are being met. Through an internet-based survey of forest landowners four distinct landowner typologies were identified based on respondents’ reason for owning forestland. Results also identified the educational needs and barriers to meeting these needs for the landowners. Creating typologies based on attitudinal responses will allow for a more focused approach to developing educational products and services to meet landowner needs.


Challenges Experienced By Aquaponic Hobbyists, Producers, And Educators, D Allen Pattillo, David J. Cline, Janelle V. Hager, Luke A. Roy, Terrill R. Hanson Dec 2022

Challenges Experienced By Aquaponic Hobbyists, Producers, And Educators, D Allen Pattillo, David J. Cline, Janelle V. Hager, Luke A. Roy, Terrill R. Hanson

The Journal of Extension

We used an online survey to document challenges experienced by aquaponic hobbyists (n = 81), producers (n = 117), and educators (n = 75). Responses were distilled into the following categories: 1) operations and management; 2) facilities, location, and system design; 3) knowledge and educational resources; 4) funding; 5) economic viability; 6) plant culture; 7) marketing and distribution; 8) fish culture; 9) human factors; 10) regulations and certifications. Training and research in these areas are needed to advance the aquaponics industry.


Fad Diets: Professional Development Needs Among Nutrition Agents In Select Southern States, Abigail P. Mcalister, Vicky L. Green, Simone Camel, Mary C. Fontenot, Janet F. Pope May 2022

Fad Diets: Professional Development Needs Among Nutrition Agents In Select Southern States, Abigail P. Mcalister, Vicky L. Green, Simone Camel, Mary C. Fontenot, Janet F. Pope

The Journal of Extension

Because FCS agents teach communities about dietary guidelines, it is important that they are aware of the latest nutrition research. This study assessed FCS agents’ knowledge of popular fad diets (low-carbohydrate, intermittent fasting, detoxes and cleanses) and their potential adverse effects, and its relationship among location, certifications, years of experience, professional association memberships, and education. Agents in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi were emailed a survey. RDN, DTR, and CHES certifications had significant associations (p = 0.03) with knowledge of adverse effects of fad diets. Agents who hold these credentials may have more knowledge about adverse effects of fad diets.


Development Of Add-On Materials To Supplement Food Safety Modernization Act Trainings In The Western U.S., Jovana Kovacevic Feb 2022

Development Of Add-On Materials To Supplement Food Safety Modernization Act Trainings In The Western U.S., Jovana Kovacevic

The Journal of Extension

During the 2017 annual meeting of the Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety, 52 representatives from 15 western states/territories, regional centers funded through USDA-NIFA Food Safety Outreach Program, federal and state government agencies, and non-governmental organizations prioritized topics for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) training materials that address region-specific agricultural production and processing systems. This article describes supplemental materials or “add-ons” developed to support FSMA-related food safety trainings. Although the materials were developed for the western region stakeholders, they can be applied or adapted to other regions in or outside the U.S. to enhance food safety trainings.


Assessing The Value Of Video Resources In Extension-Led Natural Resources Management Continuing Education Programs, Eli S. Sagor, Marcella A. Windmuller-Campione, Madison G. Rodman Jun 2021

Assessing The Value Of Video Resources In Extension-Led Natural Resources Management Continuing Education Programs, Eli S. Sagor, Marcella A. Windmuller-Campione, Madison G. Rodman

The Journal of Extension

Effective delivery of continuing education programs can improve their impact. Using the first of four two-week modules of a professional short course, we tested outcomes of a flipped classroom approach, comparing professional foresters’ completion rates, preference for, and perceived value of pre-module content delivered via video and reading. Participants in the National Advanced Silviculture Program self-reported significantly higher pre-module completion rates, preference for, and perceived value of video over reading. This simple study suggests the potential for video to serve as an accessible and preferred format for delivery of key content to supplement an in-person continuing education program.


Eating Smart And Moving More For Head Start: A Pilot Study, Virginia C. Stage, L Suzanne Goodell, Susan Chase, Stephanie Mcdonald, Archana V. Hegde, Jocelyn Bayles, Lorelei Jones Mar 2021

Eating Smart And Moving More For Head Start: A Pilot Study, Virginia C. Stage, L Suzanne Goodell, Susan Chase, Stephanie Mcdonald, Archana V. Hegde, Jocelyn Bayles, Lorelei Jones

The Journal of Extension

Our study examined the relationship between improved personal health behaviors of Head Start teachers’ and the promotion of positive health behaviors in their classroom. Thirty-three Head Start teachers across 7 centers received six 30-minute nutrition education lessons. Dietary intake, physical activity, and self-efficacy for promoting positive health behaviors in the classroom were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Significant improvements were observed for dietary intake and physical activity. Self-efficacy for promoting health behaviors in the classroom did not significantly improve. Additional education is needed to improve health promotion practices. Lessons learned contributed to program refinement. Implications for Extension are discussed.