Life Sciences Commons^™

Assessing Florida Consumer Attitudes And Beliefs About Locally Or Regionally Produced Livestock And Products, Akua Adu-Gyamfi, Reem I. Omer, Jannette R. Bartlett, David Nii O. Tackie, Bridget J. Perry

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

In recent years, consumer interest in locally or regionally produced foods has been growing. This study analyzed consumer attitudes and beliefs on local or regional livestock products in Florida. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 404 participants from counties in Florida. They were assessed by descriptive statistics, including chi-square tests. Most participants believed using chemicals in locally or regionally produced beef or goat meat was at minimum a somewhat serious hazard. Thus, many were willing to pay more for meat certified as locally or regionally produced. Moreover, most agreed or strongly agreed with statements on meat attributes. …

Scaling Up Fruit And Vegetable Production: Is Machinery Sharing A Possibility?, Georgeanne M. Artz, Linda Naeve

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

Interest in local food is growing among consumers and small-scale farmers, as evidenced by the significant increase in the number of farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture arrangements, and food hubs, in the last ten years. To meet the demand for locally grown fruits and vegetables, many small-scale farmers are considering scaling up their production. However, to remain profitable they need to balance production with increased labor costs and the need for specialized machinery. A study conducted in Iowa worked with five groups of farmers who shared different pieces of machinery. With help from the researchers, they developed sharing agreements and …

Food Insecurity And Psychological Well-Being Among Women Living With Hiv/Aids On Antiretroviral Therapy In The Alabama Black Belt, Andrew A. Zekeri, Youssouf Diabate

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

The objective of this research was to estimate the prevalence of food insecurity and determine if food insecurity is associated with psychological well-being among women living with HIV/AIDS. Survey data were collected from 268 women living with HIV/AIDS attending two clinics that provide medical and social support services to HIV-positive patients who live in 23 counties in Southeast Alabama. The results indicated that, using USDA food security scale, 54% of the women were food insecure. Multiple regression analysis results indicated that income, depressive symptoms, race, and participation in SNAP were significant predictors of food insecurity; employment and education were not …

Fermented Food: Putting The Power Of Good Health Back Into The Hands Of The People, Marsha L. Thadison

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Editors’ Note: At the December 2013 Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, several women were invited to share, information about their unique businesses. One such presenter was Marsha L. Thadison, owner of Yesterday’s Kitchen 4 Today, a company that focuses on promoting functional foods. Thadison shared that food is produce and consumed differently from previous generations. Today's food, she argued, involves many more agricultural inputs that aid in food preservation, extension of shelf life, and promotion of animal health. She espoused the benefits of fermented food.

Farm Bill Trends And Food Insecurity: Impacts On Rural And Urban Communities, Adell Brown Jr., Susan E. Nelson

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

With the constraints in federal budgeting requiring the shrinkage of federal programs, programs outlined in the 2014 Farm Bill are significantly impacted, showing a thirteen year trend toward funding reduction. This paper examines historical Farm Bill programs, including crop subsidies and the nutritional assistance programs and how these programs historically addressed food insecurity versus how they are impacted by today’s budgetary constraints. The paper also examines new models for addressing food insecurity and how communities are pulling together resources to address food insecurity. In discussing the new models, the paper focuses on policy trends and funding structures; for example community …

Biofeedback Relaxation Techniques In Addressing Cortex-Hypothalamus Control Loop For Motivation Of Obesity Avoidance, Liljana Bozinovska, Ahmed Majekodunmi

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

This research explores how the achievement motivation pathway in the cortex influences hypothalamic activity, which could influence appetite control and obesity avoidance. The objective was to examine the sympathetic/parasympathetic feedback loop, and the influence of various biofeedback relaxation techniques on lowering heart rate (HR) and electrodermal activity (EDA). The methodology used was a standard biofeedback mechanism with visual representation of the measured physiological parameters. The feedforward part of the said feedback loop is controlled by hypothalamus while the feedback part is evaluated by the cortex. The participants were young adults and the sample size was ten. The results revealed that …

Case Study Of A Food Safety/Good Agricultural Practices (Gaps) Educational Program For Small And Limited Resource Produce Farmers, Barrett Vaughan, Audrey Zeigler, Gertrude D. Wall, Miles D. Robinson, William A. Hodge, Conrad O. Bonsi, Ntam R. Baharanyi, Walter A. Hill

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

This case study examined methods used in a food safety/Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) educational program with small and limited resource produce farmers in Alabama to assist them with obtaining certification. Two methods were used, namely, the identification of challenges to food safety certification and development of strategies to address the challenges, and the enlistment of educational methods to facilitate food safety certification. As a result, there were four challenges to food safety certification identified; needs for motivation, information, clarification, and resources. In addition, the educational methods enlisted included group meetings, instructional material distribution, individual farm instruction, and expert instruction. The …