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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Using Extension As A Vehicle To Reduce Elementary Student Food Waste, Rebecca Koetz, Rod N. Williams Oct 2021

Using Extension As A Vehicle To Reduce Elementary Student Food Waste, Rebecca Koetz, Rod N. Williams

The Journal of Extension

Extension can play a key role in providing food waste education nation-wide. This study is the first to evaluate the effects of environmentally focused lesson plans on elementary student knowledge and perceptions regarding food waste. Herein we provide suggestions on concepts to teach students for the greatest impact on food waste reduction. We also provide avenues to incorporate food waste education into existing Extension programming. We hope the study can inspire and inform further food waste program development, assessment, and implementation through Extension.


Designing Educational Newsletter Interventions: An Example That Supported Grandfamilies’ Physical Wellness Needs, Priscilla Brenes, Mary Meck Higgins Jul 2021

Designing Educational Newsletter Interventions: An Example That Supported Grandfamilies’ Physical Wellness Needs, Priscilla Brenes, Mary Meck Higgins

The Journal of Extension

Effective newsletters have theory-based content and designs tailored to their readers and offer limited-cost community-level approaches to providing helpful, relevant, and engaging information. In accordance with this, we offer an example of a newsletter intervention that supported grandfamilies’ physical wellness needs. Six issues of a brief mail-delivered newsletter were sent yearly for up to 5 years to low-income custodial grandparents. In evaluating the newsletter, most respondents reported reading it, discussing its information, and having greater awareness, knowledge, and motivation or confidence regarding wellness recommendations. Furthermore, 91% described improving 1 or more of their grandfamilies’ cooking, eating, or physical activity practices.


Integrating Underutilized Black Volunteers In 4-H Youth Development Programs, Maurice Smith Jr., Shannon Wiley Jul 2021

Integrating Underutilized Black Volunteers In 4-H Youth Development Programs, Maurice Smith Jr., Shannon Wiley

The Journal of Extension

4-H Youth Development prides itself on providing essential resources to reach underserved minority populations. 4-H provides programming and professional development for volunteers to include diverse hands-on training, and cultural competency workshops. This article provides best practices for the inclusion of African American volunteers in 4-H programming efforts that could help extension educators better understand the need to include minority volunteer roles and responsibilities. These strategies include strengthening diverse volunteer make-up, increasing participation and trust among African American youth, and engaging volunteers working in educational organizations that could provide real world experiences for youth.


What Makes A Small Farm Successful? A Review Of Success Factors, Needs, And Challenges, Katie Tritsch, Ken Mix, Michelle L. Edwards, Manuel Piña Jr. Jun 2021

What Makes A Small Farm Successful? A Review Of Success Factors, Needs, And Challenges, Katie Tritsch, Ken Mix, Michelle L. Edwards, Manuel Piña Jr.

The Journal of Extension

Small-scale farmers face unique challenges. In this review, we conceptualize small farm success by aggregating and categorizing results from recent (post-2000) literature on small farm success factors and producer needs assessments. Our findings suggest that small farm success is multifaceted and not limited to profitability. We find that small farms have a diverse range of needs, though little has been done to rank their importance. We conclude that future research would benefit from increased methodological transparency and a systematic approach to needs evaluation. We consider the role of Extension professionals regarding the continued success of small farms.


Understanding Milk Consumption Habits Among College Students In Order To Redesign Outreach, Stacey F. Stearns, Adam N. Rabinowitz Jun 2021

Understanding Milk Consumption Habits Among College Students In Order To Redesign Outreach, Stacey F. Stearns, Adam N. Rabinowitz

The Journal of Extension

College students consume less dairy milk than in the past. Increased competition in the beverage aisle influences their choices. However, much of the population is not meeting the recommended intake guidelines for calcium. A survey of undergraduate college students with university dining plans focused on milk consumption habits, beverage choices, and student attitudes toward healthful foods and nutrition. Results are guiding Extension program educational outreach campaigns to college students. By focusing on the healthful and nutritional benefits of milk, Extension educators could increase consumption among college age consumers, and their long-term healthful outcomes.