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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Addressing Nature-Deficit Disorder Using A Multi-Program Area, Multi-State Approach, Rod N. Williams, Robert Cordes, Rebecca Koetz, Jarred Brooke, Molly Hunt, Lindsey Pedigo Dec 2021

Addressing Nature-Deficit Disorder Using A Multi-Program Area, Multi-State Approach, Rod N. Williams, Robert Cordes, Rebecca Koetz, Jarred Brooke, Molly Hunt, Lindsey Pedigo

The Journal of Extension

Youth are spending less time outdoors compared to previous generations. Because youth spend much of their time in school, teachers can provide the critical linkages that introduce students to nature. Unfortunately, teachers often lack access to standards-based STEAM curricula focused on natural resources, do not feel comfortable taking their students outside, and may not be knowledgeable about how to incorporate nature into the classroom. Addressing the nature deficit disorder facing today’s youth and the lack of professional development for teachers requires involvement from Extension (agriculture and natural resources specialists, health and human science educators) and natural resources professionals.


Floral Arrangement Collaboration Sharpens Consumer Connection To Locally Grown Flowers, James Delprince, Wayne Porter, Liz Sadler, Ross Overstreet Oct 2021

Floral Arrangement Collaboration Sharpens Consumer Connection To Locally Grown Flowers, James Delprince, Wayne Porter, Liz Sadler, Ross Overstreet

The Journal of Extension

Our statewide floral design training program aimed to raise consumer awareness and appreciation of locally grown fresh flowers and to promote extension floral programs through delivery of workshops and demonstrations. Initially, trainees used artificial rather than fresh flowers, necessitating development of a streamlined floral design project plan. Through collaboration with three flower farmers, we developed a floral design prototype. Our growers produced the flowers based on this model and extension provided registration support and media that facilitated locally grown flowers use in workshops. As a result, we connected 47 consumers directly to our producers. Flower growers felt the project was …


Insights Into Barriers And Educational Needs For Farm Succession Programming, Heather Schlesser, Sandra Stuttgen, Liz Binversie, Joy Kirkpatrick Oct 2021

Insights Into Barriers And Educational Needs For Farm Succession Programming, Heather Schlesser, Sandra Stuttgen, Liz Binversie, Joy Kirkpatrick

The Journal of Extension

Planning for farm succession is vital to the longevity of the farm business. To understand the challenges with succession planning, the University of Wisconsin - Division of Extension facilitated focus group meetings across the state. These authors classified the information from the focus groups into eight codes, and each code was further subdivided into themes. The codes included Financial, Communication, Control, Change, Fair vs. Equal, Delivery, and Support, Strategies, and Educational Needs. University of Wisconsin Division of Extension Agriculture Educators utilized the information obtained from the focus groups to create a workbook that provides practical assistance when working with families …


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.


Kentucky Equestrians: Defining Socioeconomic Contexts For Extension Programming, Kimberly I. Tumlin, Karin Pekarchik, Steven Claas Sep 2021

Kentucky Equestrians: Defining Socioeconomic Contexts For Extension Programming, Kimberly I. Tumlin, Karin Pekarchik, Steven Claas

The Journal of Extension

Understanding relationships between demographic and economic factors and equestrian participation could improve horse program design. We implemented an online survey that characterized associations of participation in equine activities, socioeconomic factors, and economic factors with age. Seventy-five percent of respondents ride, and 34% are recreational, non-competitive participants. Respondents were mostly female, and many participate in the sport throughout life. Many respondents indicated they overspent on equestrian activities. Horse programs should incorporate information and activities that address issues unique to females, should develop skills required by amateur or recreational riders, and should incorporate information on financial wellness.


Geocaching: A New Instructional Tool For Natural Resources Extension And Outreach, Jacob Smith, Dave Coyle, John Thomason, Todd Matthews, John J. Riggins Sep 2021

Geocaching: A New Instructional Tool For Natural Resources Extension And Outreach, Jacob Smith, Dave Coyle, John Thomason, Todd Matthews, John J. Riggins

The Journal of Extension

Nonnative pests and pathogens severely affect forest health and are often spread in firewood. Our objectives were to create an extension education program using “Don’t Move Firewood”-themed geocaches and travel bugs which were placed near campgrounds across Mississippi, and to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of this outreach method. Interactions with caches and travel bugs were monitored over nearly one year and summarized to provide a measure of outreach success. With a one-time per-unit cost of $45.95 for caches and $6.75 for travel bugs, these tools provide ongoing, cost-effective educational approaches well suited to augment existing or launch new outreach …


Veganic Agriculture In The United States: Opportunities For Research, Outreach, And Education, Alisha Utter, Mona Seymour Jul 2021

Veganic Agriculture In The United States: Opportunities For Research, Outreach, And Education, Alisha Utter, Mona Seymour

The Journal of Extension

A growing number of farmers are excluding animal inputs from crop production, an approach commonly referred to as veganic or stockfree organic agriculture. This research-based article discusses the soil health and fertility strategies reported by a sample of U.S. veganic farmers. These approaches may be relevant beyond the veganic community to farmers seeking innovative methods for produce safety and nutrient cycling. Agricultural outreach professionals (AOPs), including Extension personnel, play a critical role in supporting veganic practices by serving as cross-pollinators between farmers and research institutions. Thus, the article endeavors to expand AOP familiarity with veganic practices and benefits.


A Novel To Method To Measure Food Waste: The Mobile Food Record, Kaitlin Danible, Chloe Panizza, Carol Boushey, Deborah Kerr, Fengqing Zhu, Jinan C. Banna Jul 2021

A Novel To Method To Measure Food Waste: The Mobile Food Record, Kaitlin Danible, Chloe Panizza, Carol Boushey, Deborah Kerr, Fengqing Zhu, Jinan C. Banna

The Journal of Extension

The mobile food record (mFR) is a novel app that allows for the tracking of individual food waste and addresses the limitations of current methods to accurately quantify food waste. Extension educators may use data from the mFR™ to create educational initiatives for food waste prevention and education that may be implemented in settings such as schools and universities. The mFR is an innovative application that simplifies the process of collecting food-based data and accurately quantifying food waste for use in Extension.


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.


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.


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.


Applying Drone-Based Spatial Mapping To Help Growers Manage Crop Diseases, Qingren Wang, Shouan Zhang Jun 2021

Applying Drone-Based Spatial Mapping To Help Growers Manage Crop Diseases, Qingren Wang, Shouan Zhang

The Journal of Extension

Phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici) is one of the major soilborne diseases threatening many vegetable crops including squash. The disease results in severe epidemics and yield losses due to a rapid spread of the pathogen associated with wet weather and soil water-logging. Implementing drone-based spatial mapping with software elevation tools can assist growers in evaluating land levelling for uniform distribution of water to mitigate potential disease incidence. The technology has great advantages: rapid, precise, and labor-cost effective. Our result can implicate Extension professionals with application of spatial mapping to assist growers in managing their land and crops for disease …


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.


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.


Food Availability And Cost Patterns In Mississippi Retail Stores Participating In The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Virginia B. Gray, Sylvia H. Byrd, Laura Downey May 2021

Food Availability And Cost Patterns In Mississippi Retail Stores Participating In The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Virginia B. Gray, Sylvia H. Byrd, Laura Downey

The Journal of Extension

Research has suggested that availability of healthful food varies according to rurality/urbanicity, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation, and sociodemographic variables. We investigated differences in variety and cost of fruits and vegetables in convenience stores, grocery stores, and supermarkets across Mississippi. We collected data using the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey–Corner Store. Among stores surveyed (n = 453), fruit and vegetable variety was greater in nonmetro versus metro areas for convenience and grocery stores but not supermarkets. Elucidation of food availability in retail establishments serving SNAP Education (SNAP-Ed) clients is valuable for planning outreach efforts; smaller retailers may be important …


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.


Diagnostic Walkabouts: Seventeen Years Of Specialized Training For Horticultural Professionals, Timothy J. Malinich, Jacqueline Kowalski, Charles Behnke Mar 2021

Diagnostic Walkabouts: Seventeen Years Of Specialized Training For Horticultural Professionals, Timothy J. Malinich, Jacqueline Kowalski, Charles Behnke

The Journal of Extension

A diagnostic walkabout (DW) is an in-field diagnostic training program for professionals in the green industry (greenhouse, landscape, nursery, and turf businesses). DWs have been scheduled annually since 2002 and are easily replicable, fee-based programs that provide cost recovery. DWs also serve as a mentoring program for new Extension educators. Four generations of Extension Educators have participated. Recently, the annual program has been sponsored by state and regional trade associations. What began as an educational outreach program has become a bridge spanning Extension, trade associations, businesses, and generations of Extension educators.


Young Cattle Producers Conference Develops Leaders In Idaho, Carmen J. Willmore, Meranda Small, Sarah Baker, Jim Church Mar 2021

Young Cattle Producers Conference Develops Leaders In Idaho, Carmen J. Willmore, Meranda Small, Sarah Baker, Jim Church

The Journal of Extension

The need for young leadership in the beef industry has become a rising concern as the average age of primary operators increases. Extension educators developed a leadership conference for beef producers with the primary objective to educate and develop leadership qualities in young cattle producers. To achieve the objective participants, age 18-40 years old, had opportunities to learn all aspects of the industry through presentations, hands-on learning and industry tours. A post-conference survey revealed that participants planned to utilize what they learned and had a better understanding of the beef industry at the conclusion of the program.