Digital Commons Network^™

Customer Journey Mapping: A New Tool In The Extension Educator’S Toolbelt, Christopher Sneed, Heejin Lim, Michelle Childs, Megan B. Leffew

Journal of Extension

Customer journey mapping can be used to gain a complete understanding of customers by charting touchpoints across pre-purchase, purchase and post-purchase stages. By lifting customer journey mapping out of traditional retail settings and applying it to farm retail enterprises, customer journey mapping can be a powerful tool in the Extension educator toolbelt – a tool that can be utilized when educating producers in group settings or individual consultations. This article offers an introduction to the customer journey mapping tool. A case study and tips for using journey mapping concludes the article.

Offal Wildlife Watching: Connecting Hunters, Wildlife Researchers, And The Public Through Participatory Science, Ellen M. Candler, Grace Milanowski, Amy Rager, Joseph K. Bump

Journal of Extension

Offal Wildlife Watching is a participatory science project that engages deer hunters in wildlife research. The goal of the project is to better understand the ecology of scavenger species that visit deer gut piles across Minnesota. We asked hunters to deploy remote cameras at white-tailed deer gut piles that resulted from their freshly killed deer. Thus far 117 hunters have contributed images and recorded at least 49 different scavenger species. This project is a natural fit in Extension programs and can easily be adapted to other hunted species, biomes, and locations.

Proof Of Concept: Leveraging Large Language Models For Qualitative Analysis Of Participant Feedback, Andrew B. Crocker, Marcelo Schmidt, Juan Diego Tejeda, Howard Rodriguez-Mori

Journal of Extension

This proof-of-concept study explores the innovative application of Large Language Models (LLMs) for qualitative analysis of feedback from an Extension program, addressing the challenge of efficiently analyzing qualitative data. The study juxtaposes traditional human-led qualitative analysis with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven techniques, revealing the complementary strengths of human insights and AI efficiency. It underscores the potential of LLMs to enhance qualitative analysis while recognizing the need for human oversight to ensure depth and context accuracy. This research contributes to the fields of program evaluation and data analysis, offering a new paradigm for integrating advanced AI tools in qualitative research.

Workshop Wine Wednesdays: Change In Behavior Around Local Wines, Aude Watrelot, Sarah Francis, Sarah Al-Mazroa Smith

Journal of Extension

Wine workshops hosted at local wineries positively impacted the behavior of Iowa wine consumers. Many participants (75%) reported visiting an Iowa winery following the workshop. The percentage of participants consuming Iowa wines increased by 20.6% (p

The Vrkc: A Newly Updated Tool To Help 4-H Volunteers Develop Foundational Competencies, Jennifer Lobley, Gemma Miner, Meggan Franks

Journal of Extension

Volunteers play a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of the 4-H program. Research demonstrates that offering professional development opportunities to volunteers contributes to retention. The Volunteer Research Knowledge Competency Taxonomy (VRKC) is a framework that pinpoints essential competencies for proficiently delivering 4-H youth development programs. This article provides an overview of newly refined VRKC resources and discusses their application with volunteers for virtual and in-person delivery.

An Inventory Of Private Well Programs Across The United States, Bethany G. Foust, Ann S. Ojeda, Jessica Curl, Eve Brantley, Stephanie R. Rogers

Journal of Extension

Private well owners comprise approximately 15% of the United States (US) population and are responsible for managing their well water. Management of domestic wells can be burdensome, requires knowledge, and is critical for maintaining clean drinking water. Management resources vary by state and the resource landscape across the US is unclear. Thus, our objective was to inventory where resources exist, while also highlighting geographic areas that may need improved resources to ensure that people have the ability to safely manage their drinking water. Results of this inventory showed that 64% of states have programs; 72% of which were Cooperative Extension.

Treated Wastewater Reuse For Non-Direct Food Consumption Crops In Nebraska: Barriers And Benefits Of Municipal Irrigation Lagoons, Sussan Moussavi, Bruce Dvorak

Journal of Extension

Reusing treated wastewater for agricultural purposes can provide local benefits to small, rural communities. Additionally, irrigation lagoons can be an attractive wastewater treatment technology in areas with high agriculture demands and low water availability. This descriptive study used stakeholder discussions to identify barriers and benefits of irrigation lagoons. Dissemination materials were developed to help Extension professionals distribute information regarding these systems to the communities they work closely with.

Understanding The Accuracy And Best Use Of The Woodland Stick As A Tree Height And Diameter Measurement Tool: A Case Study In Oregon, Francisca Belart, Lauren Grand, Alicia Christiansen

Journal of Extension

We conducted a study to assess the accuracy of the Woodland Stick in determining tree diameter and height as compared to professional measurements and how bias can affect tree volume calculation. After comparing professional measurements with five non-professionals (NP’s) using the Woodland Stick, we found that three out of five NP’s had significant differences in mean dbh, and all of the NP’s had significant differences in mean total height. The overall bias for dbh across users was +0.5 inches and +5.1 ft for height. These deviations can result in volume differences between 0 and 30 bf on a single tree.

Perceived Healthfulness Of The Environment Of Communities With Low Income: Focus Groups And Interviews With Extension Nutrition Educators, Elder Garcia Varela, Jamie Zeldman, Jade Mcnamara, Jesse S. Morrell, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Melissa D. Olfert, Tandalayo Kidd, Kendra Kattelmann, Geoffrey Greene, Karla P. Shelnutt, Sarah Colby

Journal of Extension

This study explored Extension nutrition educators’ (NEs) perceptions of community members’ challenges and opportunities for achieving a healthy lifestyle. NEs represented various communities with low income across nine states. NEs across locations identified similar barriers (i.e., lack of access and availability of healthy and affordable foods; access to transportation; and financial insecurity) and opportunities (i.e., trustworthy and free nutrition education resources and programs; and access to food banks, food pantries, and health care professionals) that prevented or facilitated a healthful lifestyle. Future research should explore key community stakeholder and community member perceptions to guide the development of community-driven interventions.

Youth Public Speaking Self-Efficacy Survey Tool, Roshan Nayak, Steven M. Worker, Nicole Marshall-Wheeler

Journal of Extension

Extension has a role to play in workforce development by preparing the next generation to be successful communicators. While Extension 4-H youth programs have contributed to public speaking development since their inception, there has not been a validated instrument to assess young people’s public speaking self-efficacy. We utilized an iterative-scale development process to develop, test, and refine such a tool. We hope youth development professionals will consider using the Youth Public Speaking Self-Efficacy (PSSE) survey tool to measure and report youth’s PSSE skills, along with the sources influencing these skills, to help with program planning, implementation, and professional development activities.

Leveraging Community Partnerships And Resources To Address Food Insecurity In A Rural County During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kristen Johnson, Amy Elizer, Karen L. Franck, Soghra Jarvandi

Journal of Extension

Extension professionals are skilled at connecting with community partners and community members to identify needs and address challenges. This paper outlines how Extension professionals quickly responded to address rising rates of food insecurity in a rural Tennessee County during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through an extensive network of state, regional, and local partners, Extension professionals and partners planned and implemented mobile food distributions through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families program. These Extension-led efforts resulted in sustainable, community-driven initiatives to improve food insecurity. Lessons learned can help Extension professionals respond to emerging needs.

Findings From A National Assessment To Support Implementation Of Cooperative Extension’S 2021 National Framework For Health Equity And Well-Being, Diana Charbonneau, Kerry Gabbert, Latoya O'Neal, Dawn E. Burton, Maggie Jones, Kate Katzman, Roger Rennekamp

Journal of Extension

Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being provides a roadmap for improving the health of communities. Core concepts include installing health equity a systemwide value and catalyzing community-level changes that ensure all people have an opportunity to be as healthy as they can. This article presents findings from a national readiness assessment for implementing the Framework across Extension. Results from a literature scan, national survey, and regional listening sessions identified internal facilitators and barriers to adoption. The article provides ideas for how Extension practitioners can engage in this work and shares an action plan developed from assessment results.

Promoting Digital Agriculture Adoption In Community-Based Agricultural Organizations, Jean Hardy, Abbey Palmer

Journal of Extension

Existing research and practice related to digital agriculture technology adoption is largely focused on large-scale producers. In this paper, we describe a case of adopting an advanced soil monitoring system in a community-based agricultural organization. We provide guidance for Extension professionals seeking to implement or promote digital agriculture technology adoption on: selecting appropriate technology, incorporating new technology into existing practices, harnessing local technology champions, and avoiding data-driven mission creep.

Promoting Equity: Embracing Food Justice In The Transformation Of The Food Systems For Bipoc Communities, Frank Yeboah Adusei

Journal of Extension

The food justice movement addresses systemic food inequities impacting BIPOC communities, rooted in civil rights and environmental justice movements. It advocates for fair access to culturally relevant food, combating food deserts, and promoting food sovereignty. Recognizing intersectionality, it emphasizes collaboration to dismantle systemic barriers. This study aims to understand BIPOC communities' challenges and effective strategies, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts for lasting systemic change. Extension professionals face challenges but can contribute through equity-focused strategies, community engagement, and partnerships, advancing food justice and fostering inclusive food systems.

Beer And Biology, A Perfect Pairing: Using Beer To Spread Awareness About Invasive Species, Samuel Nutile, Adam Simpson, Sara Stahlman, Lynne E. Beaty

Journal of Extension

Managing the spread of introduced invasive species relies on educating recreationists that currently or potentially harbor such species. By partnering with a local brewery, we developed the Lagers for Lakes Draft Series to facilitate outreach about aquatic invasive species in Erie, Pennsylvania. To date, Lagers for Lakes drafts and associated launch events have reached over 230 individuals and increased awareness of invasive species by 86%. With the materials provided here and the lessons learned from these events, we hope similar outreach efforts can be developed elsewhere to educate and minimize the spread of invasive species.

Building Resilience To Public Safety Power Shutoffs Through Public Education, Vikram Koundinya, Cristina Chiarella, Susan Kocher, Faith Kearns, Sabrina Drill

Journal of Extension

Public Safety Power Shutoff events are being implemented in California to reduce wildfire impacts. We surveyed California residents to identify their information needs and understand the potential role of University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) in power shutoff management. A majority of respondents need information on alternative power sources and community power systems. Most respondents indicated family, friends, and neighbors as the important group to manage power shutoff. UCCE was least used and preferred source for power shutoff information. Our findings reveal a need for Cooperative Extension to play an important role in power shutoff management and educating the public.

The Birds And The Bees: Teaching Parents How To Educate Their Children About Sex, Tonya Pell, Courtney Aldrich

Journal of Extension

Parent educators at Michigan State University Extension have had great success with their Extension Extras Parenting Hour series which began in 2020. The series is organized every quarter, meets weekly, and changes topics every week. The 90 minute class covers a range of parenting topics from positive discipline, talking to children about race, early literacy, and now, due to a need being identified and addressed, how to educate children about sex and sexuality. This new topic to the series has received positive feedback from participants and has led to community organizations asking for similar classes and support from the team.

Examining Influences On Cotton And Peanut Farmers’ Intentions To Adopt Agricultural Best Management Practices In Southeast Georgia, William R. Taylor, Abigail Borron, Jessica Holt, Walter Scott Monfort

Journal of Extension

Various factors have been found to influence farmers’ adoption of best management practices. This study examines the influences on farmers’ intentions to adopt best management practices by using an extended model of the theory of planned behavior. This descriptive exploratory study surveyed Georgia cotton and peanut farmers (N = 41). Findings revealed farmers had positive attitudes toward best management practices and showed that the use of best management practices is aligned with farmers’ intrinsic motivations. Agricultural practitioners may enhance educational and outreach efforts by leveraging farmers’ motivations and necessary capacities as outlined in this study.

Welcome To The New Frontier: Introducing Extension To The Next Generation Of Conservation Planning Tools, Emma E. Bravard, Emily K. Zimmerman, John C. Tyndall, David James

Journal of Extension

A new frontier of conservation planning capacity utilizing innovative decision support tools has emerged. Extension professionals play an important role in using these new data and tools to achieve conservation and water quality outcomes. Here, we detail the application of two conservation planning tools: Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) and Financial and Nutrient Reduction Tool (FiNRT). Tools like these are increasingly being used to guide conservation efforts in agricultural landscapes; provide information regarding potential resource concern; and offer valuable data about outcomes from best management practice (BMP) placement. Extension professionals’ use of such tools could enhance conservation implementation and outcomes.

Potato University: An Interactive Framework To Engage And Educate Industry Stakeholders In Potato-Related Research, Jaime Willbur, Erin Burns

Journal of Extension

Understanding how farmers prefer to learn is critical for the development and delivery of successful extension programming. Therefore, Michigan State University Extension specialists conducted an interactive hands-on demonstration workshop (Potato University) addressing pressing issues to Michigan potato production at the Michigan Winter Potato Conference. The new session format emphasized alternative, hands-on research presentation formats and promoted small group interactions between researchers and stakeholders. Overall, we developed an alternative framework to deliver information in a novel format by highlighting research activities in an approachable format for stakeholders that better aligned Extension teaching styles with the learning styles of the potato industry.

Building Extension Professional’S Capacity To Engage Volunteers: Evaluation Of The Developmental Stages Of An Extension Professional Model, Kandi O'Neil, Rachelle Vettern, Rebecca Harrington, Sarah Maass, Patricia Mcglaughlin, Josset S. Gauley

Journal of Extension

The Developmental Stages of an Extension Professional (DSEP) model depicts how professionals can move through the stages of service, education, management, and leadership to build volunteer and program capacity. It encourages Extension professionals to assess the situation and adjust their leadership style.

Researchers used a mixed methods approach to assess Dr. James Rutledge’s DSEP model. Findings confirmed training Extension professionals in the DSEP model throughout the Achieving the Extension Mission through Volunteers course led to positive behavior change when working with volunteers. Extension needs to train professionals and utilize the DSEP model to build program capacity through volunteer engagement.

Increasing Wildfire Preparedness Through Defensible Space Training For The Private Sector, Christina Restaino, Spencer Eusden

Journal of Extension

There is a large effort across the United States to create fire adapted communities which are communities that are resilient to wildfire and are safe for firefighters to defend. These communities need adequate defensible space to become fire adapted, but the capacity to perform the work is low. A skilled workforce trained in defensible space can increase capacity and help communities be more prepared. We created a defensible space certification training program for landscape architects and contractors. The training is a way to increase our collective capacity to address the wildfire issue in Northern Nevada and across the West.

The Ins And Outs Of Language Translation And Interpretation Of Program Resources, Regina Mcgoff, Annalisa Hultberg, Stephen A. Kells

Journal of Extension

In an increasingly diverse country, creating Extension resources available in a variety of languages and formats is important for supporting learning by Limited English Proficient audiences and extending these impacts throughout the entire community. Learn tips from educational professionals who have created print and electronic resources in ten different languages to better support a diversity of stakeholders.

The Challenges Of Co-Developing Climate-Smart Strategies, Practices, And Technologies Among Research And Extension Teams, Michelle R. Worosz, Hannah Stewart, Mckayla Robinette, Brenda Ortiz, Rishi Prasad, Audrey Gambel, Leah Duzy

Journal of Extension

With climate-smart agriculture as the context, we explore one aspect of transdisciplinarity, the co-development of knowledge (CDK). Challenges were identified via matrix coding and word frequency queries of field day, meeting, and interview transcripts. Focusing on the Research-Extension team, we found they highly value collaboration and participatory-based projects, but developing trust-based relationships, enhancing long-term stakeholder investment, and understanding both team and stakeholder capacity was difficult. This paper informs transdisciplinary projects aimed at climate adaptation by illustrating the need for Research-Extension teams to take incremental steps towards CDK, to engage stakeholders before program planning, and to increase both interaction and reflexivity.

Competencies Essential For Early Career 4-H Agent Success, Andrew Toelle, Ed Osborne, Nick Place, Hannah Carter, Dale Pracht

Journal of Extension

The purpose of this study was to identify the competencies essential for Florida early career 4-H agent success. This four-round Delphi study asked three expert panels to identify the competencies required for Florida early career agent success in years one and three. The Delphi procedure is a multi-round consensus building process, with the preceding round dictating the questions asked in subsequent rounds (Werner, 2017). The panels identified 55 year-one and 67 year-three competencies that fell into 15 competency areas. These competencies can be used to develop professional training programs to meet the needs of early career agents.

Virtual Culinary Nutrition Education: Youth And Parent/Guardian Acceptability Of The Switch Cooking School, Summer Mcvicker, Laura Paulsen, Anna Mlodzik, Allison Henry, Maren Wolff

Journal of Extension

Face-to-face cooking programs can positively impact food choices, fruit and vegetable intake, and cooking self-efficacy; however, little is known about virtual cooking programs. We studied the perceived acceptability of the virtual SWITCH Cooking School (SCS). Four monthly cooking classes were offered for each participating school. Classes included nutrition education, food safety, and cooking demonstrations. Feedback was collected through post-class surveys and focus groups with parent/guardian and youth participants. Families valued the convenience of the virtual delivery and were interested in participating again. Future considerations for the SCS include incorporating additional variety of culinary skills and modifying registration methods.

Extension Education For Real Estate Professionals: Teaching Regulations And Sharing Resources That Protect Water Quality And Property Values, Linda Patterson, Shari Halik, Kristine F. Stepenuck

Journal of Extension

Real estate professionals can be an important source of information for home buyers and sellers about regulations and practices that protect water quality and properties from environmental damage. Lake Champlain Sea Grant (LCSG) Extension identified a deficit in real estate education covering these topics for real estate professionals. Accredited real estate workshops were initially developed by LCSG Extension and Vermont Agency of Natural Resources specialists. The program was later expanded to New York. Six-month follow-up surveys indicated that the majority of participants continued to use knowledge and tools gained in the workshops. Suggestions for replicating this program elsewhere are provided.

Beyond Direct Education And Facilitation: Revisiting The Role Of Extension In Community & Regional Food Systems Development, Catie M. Demets, Lindsey Day Farnsworth

Journal of Extension

The fundamental issues that community and regional food systems aim to address are inherently systems problems, yet many Extension programs continue to focus food system development efforts on activities and actors that directly support the food value chain. While important, the impact of these interventions is limited. Drawing from interviews with directors of four of the nation’s leading Community and Regional Food Systems Extension programs, this article makes a case for rethinking Extension’s role in community and regional food systems development in relationship to key leverage points through a typology of Extension roles and corresponding examples.

Removing Barriers To Create Sustainable Leaders In Extension: The Odyssey Of Leadership Development, Lauren Griffeth, Joel Burnsed

Journal of Extension

Leadership development programs are an exploratory journey that develop Extension faculty to better themselves in service to the organization. In an effort to mitigate potential barriers for participants, it is imperative that organizations work to create conditions conducive for success. We posit barriers for extension professionals include, participants having a fixed-mindset (Dweck, 2016), time constraints (Lindle, 2015; McAlearney, 2006), and the employee burnout epidemic (Fisher, 2018; Seppala & Moeller, 2021). Proactively working against common negative influences, sets up leadership program participants to become more fully immersed in learning and subsequently have a better chance for a positive behavior change.

Aviateok: A Stem App To Increase K-12 Student Engagement In The Aviation And Aerospace Industry, Irene Miller, Amy Rutledge, Timm Bliss

Journal of Extension

STEM industries are driving technological and economic growth across the globe. To remain competitive, the U.S. needs to focus on the advancement of STEM education and develop a sustainable pipeline to provide a well-qualified workforce to STEM-related industries. The Department of Aviation and Space Education (AVED) at Oklahoma State University (OSU) has developed aviateOK, which is a STEM application, to provide aviation/aerospace content to students, parents, and extension educators. The aviateOK STEM application promotes extension education by providing access to free activities and resources for grades K-12. AviateOK equips 4-H youth programs with the resources needed for extension educators to …