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Journal of Extension

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Better Crunching: Recommendations For Multivariate Data Analysis Approaches For Program Impact Evaluations, Marc T. Braverman Jun 2016

Better Crunching: Recommendations For Multivariate Data Analysis Approaches For Program Impact Evaluations, Marc T. Braverman

Journal of Extension

Extension program evaluations often present opportunities to analyze data in multiple ways. This article suggests that program evaluations can involve more sophisticated data analysis approaches than are often used. On the basis of a hypothetical program scenario and corresponding data set, two approaches to testing for evidence of program impact are compared. These approaches are (a) a bivariate approach involving contingency table analysis (chi-square, Kendall's tau tests) and (b) a multivariate approach involving logistic regression. Both approaches address the primary evaluation questions, but the multivariate approach introduces additional variables, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of program dynamics. Multivariate approaches …

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Rural Health Inequities And The Role Of Cooperative Extension, Lauri Andress, Cindy Fitch Jun 2016

Rural Health Inequities And The Role Of Cooperative Extension, Lauri Andress, Cindy Fitch

Journal of Extension

Health inequities affect communities through adverse health outcomes, lost productivity, and increased health care costs. They arise from unequal distribution of social determinants of health—the conditions in which people are born and live. Health outcomes, tied to behaviors and health care, also are rooted in location and social status. Cooperative Extension provides culturally appropriate programs that touch the places where individuals and families live. A history of promoting democracy through education makes Extension uniquely positioned to address health inequities and foster greater equality among groups that experience hardships as a result of differences in social, economic, and environmental determinants of …

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Food Safety Posters For Safe Handling Of Leafy Greens, Lakshman Rajagopal, Susan W. Arendt, Angela M. Shaw, Catherine H. Strohbehn, Kevin L. Sauer Apr 2016

Food Safety Posters For Safe Handling Of Leafy Greens, Lakshman Rajagopal, Susan W. Arendt, Angela M. Shaw, Catherine H. Strohbehn, Kevin L. Sauer

Journal of Extension

This article describes food safety educational tools depicting safe handling of leafy greens that are available as downloadable posters to Extension educators and practitioners (www.extension.iastate.edu). Nine visual-based minimal-text colored posters in English, Chinese, and Spanish were developed for use when formally or informally educating foodservice workers about safely handling leafy greens. A three-phase methodology included the use of expert knowledge, microbial sampling, and observational study in Iowa and Kansas foodservice operations. Use of the posters was shown to have positive impacts on both microbial levels and food safety behaviors, suggesting that the posters can be useful tools for Extension personnel.

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Physical Activity: A Tool For Improving Health (Part 3—Recommended Amounts Of Physical Activity For Optimal Health), Patrick J. Galloway, Nobuko Hongu Apr 2016

Physical Activity: A Tool For Improving Health (Part 3—Recommended Amounts Of Physical Activity For Optimal Health), Patrick J. Galloway, Nobuko Hongu

Journal of Extension

By promoting physical activities and incorporating them into their community-based programs, Extension professionals are improving the health of individuals, particularly those with limited resources. This article is the third in a three-part series describing the benefits of physical activity for human health: (1) biological health benefits of physical activity, (2) mental health benefits of physical activity, and (3) recommended amounts of physical activity for optimal health. Each part of the series is designed to help Extension professionals effectively integrate physical activity into community programs and motivate individuals to maintain an interest in being physically active during and after a program.

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The New Screen Time: Computers, Tablets, And Smartphones Enter The Equation, Bradford B. Wiles, Laura Schachtner, Julie L, Pentz Apr 2016

The New Screen Time: Computers, Tablets, And Smartphones Enter The Equation, Bradford B. Wiles, Laura Schachtner, Julie L, Pentz

Journal of Extension

Emerging technologies attract children and push parents' and caregivers' abilities to attend to their families. This article presents recommendations related to the new version of screen time, which includes time with computers, tablets, and smartphones. Recommendations are provided for screen time for very young children and those in middle and late childhood. Recommendations for screen time for adults—particularly important when adults are around their children—are included as well. In addition, the article provides information about integrating the recommendations into practice with Extension and other community audiences.

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Educating Farmers' Market Consumers On Best Practices For Retaining Maximum Nutrient And Phytonutrient Levels In Local Produce, Robin A. Ralston, Morgan Orr, Linnette M. Goard, Christopher A. Taylor, Dan Remley Apr 2016

Educating Farmers' Market Consumers On Best Practices For Retaining Maximum Nutrient And Phytonutrient Levels In Local Produce, Robin A. Ralston, Morgan Orr, Linnette M. Goard, Christopher A. Taylor, Dan Remley

Journal of Extension

Few farmers' market consumers are aware of how to retain optimal nutritional quality of produce following purchase. Our objective was to develop and evaluate educational materials intended to inform market consumers about best practices for storing, preserving, and consuming local produce to maximize nutrients and phytonutrients. Printed educational materials were developed and then evaluated via a survey of and interviews with Ohio farmers' market consumers. The materials were modified to reflect consumer comments, and finalized materials were distributed to farmers' markets throughout Ohio. The approach we used can be applied by other Extension professionals when developing educational materials for different …

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Personal Sustainability: Listening To Extension Staff And Observing Organizational Culture, Leslie Forstadt, Aileen Fortune Apr 2016

Personal Sustainability: Listening To Extension Staff And Observing Organizational Culture, Leslie Forstadt, Aileen Fortune

Journal of Extension

Extension staff are increasingly challenged to do excellent work and balance their lives. University of Maine Cooperative Extension committed to a 2-year participatory action research project to support staff and to an organizational climate that encourages personal sustainability. With tools from ethnography and appreciative inquiry, staff engaged with colleagues through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and informal conversations. This article describes the richness of the process, the methodology, and the findings. Actions began early, as awareness was raised and people felt empowered. Recommendations resulting from the project address ways to support work-life balance, collegiality and connection, and staff connection to organizational …

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Evaluation Of A Cooperative Extension Curriculum In Florida: Food Modification For Special Needs, Wendy J. Dahl, Amanda L. Ford, Allyson Radford, Nancy J. Gal Apr 2016

Evaluation Of A Cooperative Extension Curriculum In Florida: Food Modification For Special Needs, Wendy J. Dahl, Amanda L. Ford, Allyson Radford, Nancy J. Gal

Journal of Extension

State and national surveys of adult family care homes identified a strong need for education on texture-modified food preparation and the nutritional needs of older adults. An Extension curriculum, Food Modification for Special Needs, was developed to provide an overview of chewing and swallowing problems, food texture, pureed food preparation, and the nutritional needs of older adults as well as hands-on skill development. An evaluation demonstrated that use of the curriculum resulted in significant impacts among workshop participants on perceived knowledge and skills gained and implementation of skills learned. Further in-state and national dissemination of the Food Modification for Special …

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Ketso: A New Tool For Extension Professionals, James S. Bates Feb 2016

Ketso: A New Tool For Extension Professionals, James S. Bates

Journal of Extension

Extension professionals employ many techniques and tools to obtain feedback, input, information, and data from stakeholders, research participants, and program learners. An information-gathering tool called Ketso is described in this article. This tool and its associated techniques can be used in all phases of program development, implementation, evaluation, and analysis and can be particularly effective in engaging audiences. Examples of how Ketso has been used to conduct needs/interests assessments, brainstorm and generate ideas, and organize and plan are shared.

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Food Safety Education For Students And Workers In School Gardens And University Farms, John Dzubak, Angela Shaw, Catherine Strohbehn, Linda Naeve Feb 2016

Food Safety Education For Students And Workers In School Gardens And University Farms, John Dzubak, Angela Shaw, Catherine Strohbehn, Linda Naeve

Journal of Extension

The number of school gardens and university farms is increasing in the United States. Produce grown in these venues is often sampled in the classroom or incorporated into the food chain. Food safety education for students and workers is needed to ensure that produce is safe. Two 1-hr food safety curricula were developed to inform K–12 students and university farm researchers and workers about good agricultural practices. The validated curricula include four or five short video modules, activities, instructor/facilitator lesson plans, knowledge assessment quizzes, and instructor manuals. Piloting results indicated that participants increased food safety knowledge after viewing these curricula.

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The Usda's Healthy Eating On A Budget Program: Making Better Eating Decisions On A Budget, Alexandra M. Franklin, Nobuko Hongu Feb 2016

The Usda's Healthy Eating On A Budget Program: Making Better Eating Decisions On A Budget, Alexandra M. Franklin, Nobuko Hongu

Journal of Extension

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched a new interactive online program titled Healthy Eating on a Budget. It is an addition to the popular ChooseMyPlate.gov programs, such as the SuperTracker program. The Healthy Eating on a Budget program helps consumers plan, purchase, and prepare healthful meals. This article discusses materials and resources that are available as part of the Healthy Eating on a Budget program and provides suggestions for ways in which Extension professionals who teach consumers how to improve their nutrition and make nutrition affordable can use the program.

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Meals Plus Program—An Innovative Approach For Providing Local Produce To Meals On Wheels Clients, Katie Wagner Feb 2016

Meals Plus Program—An Innovative Approach For Providing Local Produce To Meals On Wheels Clients, Katie Wagner

Journal of Extension

Extension programming often strives to achieve maximum impact on a minimum budget, but when it comes to sourcing local produce, asking farmers to donate sellable commodity can result in a dip into their profits. By connecting community partners, Extension can facilitate collaborations that work in the favor of all participating parties and ultimately provide a valuable service. This model was implemented in the development of the Meals Plus program, an add-on service to Salt Lake County Meals on Wheels (MOW). The Meals Plus program delivered 130–160 shares of local produce weekly to MOW clients during Salt Lake County's 5-month farmers' …

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Physical Activity: A Tool For Improving Health (Part 2—Mental Health Benefits), Patrick J. Gallaway, Nobuko Hongu Feb 2016

Physical Activity: A Tool For Improving Health (Part 2—Mental Health Benefits), Patrick J. Gallaway, Nobuko Hongu

Journal of Extension

By promoting physical activities and incorporating them into their community-based programs, Extension professionals are improving the health of individuals, particularly those with limited resources. This article is the second in a three-part series describing the benefits of physical activity for human health: (1) biological health benefits of physical activity, (2) mental health benefits of physical activity, and (3) recommended amounts of physical activity for optimal health. Each part of the series is designed to help Extension professionals effectively integrate physical activity into community programs and motivate individuals to maintain an interest in being physically active during and after a program.

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Assessing The Profitability Of Guava Production In South Florida Under Risk And Uncertainty, Edward A. Evans, Stella Garcia Feb 2016

Assessing The Profitability Of Guava Production In South Florida Under Risk And Uncertainty, Edward A. Evans, Stella Garcia

Journal of Extension

This article discusses an assessment of the profitability of operating a 5-acre Thai guava orchard in South Florida. The assessment used simulation techniques to incorporate yield and price risks. The article also demonstrates the use of a stoplight chart, an approach Extension agents might adopt to aid clients' decision making. The stoplight chart presents the results of the analysis, which indicate a 2% chance that the grower would experience a negative return/loss (red), a 21% chance that the return would be greater than $0 but less than $8,450 (yellow), and a 77% chance that the return would be greater than …

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Cooperative Extension Answers The Call To Action To Support Breastfeeding, Michelle F. Brill Feb 2016

Cooperative Extension Answers The Call To Action To Support Breastfeeding, Michelle F. Brill

Journal of Extension

Extension has many opportunities to promote breastfeeding, one of the most highly effective preventive measures a mother can take to protect the health of her infant and herself. This article describes how and why Cooperative Extension can and should partner with federal and state efforts to promote breastfeeding. Members of Rutgers' Family and Community Health Sciences department served on state work groups to identify and implement evidence-based strategies for promoting breastfeeding in health care, child care, and work site settings. Extension is an important public health partner, providing technical assistance, content expertise, and resources that meet the needs of communities.

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Interdisciplinary Professional Development Needs Of Cooperative Extension Field Educators, Travis Sondgerath Feb 2016

Interdisciplinary Professional Development Needs Of Cooperative Extension Field Educators, Travis Sondgerath

Journal of Extension

The study discussed in this article sought to identify cross-program professional development needs of county-based Extension professionals (field educators). The study instrument was completed by 105 county-based Extension professionals. Interdisciplinary topics, such as program evaluation and volunteer management, were identified as subjects of needed professional development for the Extension professionals whose sole program area was Economic and Community Development. Extension professionals in both the Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Health and Human Sciences program areas tended not to identify topics from each other's program areas as subjects of needed professional development.

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Systematic Approach To Food Safety Education On The Farm, Angela Shaw, Catherine Strohbelhn, Linda Naeve, Paul Domoto, Lester A. Wilson Dec 2015

Systematic Approach To Food Safety Education On The Farm, Angela Shaw, Catherine Strohbelhn, Linda Naeve, Paul Domoto, Lester A. Wilson

Journal of Extension

Food safety education from farm to end user is essential in the mitigation of food safety concerns associated with fresh produce. Iowa State University developed a multi-disciplinary three-level sequential program ("Know," "Show," "Go") to provide a holistic approach to food safety education. This program provides knowledge on GAP (Know); guides development and documentation of food safety practices (Show); and aids in grower's readiness for third party auditing (Go). Evaluations suggest this program is effective in changing long term food safety knowledge, attitude, and behaviors. The multi-disciplinary sequential approach can be used by other Extension programs to reach.

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Cooking Matters At The Store: A Case Study Of Three Missouri Counties, Melissa M. Bess Dec 2015

Cooking Matters At The Store: A Case Study Of Three Missouri Counties, Melissa M. Bess

Journal of Extension

Cooking Matters at the Store is a grocery store tour where participants learned about healthy eating and tips for saving money on food purchases. Participants learned how to read food labels, compare unit prices, find whole grains, and three ways to purchase produce. Evaluations revealed that participants planned to use the information they learned and enjoyed the tour. A partnership with a grocery store manager is vital for the success of the program. The program incentives and working with a store that serves limited-resource audiences helped reach the intended audience.

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"Clickers" And Haccp: Educating A Diverse Food Industry Audience With Technology, Angela Shaw, Aubrey Mendonca, Aura Daraba Dec 2015

"Clickers" And Haccp: Educating A Diverse Food Industry Audience With Technology, Angela Shaw, Aubrey Mendonca, Aura Daraba

Journal of Extension

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a systematic approach to food safety education for the food industry. To receive a HACCP certificate, participants must receive an 80% or higher on the final examination. Language barriers, educational levels, and age have been noted as primary reasoning's for not passing the final examination. Clicker technology has been shown to improve knowledge transfer to students in various classroom settings. Incorporation of mock final examination questions using Clickers into a traditional HACCP course has been shown in a small pilot study to increase the pass rate.

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Application Of Implan To Extension Programs: Economic Impacts Of The University Of Arizona Cooperative Extension Snap-Ed Spending, Ashley Kerna, George Frisvold, Laurel Jacobs, Vanessa A. Farrell, Linda Houtkooper, Scottie Misner Dec 2015

Application Of Implan To Extension Programs: Economic Impacts Of The University Of Arizona Cooperative Extension Snap-Ed Spending, Ashley Kerna, George Frisvold, Laurel Jacobs, Vanessa A. Farrell, Linda Houtkooper, Scottie Misner

Journal of Extension

Many Extension programs are turning to the input-output software IMPLAN to demonstrate economic impacts. IMPLAN is a powerful tool that can be used to estimate the total economic activity associated with an industry, event, or policy. One possible application, therefore, is to use program spending data to estimate the economic effects of Extension's presence in the region. Yet results should be interpreted with care because they can report gross‑rather than net—economic effects. This article provides an example of IMPLAN application by estimating the net change in state economic activity resulting from University of Arizona Cooperative Extension SNAP-Ed spending.

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Extension Professionals And Community Coalitions: Professional Development Opportunities Related To Leadership And Policy, System, And Environment Change, Carol A. Smathers, Jennifer M. Lobb Dec 2015

Extension Professionals And Community Coalitions: Professional Development Opportunities Related To Leadership And Policy, System, And Environment Change, Carol A. Smathers, Jennifer M. Lobb

Journal of Extension

Community coalitions play an important role in communitywide strategies to promote health and wellbeing, and Extension professionals may provide leadership, technical assistance, and other support to coalitions. Extension professionals across a Midwestern state were invited to participate in an online survey about their coalition involvement and related training needs. The results of the study reported here describe the nature of Extension professionals' work within community coalitions; identify gaps in knowledge particularly related to policy, system, and environment change (PSEC) strategies; and point to professional development opportunities that will improve Extension's ability to work effectively within community coalitions.

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Best Practices In Community Garden Management To Address Participation, Water Access, And Outreach, Luke Drake, Laura Lawson Dec 2015

Best Practices In Community Garden Management To Address Participation, Water Access, And Outreach, Luke Drake, Laura Lawson

Journal of Extension

As community gardens expand across the U.S., Extension professionals can support them not only in horticultural education but also in planning and organization. Knowledge of community garden management is helpful in this regard. Existing research focuses on outcomes and criteria for successful gardens, but is less clear about how community gardens work. We use ethnographic methods to examine community garden management in New Jersey. Spatial and social contexts shape key issues such as water access, participation, and horticultural techniques. Extension professionals can more effectively support community gardens by tailoring their advice to these contexts.

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Infographics: An Innovative Tool To Capture Consumers" Attention, Kelly Niebaum, Leslie Cunningham-Sabo, Ja.N Carroll, Laura Bellows Dec 2015

Infographics: An Innovative Tool To Capture Consumers" Attention, Kelly Niebaum, Leslie Cunningham-Sabo, Ja.N Carroll, Laura Bellows

Journal of Extension

Using infographics as educational tools has emerged as a strategy to reach consumers in today's information-saturated environment. Through the use of engaging and informative graphics, educators can deliver meaningful messages tailored to targeted audiences. Varying types of effectively designed infographics can be used to capture the attention of consumers by: telling a story, clarifying complex information with evidence-based information or research findings, using innovative design, and reaching targeted audiences in easily accessible places. Combining innovative infographic design and targeted dissemination strategies, Extension educators can capture consumers' attention and deliver clear messages to improve communication with consumers.

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Physical Activity: A Tool For Improving Health (Part 1—Biological Health Benefits, Patrick J. Gallaway, Nobuko Hongu Dec 2015

Physical Activity: A Tool For Improving Health (Part 1—Biological Health Benefits, Patrick J. Gallaway, Nobuko Hongu

Journal of Extension

Extension educators have been promoting and incorporating physical activities into their community-based programs and improving the health of individuals, particularly those with limited resources. This article is the first of a three-part series describing the benefits of physical activity for human health: 1) biological health benefits of physical activity, 2) mental health benefits of physical activity, and 3) recommended amounts of physical activity for optimal health. Each part of the series is designed to help Extension educators effectively integrate physical activity into community programs and motivate individuals to maintain an interest in being physically active during and after the program.

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Incorporating Nutrition Education Classes Into Food Pantry Settings: Lessons Learned In Design And Implementation, Annie Hardison-Moody, Sarah Bowen, J Dara Bloom, Marissa Sheldon, Lorelei Jones, Brandi Leach Dec 2015

Incorporating Nutrition Education Classes Into Food Pantry Settings: Lessons Learned In Design And Implementation, Annie Hardison-Moody, Sarah Bowen, J Dara Bloom, Marissa Sheldon, Lorelei Jones, Brandi Leach

Journal of Extension

The project reported here evaluated the effectiveness of nutrition education at food pantries. We offer best practices for future Extension-based nutrition programming with this clientele. Three classes were offered at food pantries through the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). Entry and exit surveys were collected for each series, including 24-hour food recalls. Seventy-three percent of participants reported an increase in vegetable consumption, and 82% reported positive changes in consumption of at least one food group. Nutrition education in food pantries is promising, particularly for Extension-led programs like SNAP-Ed and EFNEP, to address nutrition behaviors among food insecure populations.

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Writing Panels Articulate Extension Public Value In The West, Ja.N B. Carroll, Roxie Rogers Dinstel, Linda Marie Manton Dec 2015

Writing Panels Articulate Extension Public Value In The West, Ja.N B. Carroll, Roxie Rogers Dinstel, Linda Marie Manton

Journal of Extension

In every era, publically funded programs seek to document their value. During the centennial celebrations of Cooperative Extension's legislation and establishment, this cry for data became even louder and the demand more intense. The Western Extension Directors Association (WEDA) tasked their Western Region Program Leadership Committee (WRPLC) to determine common measures in hopes that 15 Western States could aggregate data and effectively present results of Extension's work to stakeholders. Panels of experts from western land-grant universities were convened for an orientation to public value and a 24-hour "lock down" writing session. This tool resulted in six formatted white papers.

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Offering A Free Online Program To Maintain Weight Over The Holiday Season, Madison Johnson, Carolyn Dunn, Cathy Thomas, Surabhi Aggarwal, Kelly Nordby, Sam Thompson, Sarah Myer Oct 2015

Offering A Free Online Program To Maintain Weight Over The Holiday Season, Madison Johnson, Carolyn Dunn, Cathy Thomas, Surabhi Aggarwal, Kelly Nordby, Sam Thompson, Sarah Myer

Journal of Extension

The Holiday Challenge is a free weight maintenance program offered from Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve. Ninety-three percent of participants maintained or lost weight during the 2014 Holiday Challenge, and 99% said they were very likely to somewhat likely to participate again in the 2015 Holiday Challenge.

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Using Consumer Input To Guide The Development Of A Nutrition And Health Website, Laura Bellows, Jessica Clifford, Elisa Shackelton Oct 2015

Using Consumer Input To Guide The Development Of A Nutrition And Health Website, Laura Bellows, Jessica Clifford, Elisa Shackelton

Journal of Extension

Consumers want timely, research-based information available online. The project objective was to develop a user-friendly nutrition and health website for Colorado Extension consumers. An electronic survey (n=381) was administered to current and potential Extension consumers to understand their: use of the Web and electronic devices; topics of interest; and preferred mode of information delivery. Results, in conjunction with best practices for website usability and health literacy, were used to develop the Live Eat Play Colorado website. Audience-centered websites with content packaged in small doses and delivered via multiple modalities may enhance reach and use of university and Extension resources.

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Farm-To-Hospital Research Findings Point To Opportunities For Extension, Brian Raison Oct 2015

Farm-To-Hospital Research Findings Point To Opportunities For Extension, Brian Raison

Journal of Extension

Extension has a history of local foods programming around farm to institution. But connections with hospitals, an industry sector with significant potential for increased local food purchasing, appear limited. Hospital outreach could provide inroads for patient and employee education around healthy eating. But does Extension know how to engage healthcare foodservice? Do hospital foodservice directors have knowledge of Extension? This article focuses on intersections at which Extension can approach hospitals to help improve health and the economy through local foods. It is based on findings excerpted from a comprehensive Ohio hospital foodservice director study (n=155) conducted in late 2014.

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Growing Healthy Kids: A School Enrichment Nutrition Education Program To Promote Healthy Behaviors For Children, Alyssa Vierregger, Johnna Hall, Natalie Sehi, Mary Abbott, Karen Wobig, Julie A. Albrecht, Mindy Anderson-Knott, Wanda M. Koszewski Oct 2015

Growing Healthy Kids: A School Enrichment Nutrition Education Program To Promote Healthy Behaviors For Children, Alyssa Vierregger, Johnna Hall, Natalie Sehi, Mary Abbott, Karen Wobig, Julie A. Albrecht, Mindy Anderson-Knott, Wanda M. Koszewski

Journal of Extension

The Growing Healthy Kids Program is a school-based nutrition education program that teaches students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade about healthy eating, physical activity, and how their body uses food. Pre- and post-knowledge data is collected from the students to measure changes in nutrition knowledge. In the first 2 years of the program, significant improvements in nutrition knowledge were found in all three grades. Teachers reported that students were more aware of the importance of nutrition and were making healthier meal and/or snack choices at the end of the program.

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