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Journal of Extension

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Factor Analysis Adds New Dimension To Extension Surveys, J Reynaldo A. Santos, Max D. Clegg Oct 1999

Factor Analysis Adds New Dimension To Extension Surveys, J Reynaldo A. Santos, Max D. Clegg

Journal of Extension

Survey has been one of the most popularly used research and evaluation tools in extension work. Traditional approach to survey analysis involves the use of frequency counts, t-test, correlation, and measures of central tendency. One procedure often left out, if not totally ignored because of its reputed complexity, is factor analysis. Factor analysis is a variable-reduction statistical technique capable of probing underlying relationships in variables using Likert-type scales. The procedure essentially removes metric redundancies from a survey and extracts the common thread that binds a set of observed variables together. The analysis can be implemented using a powerful SAS(R) procedure, …

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Stakeholder Satisfaction With A 4-H Extension Program For Five- To Eight-Year-Old Children, Scott D. Scheer, Kenneth R. Lafontaine Oct 1999

Stakeholder Satisfaction With A 4-H Extension Program For Five- To Eight-Year-Old Children, Scott D. Scheer, Kenneth R. Lafontaine

Journal of Extension

Stakeholder evaluations are essential for modifying or adjusting a program to ensure it is meeting its goals. A sample of 277 parents, 144 volunteers, and 44 agents/program assistants were surveyed to determine the perceived value and acceptance level of Ohio's 4-H K-2 program and its curriculum. The results were clear. The stakeholders of Ohio's 4-H program believe it is beneficial and effective for improving life skills for five- to eight-year-old children. Other states could benefit from using stakeholder evaluations to determine the immediate concerns of the people directly involved in the success or failure of a program.

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Gathering Food And Nutrition Information From Migrant Farmworker Children Through In-Depth Interviews, Amy Fishman, Karl Pearson, Marla Reicks Oct 1999

Gathering Food And Nutrition Information From Migrant Farmworker Children Through In-Depth Interviews, Amy Fishman, Karl Pearson, Marla Reicks

Journal of Extension

As educators target the growing population of children of migrant farmworkers with nutrition education programs, information about educational needs related to nutrition and food safety knowledge and food purchasing and preparation responsibilities is needed. Individual interviews were conducted with 22 children (9-12 years old) in migrant work camps. Most children were significantly involved in food preparation activities, but to a limited extent in food purchasing activities. Most had learned food preparation skills at home, but did not verbalize preparing or planning meals based on knowledge of nutrition or food safety.

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Effective Use Of Risk Communication Strategies For Health & Safety Educational Materials, Scott Hutcheson Oct 1999

Effective Use Of Risk Communication Strategies For Health & Safety Educational Materials, Scott Hutcheson

Journal of Extension

Risk communication strategies can help increase the effectiveness with which educators, specialist communicate with audiences about human health and safety. This publication outlines specific techniques and strategies to motivate people to take action, calm people down when they are enraged, and to communicate information that may be difficult to understand. Many programming areas, agriculture and natural resources, community development, consumer and family sciences, and 4-H and youth each deal with risk-related subject areas. The application of strategies like those outlined in this publication can help to increase the effectiveness with which health and safety programs are developed and delivered.

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4-H Projects: Is Completion Important?, Jean M. Woloshuk, Guendoline Brown, Gena D. Wagaman Oct 1999

4-H Projects: Is Completion Important?, Jean M. Woloshuk, Guendoline Brown, Gena D. Wagaman

Journal of Extension

There are, by policy, no standards or requirements for 4-H membership that compels an individual to complete a project. This baseline study gained information on project completion of two project areas in 1996-1997 in West Virginia: 4-H animal science and food preparation. Data were collected and analyzed from reviews of 7,569 project enrollment forms from 45 projects. The overall completion rate was 67.3%. Results of this study provide direction for defining project completion and its importance in providing a viable educational program for 4-H youth. Further inquiry into factors affecting completion of 4-H projects needs to be made. Completion rate …

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Land Grant University Information Delivery Through Automated Telephone Message Services In The United States, Debby Newman Oct 1999

Land Grant University Information Delivery Through Automated Telephone Message Services In The United States, Debby Newman

Journal of Extension

At least 15 states have offered information delivery through prerecorded telephone messages to answer repetitive questions. The public's response in different states varies from less than 100 to over 50,000 inquiries per year. Factors that determine usage include marketing, population, and availability of current scripts. States have shared scripts and a few have combined audio services with adjoining states. In response to the United State's 11% Hispanic Latino population, some are translating scripts into Spanish. To contain costs, a network could be formed. This group could share subject matter, communication needs of emerging populations, and marketing and product ideas.

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New England Integrated Pest Manual Scouting Guide For Poinsettias, Leanne Pundt Aug 1999

New England Integrated Pest Manual Scouting Guide For Poinsettias, Leanne Pundt

Journal of Extension

New England Integrated Pest Management for Poinsettias - A Manual for Growers and Scouts, is available for $10.00 per copy (U.S. funds) from the University of Connecticut, Office of Communications and Information Technology, U-35, 1376 Storrs Road, Storrs CT 06269-4035. The 30-page reference manual covers scouting for key insects, diseases and nutritional disorders. It was designed for use by growers, scouts, and Extension agents in the field. Two summary tables provide an overview of the scouting process. Sample scouting forms and a listing of New England diagnostic laboratories are included.

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Building An Asset-Based Program For 4-H, Daniel F. Perkins, Judith R. Butterfield Aug 1999

Building An Asset-Based Program For 4-H, Daniel F. Perkins, Judith R. Butterfield

Journal of Extension

The aim of this study is two-fold: (a) to identify strong and weak assets of youth in Duval County 4-H; and (b) to design an asset-based programming focus. The data for this study were collected through a survey administered to 151 4-H'ers from eleven 4-H clubs in Duval County. Using the Search Institute's Attitudes and Behaviors survey, baseline information about assets was analyzed to provide direction for programming. Implications from this study are discussed in terms of creating positive youth development programs that focus on increasing the assets of young people.

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A Model Train-The-Trainer Program For Haccp-Based Food Safety Training In The Retail/Food Service Industry: An Evaluation, Kenneth E. Martin, Steve Knabel, Von Mendenhall Jun 1999

A Model Train-The-Trainer Program For Haccp-Based Food Safety Training In The Retail/Food Service Industry: An Evaluation, Kenneth E. Martin, Steve Knabel, Von Mendenhall

Journal of Extension

A Train-the-Trainer model program is presented for HACCP-based training in the retail/food service industry. With over 50% of the consumer food service dollar spent on eating out, food safety is an important concern in the food service industry. Results of a 50-state survey indicate that states are adopting increased training and certification requirements for food service managers and employees. Providers of food safety training are identified, preferences for types of educational resources are indicated, and impacts of the training effort in the food service establishments of participants are presented.

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Area Of Expertise Teams: The Michigan Approach To Applied Research And Extension, Arlen Leholm, Larry Hamm, Murari Suvedi, Ian Gray Jun 1999

Area Of Expertise Teams: The Michigan Approach To Applied Research And Extension, Arlen Leholm, Larry Hamm, Murari Suvedi, Ian Gray

Journal of Extension

Michigan State University's Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station have restructured their educational delivery system through implementation of area of expertise (AOE) teams. The AOE teams are different from most Extension teams in that they are more permanent in their life span; more self-directed in their operation; more tightly linked with public leaders and groups; more integrative of research demonstration, education design, delivery and evaluation; more dedicated to enhancing their knowledge skills and capacity; and more empowered with resources. This article describes how the adoption of AOE team approach and related system changes have created the seamless interface between Extension …

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The Children, Youth, And Families At Risk (Cyfar) Evaluation Collaboration, Lydia I. Marek, Richard Aw Byrne, Mary S. Marczak, Sherry C. Betts Jun 1999

The Children, Youth, And Families At Risk (Cyfar) Evaluation Collaboration, Lydia I. Marek, Richard Aw Byrne, Mary S. Marczak, Sherry C. Betts

Journal of Extension

The Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Evaluation Collaboration is comprised of a team of Extension professionals and evaluation researchers from universities involved in CYFAR programs to work with CSREES staff to assist in sustaining the work of the CYFAR initiative, to assess program impact and organizational change, to build the evaluation capacity of Extension, and to provide information on how community-based projects can become institutionalized within CES or sustained within their communities. This article summarizes their current and future work towards these goals.

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Junior Master Gardeners[Tm] Program Addresses Youth Needs, Douglas F. Welsh, Lisa A. Whittlesey, Randy L. Seagraves, Gayle W. Hall Jun 1999

Junior Master Gardeners[Tm] Program Addresses Youth Needs, Douglas F. Welsh, Lisa A. Whittlesey, Randy L. Seagraves, Gayle W. Hall

Journal of Extension

The new JMGs[TM] - Junior Master Gardeners[TM] program is building on the success of the adult Master Gardener program in order to provide positive learning experiences for youth and to develop their leadership, responsibility and community pride through organized gardening activities.

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Food Safety Instructor Training Using Distance Education Jun 1999

Food Safety Instructor Training Using Distance Education

Journal of Extension

An instructor training program was designed to provide state mandated food safety updates for certified Food Protection Management (FPM) instructors using the Trans-Texas Videoconferencing Network (TTVN). The distance education train-the-trainer program featured innovative, interactive, computer-based instructional components including multimedia class materials and activities. A telephone survey of 89 participants indicated that videoconferencing was just as effective as face-to-face instruction and that there was a substantial increase in self-reported knowledge of food safety content after the training program.

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Assessing In-Service Education: Identifying Barriers To Success, Claudia C. Mincemoyer, Timothy W. Kelsey Apr 1999

Assessing In-Service Education: Identifying Barriers To Success, Claudia C. Mincemoyer, Timothy W. Kelsey

Journal of Extension

This study examined Pennsylvania's in-service education process for county Extension educators. All county educators were surveyed to determine preference for in-service delivery, format, and type, perceived amount of voice in determining in-service offerings, and reasons for not attending in-service training. Ways to integrate the in-service process into the plan of work process were also investigated. County Extension educators find it increasingly difficult to commit time to in-service education. They desire more distance-delivered training and an active voice in planning and selecting in-services. Changes made to Pennsylvania's in-service and plan of work processes as a result of this study are discussed.

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Development And Design Of A "Gateway" To Food Safety Information On The Internet For Extension Educators, Melissa C. Taylor, Patricia A. Curtis Apr 1999

Development And Design Of A "Gateway" To Food Safety Information On The Internet For Extension Educators, Melissa C. Taylor, Patricia A. Curtis

Journal of Extension

Consumer education is essential to decreasing food borne illness. Extension educators need food safety information that is both accurate and timely. Many are using the Internet as a tool for distance education, as it offers "just in time training" and information retrieval. The North Carolina CES developed a food safety information retrieval system on the Web. Upon completion, the system has received much national attention. It was rated "Among the Best" by Tufts University and featured as one of the top ten Web sites for food safety and nutrition information in a USA Today article.

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Using Video Of A Master Farmer To Teach Others, Jim G. Polson Apr 1999

Using Video Of A Master Farmer To Teach Others, Jim G. Polson

Journal of Extension

An inexpensively produced videotape of a master dairy farmer showing how he manages his dairy farm had a significant educational impact on other dairy farmers. A survey of farmers who watched the video showed that every dairy farmer identified something important they learned from watching it. Sixty-nine percent of them adopted one or more new practices in their business. Keys to successful video production were an articulate master farmer who uses innovative production practices; an inquisitive team of university faculty asking questions as they toured the farm, and careful preparation and use of audio and video equipment. Inexpensively produced videos …

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All Foods Can Fit - All People Can Fit: Using Plays About Food To Promote Healthy Eating And Body Image To Young Children, Katherine L. Cason Apr 1999

All Foods Can Fit - All People Can Fit: Using Plays About Food To Promote Healthy Eating And Body Image To Young Children, Katherine L. Cason

Journal of Extension

A majority of girls and young women struggle with body image, food and weight problems. Extension Educators have utilized "All Foods Can Fit - All People Can Fit," a musical production designed to help address the development of a healthy body image. Children learn that all foods can be a part of a healthy diet, and that regardless of one's physical appearance, all are equal. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods show that the messages of balance, variety, and moderation and healthy body image were received by a majority of the children.

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Cronbach's Alpha: A Tool For Assessing The Reliability Of Scales, J Reynaldo A. Santos Apr 1999

Cronbach's Alpha: A Tool For Assessing The Reliability Of Scales, J Reynaldo A. Santos

Journal of Extension

Summated scales are often used in survey instruments to probe underlying constructs that the researcher wants to measure. These may consist of indexed responses to dichotomous or multi-point questionnaires, which are later summed to arrive at a resultant score associated with a particular respondent. Usually, development of such scales is not the end of the research itself, but rather a means to gather predictor variables for use in objective models. However, the question of reliability rises as the function of scales is stretched to encompass the realm of prediction. One of the most popular reliability statistics in use today is …

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Money 2000: A Model Extension Program, Nancy M. Porter, Joyce H. Christenbury Feb 1999

Money 2000: A Model Extension Program, Nancy M. Porter, Joyce H. Christenbury

Journal of Extension

The Money 2000 program is designed to increase personal savings and/or reduce debt, ultimately enhancing the financial well-being of individuals and families. This article describes the following strategies utilized with the Money 2000 program: focusing programming, employing successful marketing strategies, engaging diverse audiences, and documenting impact. Analyzing these strategies will provide insights for developing and implementing other successful Extension programs.

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Native Americans' Interest In Horticulture, Mary Hockenberry Meyer Feb 1999

Native Americans' Interest In Horticulture, Mary Hockenberry Meyer

Journal of Extension

Focus groups held on two Native American reservations in Minnesota determined community members interest, value and desire for Extension horticultural programs. Using local Native American Master Gardeners to set up and assist with the meetings was imperative to success. Programs identified as of interest have now or will be offered include: 1) combined classes on gardening and food preservation; 2) historical Native American uses of plants ; and 3) an extensive list of many horticultural topics including home landscaping, small and tree fruits, and perennial flowers.

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Ag Day 1998, Robert F. Richard, Bobby Fletcher Jr Feb 1999

Ag Day 1998, Robert F. Richard, Bobby Fletcher Jr

Journal of Extension

The Extension staff in Iberia Parish (County) felt that in spite of having a population that is 44% rural, school children did not fully appreciate the value of agriculture to the parish. With the assistance of the school superintendent, local government and numerous other collaborators an Ag Day program was created for the parishes 1500 third grade students. Hands-on activities were used to supplement lesson plans provided to classroom teachers in a variety of subjects, ranging from food safety to wetlands conservation.

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Cloverbud Connections - A Newsletter Approach To Tuning In To Kids, Bruce P. Zimmer, Scott D. Scheer, Joyce A. Shriner Feb 1999

Cloverbud Connections - A Newsletter Approach To Tuning In To Kids, Bruce P. Zimmer, Scott D. Scheer, Joyce A. Shriner

Journal of Extension

This creative, innovative newsletter, based on current research and developmentally appropriate skills and abilities of five-to-eight year olds, helps 4-H Cloverbud volunteers tune in to kids. Through the headline article, activity section, campus connection, children's recipe, and guest articles, the quarterly newsletter teaches volunteers strategies to keep children engaged and meetings exciting. Developed in response to volunteer requests for more information and support in working with these young 4-H'ers, the newsletter was piloted in 16 Eastern Ohio counties during 1996 and has been distributed statewide since. Descriptive and qualitative evaluation statistics document the effectiveness of the newsletter.

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Changes And Challenges In 4-H (Part 2), Beth E. Van Horn, Connie A. Flanagan, Joan S. Thomson Feb 1999

Changes And Challenges In 4-H (Part 2), Beth E. Van Horn, Connie A. Flanagan, Joan S. Thomson

Journal of Extension

This is the second of a two-part series to address the history of 4-H and identify the changes and challenges of the future. This article reviews the changes and challenges documented in 4-H enrollment statistics (including rural, urban, and ethnic membership), financial support, volunteerism, Extension personnel, and teaching tools. Despite many challenges, these indicators suggest the 4-H program has numerous opportunities to remain a premier youth organization.

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Building Community Collaboration For Lead Safety Education: Extension Educators Take The Lead, Martha Lopez, Shirley S. Peterson, Arthur Craigmill, Nestor Martinez Feb 1999

Building Community Collaboration For Lead Safety Education: Extension Educators Take The Lead, Martha Lopez, Shirley S. Peterson, Arthur Craigmill, Nestor Martinez

Journal of Extension

Well-planned partnerships between Extension and community agencies expanded available resources for reaching populations at-risk for lead poisoning. The purpose of the project was to explore the possibilities of training extenders to deliver primary prevention information in Latino communities. The lowering of the baseline for childhood lead burden by the Centers for Disease Control increased the need to educate more families beyond the capability of Extension educators. By using a multicultural curriculum and training approach designed by Cooperative Extension, extenders efficiently and effectively reached a targeted clientele. This partnership model identified and promoted Cooperative Extension as an effective leader for community …

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Attitudes Of Extension Professionals Toward Diversity Education In 4-H Programs, Patreese D. Ingram Feb 1999

Attitudes Of Extension Professionals Toward Diversity Education In 4-H Programs, Patreese D. Ingram

Journal of Extension

America is becoming an increasingly diverse society. As an informal educational program for youth development, what role should 4-H programs have in helping youth learn about cultures that are different than their own? The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of Extension professionals toward diversity education in 4-H programs. Pennsylvania Extension professionals were surveyed regarding their attitudes toward the importance of diversity education and the recruitment of youth from different backgrounds. Although Pennsylvania Extension professionals were generally supportive of diversity in 4-H /youth development programs, there is clearly a need to strengthen diversity efforts and provide diversity …

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Extension Service And Healthy Families, Jo Robertson, Arlene Fulton, Marilyn S. Buck Dec 1998

Extension Service And Healthy Families, Jo Robertson, Arlene Fulton, Marilyn S. Buck

Journal of Extension

This article describes the process of developing collaborative partnerships for the purpose of providing parent education and support services for new parents in Oklahoma. Through partnering, the Oklahoma Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service have expanded Healthy Families from a pilot site to fourteen programs within three years. Experiences in Oklahoma suggest that collaboration, while bringing additional resources and supports, takes time, effort, and new ways of thinking and interacting.

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The First Fifty Years Of The 4-H Program, Beth E. Van Horn, Constance A. Flanagan, Joan S. Thomson Dec 1998

The First Fifty Years Of The 4-H Program, Beth E. Van Horn, Constance A. Flanagan, Joan S. Thomson

Journal of Extension

This article is the first of a two-part series to address the history of 4-H and identify the changes and challenges of the future. The first installment reviews the achievements during the first 50 years that includes the history of 4-H club work, volunteer leadership development, funding support, and response to society's needs during the war years. This historical perspective will demonstrate how 4-H has changed to meet societal needs while remaining true to the original mission.

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The Stork's Nest Program Benefits At-Risk Mothers And Their Babies, Swarna Viegas, Connie Betterley Dec 1998

The Stork's Nest Program Benefits At-Risk Mothers And Their Babies, Swarna Viegas, Connie Betterley

Journal of Extension

This article describes the impact of a collaborative intervention designed to promote prenatal and infant health. Classes on nutrition and other topics were held once a week for high-risk pregnant women and new mothers. Using a pre-test-post-test evaluation design, quantitative and qualitative approaches were used to assess program impact. Findings revealed statistically significant pre-test-post-test mean score differences in knowledge relating to prenatal and infant nutrition. Participants reported that as a result of the program, they started to eat healthy foods, compare food labels, reduced or stopped smoking, and decreased consumption of alcohol.

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What Is Extension's Itinerary For Information Superhighway Travel?, Joseph L. Donaldson Dec 1998

What Is Extension's Itinerary For Information Superhighway Travel?, Joseph L. Donaldson

Journal of Extension

In this commentary, the author uses a hint of satire and his potential educational needs as a small, diversified farmer to pose important questions about Extension's itinerary for information superhighway travel. Without a plan for the use of information technology, Extension only contributes to the widening chasm between the rich and poor. Extension educators must lead the social consciousness debate on the role of information technology in our lives and find significant ways to enfranchise the poorest communities.

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The Healthy Heart Program Lowers Heart Disease Risk In A Rural County, Jennifer Anderson, Jan Nixon, Jennifer Woodard Dec 1998

The Healthy Heart Program Lowers Heart Disease Risk In A Rural County, Jennifer Anderson, Jan Nixon, Jennifer Woodard

Journal of Extension

The purpose of the Healthy Heart study was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of a community nutrition education program on lowering heart disease risk. Nine intervention sessions were offered with three follow-up assessments. Subjects participated in classes covering topics related to nutrition and heart disease risks. Several positive changes in participants' attitudes, knowledge and behaviors were maintained over time, suggesting that community nutrition education programs may be influential in reducing heart disease risks. The results of this study provide support for the important role of Extension agents in teaching community programs and in working with health professionals in such programs.

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