Digital Commons Network^™

Educating Limited Acreage Producers Using Web-Based Technology, Blake K. Bennett, Jason L. Johnson, Rebecca Parker

Journal of Extension

Collaborative learning Internet courses provide a means of disseminating information to limited acreage producers. Three multi-disciplinary subject curriculums were assimilated into an e-learning platform. Incorporating student online discussion completed the collaborative learning process. With development complete and classes currently being offered, a model is established for Extension programs nationwide.

Turfgrass Industry Practitioners And The Pesticide Label, Michael A. Fidanza, David L. Sanford, Scott D. Guiser, Jeffrey A. Borger

Journal of Extension

A seminar for green industry professionals was used to conduct a survey on the use and perception of the pesticide label. The audience was composed of those in lawn care/grounds maintenance, golf course turfgrass management, and other areas (e.g., sports turf, parks and recreation, etc.). Overall, turfgrass professionals among all three industry segments are well-informed of their responsibilities for the legal and safe use of pesticides, although industry personnel could improve their practice of keeping up with pesticide label changes and revisions.

Improving The Landscape Design Skills Of North Carolina Green Industry Professionals, Anthony V. Labude, Pat Lindsey, Anne Spafford, Lucy Bradley, Michelle Wallace, Clifford D. Ruth

Journal of Extension

A 2-day hands-on landscape design workshop was presented to landscape design professionals in the North Carolina green industry who had never received formal training in the design process. All attendees were satisfied, significantly increased their knowledge of landscape design, and adopted key strategies for improving their designs and design skills.

A Regional Multicultural Approach To Sustaining Wild Rice, Patrick Robinson, Scott Herron, Rebecca Power, Deborah Zak

Journal of Extension

Outreach programming can often involve issues that have complex multicultural and regional dimensions. Those dimensions, while challenging, can represent important opportunities. This article describes the methods and outcomes associated with integrating multicultural and regional perspectives into efforts to sustain wild rice in the Upper Great Lakes Region. The outcomes highlight the importance of utilizing multicultural approaches, addressing issues at appropriate scales, and enabling diverse partnerships. This project underscores the importance of integrating multicultural and regional perspectives into appropriate outreach programming.

An Examination Of The Impact Of Organizational Restructuring On Identification Within Extension, Cynthia B. Torppa, Keith L. Smith

Journal of Extension

Many Extension organizations enjoy strong Organizational Identification (OI) among personnel. But organizational change may negatively influence identification, and many Extension organizations have been changing the way they serve their publics. To examine the impact of change on OI, we compared Extension personnel's OI scores following a major restructuring to OI scores gathered during a period of relative stability reported in previous research from another Extension organization. Findings indicated that OI scores were slightly lower following restructuring; however, the pattern of scores across four targets (Extension, program area, counties, and centers) remained constant, suggesting personnel will rarely identify with mid-level targets.

Survey Of Former Ida Program Participants: How Do They Fare?, Cäzilla Loibl, Beth Red Bird

Journal of Extension

While a number of studies have examined the savings performance of participants in the Individual Development Account (IDA) program, research about long-term program outcomes is limited. To fill this void, we present findings of a survey of IDA participants' asset holdings after they left the IDA program. Results document that those who successfully complete the IDA program report higher levels of asset ownership after completing the program, compared to those dropping out of the program prematurely. This supports the view that IDA programs affect the dispositions and behaviors necessary to successfully maintain a home, complete post-secondary education, and establish a …

4-H Youth Worker Characteristics: Comparisons With Workers From Other Youth-Serving Organizations, William P. Evans, Lorie L. Sicafuse, Eric Killian

Journal of Extension

Participation in 4-H has been linked to a variety of positive youth outcomes. Yet little is known about the youth workers responsible for the implementation of these programs. Using survey data collected from a national sample, the study reported here examined the characteristics of 4-H workers and youth workers from other organizations. Analyses revealed both the strengths of 4-H workers and the challenges they may face in expanding and promoting programming. Recommendations are offered to ensure the continued development and success of 4-H programs.

Promoting Alternative Enterprises: Assessing Farmers' Needs In Research, Education, And Extension, Safdar Muhammad, Omoanghe S. Isiskhuemhen, Aydin Basarir

Journal of Extension

Small farms represent a significant proportion of the total U.S farms, and current trends in agriculture pose new challenges for their viability and survival. To meet such challenges, there is a need for introducing high-value non-traditional alternative enterprises. The study reported here explored goat, organic, and mushroom farming as potential alternative enterprises. Several focus group meetings were conducted in Tennessee and North Carolina to identify priority areas for future research, education, and outreach activities. The results from the study should contribute significantly to promoting and creating niche markets for proposed alternative enterprises among small farmers.

Comparison Of Water Quality Program Efforts For Non-Governmental Organizations Within Northern Gulf Of Mexico Watersheds, Robert F. Brzuszek, Taze Fulford Iii, Hall Roberts, Timothy J. Schauwecker

Journal of Extension

Non-governmental organizations concerned with water quality issues within the Northern Gulf of Mexico were surveyed to compare their program differences. The objectives of the study were to determine the extent of water quality programs and priority program emphasis for non-governmental organizations in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The study utilized a methodology that identified the program elements of four different watersheds in four southeastern states. The results demonstrate that evaluating non-governmental program efforts in a region reveals targeted priorities that may help to define future program needs.

Factors Affecting Wisconsin Feeder Calf Prices At A Local Livestock Market, Bill Halfman, Jeffrey W. Lehmkuhler, Tom Cox

Journal of Extension

Increasingly available information is illustrating the value of management on feeder cattle prices. Information from more than 2,000 lots was collected from a single market facility in western Wisconsin from 2004 through 2006 to examine factors affecting feeder cattle prices. Factors such as weight, breed, haircoat color, sex, lot size, and management practices commonly associated with preconditioning programs are found to affect feeder cattle prices in a market where dairy calves are predominate. This information provides support for implementation of a statewide preconditioning program.

Experiential Learning And Cooperative Extension: Partners In Non-Formal Education For A Century And Beyond, Jodi L. Torock

Journal of Extension

How often do Extension educators—those doing the planning, educating, and evaluating of Extension programming—pause to consider their role in the learning process? Joplin's (1981) model defining experiential learning should serve as a guide for educators planning Extension programs. Reflection is a key piece of the experiential learning process that is often ignored due to an overwhelming effort to have participants complete a program evaluation. By using the experiential learning model as a guide, Extension educators can be sure to incorporate this critical component into the program lesson.

Creating An External Funding Strategy: How To Thrive, Kristi N. Hughes, Lauren D. Ledbetter

Journal of Extension

Seeking external funding for Extension programs is an important investment in our future. Integral assets to Extension agents as they seek external funding are: understanding the relevance of their programming to the community, ensuring their reliability to conduct successful programming, and having the ability to communicate impact to stakeholders. An external funding strategy allows agents to speak their needs in the language of funders. Through this article, agents can examine strategic questions and logical reasoning and the theory behind them to refine an external funding proposal plan. The packaging checklist will ensure that each proposal is compiled for success!

The Focus Group As A Demonstration Technique, Thomas J. Straka, Matt Nespeca, Matthew B. Howell, Heather T. Irwin

Journal of Extension

Focus group interviews are research techniques, and demonstration projects are Extension techniques. Our title is a little misleading; we are merely proposing that many aspects of focus groups can be used to strengthen demonstrations. We describe a focus group field forestry interview that was described by participants as an outstanding demonstration. This was surprising because our project had no demonstration objective. We discuss four aspects of focus group methodology that might be incorporated into demonstrations in order to enhance educational effectiveness: group dynamics, reversed information flow, enhanced networking opportunity, and increased variables in demonstrations to facilitate more discussion.

Expanded Information Delivery Using The World Wide Web, Steven B. Johnson

Journal of Extension

Web posting of program agendas and presentations has proven successful for increasing contacts and providing timely information. Web posting of program agendas can aid clients in forward planning and encourage attendance. Web posting of conference presentations can help clients who were not able to attend the program and increase exposure to a wider audience. Software for tracking Web page activity provides data for reporting and a measure of value to clients.

Extending Expertise Through Conference Calls And Blogging, Lisa Dipietro, Michelle Miller

Journal of Extension

Due to the limited number of apple IPM consultants in Wisconsin and the high cost of hiring consultants, few Wisconsin apple growers have been able to take advantage of professional consultant expertise in implementing IPM on their orchards. To address this need, the Eco-Apple Project launched a blog in 2006 and free weekly conference calls with an apple IPM consultant in 2007. We found that the combined package of Web and telephone communications had a low cost relative to one-on-one service, gave growers a chance to learn from each other, saved the IPM consultant time, and was useful to growers.

Chongqing Castle

China Beat Blog: Archive 2008-2012

“In Chongqing, the old town of Ciqikou looms over a more modern addition by the riverbank. This kid was more interested in her bouncy throne than in the juxtaposition of her city’s ancient past and booming present.”

—Alec Ash

East Bay Energy Consortium Technical Committee Meeting Minutes, November 30, 2009, East Bay Energy Consortium

East Bay Energy Consortium Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Pragmatic Estimation Of A Spatio-Temporal Air Quality Model With Irregular Monitoring Data, Paul D. Sampson, Adam A. Szpiro, Lianne Sheppard, Johan Lindström, Joel D. Kaufman

UW Biostatistics Working Paper Series

Statistical analyses of the health effects of air pollution have increasingly used GIS-based covariates for prediction of ambient air quality in “land-use” regression models. More recently these regression models have accounted for spatial correlation structure in combining monitoring data with land-use covariates. The current paper builds on these concepts to address spatio-temporal prediction of ambient concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) on the basis of a model representing spatially varying seasonal trends and spatial correlation structures. Our hierarchical methodology provides a pragmatic approach that fully exploits regulatory and other supplemental monitoring data which jointly …

11-30-2009 Mcatee To Head Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network Site For West Central Oklahoma, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

THE BARK ARCHIVE 2009

Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Caddo Kiowa Technology Center, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education and Western Technology Center have joined forces to grow the local economy by joining the Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network (OBAN).

11-30-2009 Swosu Choirs To Perform Thursday, December 3, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

THE BARK ARCHIVE 2009

Several Southwestern Oklahoma State University choirs will perform in concert this Thursday, December 3, on the Weatherford campus.

Cseas Weekly Bulletin (November 30, 2009), Center For Southeast Asian Studies

CSEAS Bulletin

No abstract provided.

The Daily Egyptian, November 30, 2009, Daily Egyptian Staff

November 2009

No abstract provided.

Lu Xun And Translation

China Beat Blog: Archive 2008-2012

I recently wrote an essay called “China’s Orwell” for the Asian edition of Time Magazine. In the article, I deal with the conundrum of Lu Xun’s enormous influence within China yet continued relative obscurity outside of the Sinophone world. Among other things, I ponder the possibility that an attractive new collection of his complete fiction, which features spirited translations by Julia Lovell and was published as part of the Penguin Classics series (click here for a “Paper Republic” interview with the translator about the book), could help right this imbalance by introducing figures such as Ah-Q to Western readers who …

Gsu View, 2009-11-30, Office Of Public Affairs

GSU View

Newsletter published by Governors State University 2007-current.

Cwu General Education Committee Minutes - 11/30/09, Janet Shields

All Faculty Committee Minutes

These are the official Central Washington University General Education Committee minutes for the 11/30/09 meeting.

Purchase Tickets Now For Unh Alumni Family Hockey Event Jan. 9, 2010, Kelly Calhoun

Media Relations

No abstract provided.

Chaos By Design: Using Pseudo-Randomness To Make Artificial Intelligence More "Human", Eric Moore

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

The Chanticleer, 2009-11-30, Coastal Carolina University

The Chanticleer Student Newspaper

The editorially independent student produced weekly newspaper of Coastal Carolina University.

2009-2010 Master Class - Mark Kaplan (Violin), Mark Kaplan, Adam Diderrich, Tao Lin, Seul-A Lee, Maryna Yermolenko, Edgar Leite, Dongfang Zhang

Master Classes

Mark Kaplan and Yael Weiss in Recital: All Brahms Concert (December 3, 2009) - Program

Final Report: Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition Programmatic Support, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This Final Report summarizes the work performed by the Florida Solar Energy Center for U.S. Department of Energy for the National Clean Cities Program to reduce emissions and energy consumption of transportation vehicles. This report describes the activities and events of Florida Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition encompassing a nine county area in east central Florida. FSEC administers the Coalition and support the Coalition Board of Directors with meetings, workshop, reports, mailing list, membership, activities, questionnaires, fuel pricing, alternative vehicle and infrastructure deployment.