University Extension Commons^™

The Land-Grant University’S Role In Lifelong Workforce Development In Food, Agriculture, And Natural Resources: Leveraging The Relationship Between Academic And Extension Programs, T. Grady Roberts, Debra M. Barry, J.C. Bunch, Suzanna Browning, Jason C. Dossett, R. G. (Tre) Easterly Iii, Cassandra Goff, Carla Jagger, Juan Montealegre, Brian E. Myers, Heather Nesbitt, Jason Steward, Jessica Switzer

Journal of Extension

Today’s food, agriculture, and natural resources (FANR) workforce is constantly evolving. Lifelong learning is no longer a lofty goal but is now a necessity. Colleges of agriculture at land-grant universities have the potential to meet the lifelong learning needs of the FANR workforce. In this article, we present a model where the academic and Extension components of colleges of agriculture at land-grant universities can link together to provide seamless lifelong workforce development. Our model is built on workforce development theory and is based on the traditions of the land-grant universities evolving to meet the needs of the people. Our model …

Expanding Community Engagement By Combining Extension, Service Learning, And Classroom Instruction, Chester L. Arnold, Juliana Barrett, Todd Campbell Dr., Marisa Chrysochoou, David Dickson, Michael Dietz, Randi Mendes

Journal of Extension

The Environment Corps program at the [university] approaches community engagement by combining teaching, service learning, and extension work. This model of engagement harnesses the power of trained undergraduates in conducting meaningful and actionable projects for communities, building on the topical knowledge, outreach experience, and community contacts of seasoned Extension professionals, and in turn expanding the reach of their programs. Over 175 projects have been completed in partnership with 96 municipalities, nonprofits, or other entities. The program has documented benefits to both students and partner communities. The program team is interested in assisting others to adapt the model.

Transforming Text To Images: Prompt Engineering Principles For Generative Ai Use In Extension, Paul Hill, Xue A. Dong, Aubree L. Miller

Journal of Extension

Generative AI (GenAI) systems facilitate the creation of visual images by utilizing extensive datasets to interpret text-based instructions. Effective prompt engineering is essential for optimizing the output of AI-generated images. This article examines various GenAI systems and their functionalities, explores text-to-image prompt engineering principles and their application in Extension work, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of visual content creation with respect to educational materials, data visualization, and promotional content. The article also provides guidance and examples to assist Extension professionals in leveraging GenAI for improved communication and engagement. Recommendations include crafting detailed prompts and continuously refining them for desired results, …

Evaluation Of South Carolina’S Extension And Outreach Agents’ Knowledge Of Harmful Algal Bloom Management And The Impacts Of One-Day Training, George Strickland, Debabrata Sahoo, Michael Vassalos, Heather Nix, Sarah White

Journal of Extension

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) impact livestock producers. Most Extension agents have limited knowledge about HAB management. Our study goal was to assess agent readiness and training on HABs. We used data from in-person surveys of South Carolina (SC) Extension personnel. We examined how training influenced HAB knowledge using pre/post-tests. Training improved agent knowledge of HAB management, but water resource agents learned more. The results of this study can be used to identify Extension training shortfalls and drive policy to better prepare agents throughout the state. Further research should involve prioritizing additional extension topics and assessing knowledge in a similar manner.

Addressing Food Security In Cameroon, Stacy A. Adams, Ruth Abunaw Besong

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Cameroon Africa has experience a period of nearly a decade of unrest as militants fight for independence for two Anglophone regions within a predominantly Francophone country. The English-speaking minority have felt aggrieved for continued erosion of rights by the central government. Protests have rapidly spread since 2016, causing closure of schools, businesses, and medical facilities. People have lost homes and been displaced, negatively affecting food production and crop availability. The United States Department of State leads an effort of diplomacy beyond emergency food relief through the Mandela Washington Fellowship that connects American professionals to innovative and impactful young African leaders. …

Time, Money, Or Knowledge: What Factors Are Associated With Implementing Youth Cooking Programs?, Alison C. Berg, Nancy O. Taylor, Courtney S. Brown, Silvia Q. Giraudo

Journal of Extension

Research suggests participating in youth hands-on cooking programs, like those offered by Extension and 4-H, can improve nutrition behaviors and reduce the risk for obesity. We surveyed [STATE] Extension professionals (n = 127) to explore factors (e.g., employee characteristics, resources, county demographics) related to offering youth hands-on cooking programs and curricula used. Over 2/3 of participants offer programs and reported creating their own curriculum. More years of experience, having received Extension Specialist training, and increased confidence were positively related to offering these programs. Results suggest training could increase confidence and program implementation and standard curricula may be needed.

Journey Mapping: A New Approach To Extension Program Design And Evaluation, Jennifer Hawkins, Neil Linscheid, Somongkol Teng

Journal of Extension

With origins in service and human-centered design and customer experience, journey mapping is a research and evaluation method that allows users to visualize the journey a person or group takes while engaging in a service, program, or system. Using this method, individuals provide feedback on their experience, highlighting successes and challenges along the way.

Minnesota Extension educators have utilized journey mapping in program design and evaluation contexts and have found great value in both. This article highlights three use cases which provide insight into lessons learned during the process and how Extension staff may use the tool in the future.

Continuing Education At Purdue University, 1975–2019, Thomas Robertson, Michael Eddy

Continuing Education

Continuing Education at Purdue University, 1975–2019 is intended to provide a follow-up to the monograph written by Dr. Frank K. Burrin after his retirement as director of Purdue Continuing Education in 1984, Continuing Education at Purdue University: The First Hundred Years (1874–1974). Burrin became ill shortly after his retirement, and he was not able to complete his project. His notes were later compiled, edited, and published by Elizabeth Boyd Thompson.

This monograph presents forty-five years of the history of Continuing Education and Conferences at Purdue under the leadership of eight deans and directors.

Fafsa Completion: Considerations For An Extension-Led Statewide Nudge Campaign, Portia L. Johnson, Kacee Ross, Emily Hines

Journal of Extension

Eight U.S. states have enacted legislation that mandates high school seniors to act on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before graduation. At least 10 other states are considering implementing similar FAFSA requirements. While proponents of the law believe it will affect postsecondary education and the workforce positively, dissenters argue that the policy is an unfunded mandate that taxes students and parents without offering adequate resources. This article synthesizes existing literature related to policy-related nudge campaigns to provide an Extension-led, cost-effective strategy to achieve the FAFSA mandate’s goal and improve citizens’ FAFSA completion behavior.

Tiktok, Tomatoes, And Teenagers: Using New Social Media Apps To Connect Extension Education With Younger Audiences, Coleman K. Simpson, Joseph L. Donaldson

Journal of Extension

Social media usage has precipitated changes in Cooperative Extension’s delivery of programs to amplify involvement with selected audiences and it is important that we craft relevant content for a variety of audiences. Current research tells us that social media and related content can enrich education and can create broader audiences for programming. Resources like blogs, podcasts, and geofilters have shown to be received positively by a wide range of audiences and have created greater rates of engagement.

Yet, one platform that has received limited attention is TikTok, perhaps due to TikTok’s mixed reviews in educational systems. With current trends showing …

Using Community Food Assessments To Improve Local Food Systems, Robin L. Maille

Journal of Extension

Community Food Assessments (CFAs) can be used to identify resources and gaps in how food is grown and distributed in a community, and develop action plans for improvement. This article shares the process for conducting these assessments and draws lessons from CFAs conducted across Oregon. Key themes and innovative projects are highlighted to share potential programming ideas. Extension can play a role in partnership development and networking that helps create sustainable projects that improve local food systems.

Building Capacities To Conduct Respirator Fit Testing For Pesticide Applicators, Michael R. Wierda, Janet R. Hygnstrom, Natalie Hoidal, Thia Walker, Jessica Wilburn, Robin Tutor Marcom, Dean Herzfeld, Kay Sargent, Kerry Richards, Rachel Maccini, Candace Bartholomew

Journal of Extension

The 2015 revision of the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) mandates requirements for medical evaluation, fit testing, and respirator training when the pesticide label requires a respirator. An ad-hoc group of Extension pesticide safety educators came together to address a lack of training and infrastructure for respirator compliance. In the ensuing years, programs of varied audiences and formats were hosted. Errors and shortcomings were realized, knowledge was gained, and lessons were learned. Those lessons are summarized here with links, resources, and suggestions for the implementation of similar efforts by Extension professionals.

When Face-To-Face Communication Fails: A Case Study Of Wvu Extension Agents Utilizing Innovative Social Media Practices, Madison Brooke Quinn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An important aspect that contributes to the success of county Extension programs is relationships and collaborations with community members. This became a challenge when face-to-face communication was no longer possible as a response to the national pandemic that occurred due to COVID-19. In recent years, society has been increasing their reliability on social networking for communication (Diem et al., 2011). Social media played a central role in the diffusion of information in a variety of organizations and businesses during COVID-19 (Geol et al., 2020). The purpose of this study was to describe how WVU Extension Service is utilizing innovative social …

Building Engagement In Facebook: A Case Study With Utah State University Extension Sustainability, Kenna Kesler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore how Utah State University (USU) Extension Sustainability uses Facebook to engage followers. The researcher conducted a quantitative content analysis of 504 messages posted to the USU Extension Sustainability Facebook page. Graphics and links were the most common post characteristics used. Text-only posts and posts containing videos were used the least. Food was the most common area of sustainability discussed on the page. Posts containing videos, shared content, or that tagged other pages in Facebook messages experienced statistically significantly higher user engagement than posts without those characteristics. Posts containing hashtags experienced statistically significantly …

Determining Human Development Competency Training Needs Of Fcs Extension Professionals, Alligrace Story, Alisha M. Hardman, Marina D. Denny, Geoff Denny

Southeastern Council on Family Relations Conference [2018-2020]

Extension agents with Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) programmatic responsibilities come from a variety of backgrounds but are expected to implement educational programs across FCS knowledge areas. This study examined [state] University Extension personnel’s perceived importance of and perceived ability related to human development competencies. There was a significant difference between how specialists (state-level) and agents (county-level) perceived the importance of three of the five human development concepts. Most agents’ perceived their ability across the human development competencies to be average or just above average. Using the perceived importance and perceived ability data from the agents, next steps include piloting …

Continuing Education At Purdue University: The First Hundred Years (1874–1974), Frank K. Burrin

Continuing Education

The History of Continuing Education at Purdue: The First Hundred Years (1874–1974) was compiled from documents and manuscripts left by Dr. Frank K. Burrin. After his retirement, Dr. Burrin set himself the task of writing a coherent, full-length history of Purdue's contributions to continuing education. Unfortunately, his project was left incomplete at his death. Fortunately, his friends and colleagues at the university were unwilling to let his dream die with him. The present monograph is the result of their concern.

The fragmentary nature of the surviving manuscript made it impossible either to reconstruct Dr. Burrin's original plan for the organization …