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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons™
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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Discussing Extension Agents’ Role In Moderating Contentious Issue Conversations, Arthur Leal, Joy N. Rumble, Alexa J. Lamm, Keegan D. Gay
Discussing Extension Agents’ Role In Moderating Contentious Issue Conversations, Arthur Leal, Joy N. Rumble, Alexa J. Lamm, Keegan D. Gay
Journal of Human Sciences and Extension
Extension agents are finding themselves engaged in problem-solving roles as public needs adjust to a climate where issues facing the agricultural and natural resource industry are more often contentious than benign. As connectors between the Land-grant university system and the public, Extension agents need to know how to effectively communicate about contentious issues with clientele. This study used an online survey design to determine Extension agents’ attitudes toward contentious issues, challenges that they face, and effective means of communication. The findings revealed Extension agents’ attitudes toward communicating about contentious issues were more positive than negative. Additionally, they found the availability …
Engaging In Conversations About Climate Change With Cattle Producers, Ricky Telg, Cassie Wandersee, David Smith, Saqib Mukhtar
Engaging In Conversations About Climate Change With Cattle Producers, Ricky Telg, Cassie Wandersee, David Smith, Saqib Mukhtar
Journal of Human Sciences and Extension
The purpose of this study was to determine whether Cooperative Extension Service agents and United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) personnel used a dialogic model of communication in their interactions with cattle producers in the Southwest and Mountain West regarding the topic of climate change. Findings indicated that dialogic communication is being used, with a focus on discussing best management practices, avoiding the term “climate change,” and focusing on local data and weather events. The study suggests that Extension agents and NRCS personnel recognize the need to adapt their communication strategy and tactics to suit the …