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    1. Agricultural knowledge and information systems in Europe: weak or strong, fragmented or integrated?

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Knierim, Andrea (author) and Prager, Katrin (author)
    Format:
    Report
    Publication Date:
    2015-07
    Published:
    International
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 149 Document Number: D06722
    Notes:
    Online via Proakis.com.eu. 4 pages., "Overall, the analysis revealed that European AKIS are characterised by a mix of public and private actors, and there are no countries where only public actors dominate the knowledge system."

    2. Barriers to participatory extension in Egypt: agricultural workers' perspectives

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    McDonough, Chris (author), Nuberg, Ian K. (author), and Pitchford, Wayne S. (author)
    Format:
    Journal article abstract
    Publication Date:
    2015
    Published:
    Egypt: Taylor & Francis
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 7 Document Number: D10280
    Journal Title:
    Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
    Journal Title Details:
    21(2)
    Notes:
    2 pages., Via UI online subscription., Purpose: This paper examines extension practises of agricultural workers within the Egyptian government and the perceived barriers they face in implementing participatory approaches, identifying improvements required in research and extension processes to meet the real needs of Egyptian farming communities. Design/Methodology/Approach: Key barriers for engaging in participatory extension were identified using content analysis of semi-structured interviews, surveys and focus group discussion of 37 government agricultural workers along with participant observation and review of existing literature. Findings: The majority of workers surveyed understood basic participatory extension principles and desired to use these approaches. Changing from traditional ‘top down’ extension to systems that engage with farmers' needs at the community level is made difficult due to the aging and poorly functioning Village Extension Worker (VEW) network. Thus, it is far easier for the research driven extension programmes to use technology transfer models. Practical Implications: Participatory extension relies on strong relationship building and open communication between farmers, extension workers, researchers, interest groups and policy-makers. The Egyptian government must properly establish and resource the pivotal role of VEWs within the extension system to meet its strategic aims of modernising agriculture, developing food security and improving the livelihoods of rural inhabitants. Originality/Value: This paper captures the unique perspectives of government research, extension and education workers involved in agricultural development at a time directly after the 2010 revolution, when they were able to more openly reflect on the past and present situations.

    4. Depolarizing food and agriculture: an economic approach

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Barkley, Andrew (author) and Barkkley, Paul W. (author)
    Format:
    Book
    Publication Date:
    2015
    Published:
    USA: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, London and New York.
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 154 Document Number: D07071
    Notes:
    196 pages., "In an information-based economy...the only source of prosperity is providing consumers with what they desire." Authors conclude that the flow of information from consumers to producers may be more important than providing consumers with knowledge about agriculture.

    6. Maintaining trust and credibility in a continuously evolving organic food system

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Thorsø, Martin Hvarregaard (author) and Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, TjeleDenmark
    Format:
    Journal article
    Publication Date:
    2015-08
    Published:
    Springer Netherlands
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 7 Document Number: D10269
    Journal Title:
    Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics
    Journal Title Details:
    28(4) : 767-787
    Notes:
    21 pages., Credibility is particularly important in organic food systems because there are only marginal visual and sensorial differences between organic and conventionally produced products, requiring consumers to trust in producers’ quality claims. In this article I explore what challenges the credibility of organic food systems and I explore how credibility of organic food systems can be maintained, using the Danish organic food system as a case study. The question is increasingly relevant as the sale of organic food is growing in Denmark as well as globally, and consumers’ expectations of organics continuously evolve. The inquiry is threefold, first I outline a conceptual framework for understanding trust and credibility in the food system, secondly I explore the developments in Danish organic food systems and thirdly discuss the challenges and opportunities for maintaining trust in the Danish organic food system. In the analysis I indicate eight key challenges: (1) unrealistic expectations, (2) blind trust and little motivation for extending their knowledge, (3) consumers assess the overall credibility of organic products, (4) ambitious ethical principles, (5) new consumer groups introduce new expectations, (6) frozen requirements in a changing world, (7) growing imports and labelling and (8) multiple versions of organics and the diversity is growing, as well as four aspects which may maintain the credibility of organics if implemented: (1) coordinate expectations, (2) communicate requested information, (3) institutional reform and (4) open communication of pros and cons of organic production.