Bounaga, Lahcen (author), Gamon, Julia A. (author), Miller, W. Wade (author), and Department of Agricultural Education and Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1992
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 90 Document Number: C06375
James F. Evans Collection, Inadequate adoption of soil conservation practices is a serious problem since 40 percent of the nation's farmers have some highly erodible land. This study identified preferred educational sources and methods of hard-to-reach groups such as those who are the last to put together a soil conservation plan. A mailed questionnaire asked about both past and future use. The most important sources of information about soil conservation for landowners with highly erodible land were neighbors and family. Those who had not started a conservation plan were significantly less interested in tours and demonstrations. (original)
Beall, Gary A. (author), Hayes, James H. (author), and Beall: Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Davis, CA; Hayes: Director, Brock Center for Agricultural Communication, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1992
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 90 Document Number: C06376
James F. Evans Collection; Paper presented at the July 1991 International ACE Meeting in Rapid City, SD, Newspapers set the campaign agenda for two environmental initiatives appearing on California's November 1990 general election ballot. In doing so, they relied heavily upon unnamed sources (proponents, experts, environmentalists, etc.) and poorly identified advocacy groups. Although the agricultural community perceived both ballot measures to be agricultural issues, the media defined them in a much broader, environmental context. The agricultural industry-sponsored initiative was treated as a non-issue by the newspapers. It received only five percent of the news and editorial space devoted to the two initiatives. However, pro and con coverage of each initiative was generally balanced, reflecting an overall attempt at fairness and willingness to present both sides of the issue. (original)
Radhakrishna, Rama (author), Veerabhadraiah, V. (author), and Radhakrishna: Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA; Veerabhadraiah: Division of Agricultural Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1992
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 90 Document Number: C06377
James F. Evans Collection, The primary purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of use of educational methods and subject matter delivered by Extension agents in South Karnataka, India. In addition, the appropriateness of methods used and importance of subject matter delivered was also determined. This study utilized descriptive survey research using all 30 Extension agents employed by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India. A response rate of 83 percent was achieved for the study. The findings indicated that agents used a variety of educational methods to educate farmers. Notable among them were discussion meetings, field visits, farm and home visits, whole farm demonstration, and method demonstration. Crop production, vegetable production, new crop varieties, soil fertility, crop pests, and diseases, etc. were the subject matter areas that agents delivered most often. Agents agreed that methods used by them were most appropriate to educate farmers. Further, the subject matter delivered by agents were what they considered most important. (original)
James F. Evans Collection, Research directors at American land-grant universities are optimistic regarding the future of agricultural biotechnology and expect the ongoing "biotechnology revolution" to benefit the public, including consumers and farmers. Unresolved public policy questions involving biotechnology do concern many of the research administrators who responded to an opinion poll, but the prevailing attitude appears to be on of confident expectation that solutions will in time emerge for all outstanding biotech problems. Asked about "biotechnology's ethical questions," a majority of the respondents that U.S. land-grant institutions are well equipped to deal with such questions. The respondents said biotechnology may pose environmental risks, but they did not expect biological catastrophes to occur. They said biotechnology could be used to foster low-input methods of agricultural production, and they were in favor of pursuing biotech research that might improve agriculture's sustainability. (original)
Makuch, Joseph R. (author), Robillard, Paul D. (author), and Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA; Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1992
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 90 Document Number: C06379
James F. Evans Collection, Cooperative Extension was established as an educational and problem-solving institution in 1914. Since that time, the tools of instructional technology have changed substantially. Cooperative Extension needs to use current and emerging technologies that will permit it to operate in an efficient and effective manner. The computer is a technological tool that offers many opportunities for improving the delivery of Extension programs. The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Penn State is exploring several ways of using computers to enhance Extension programs in water quality. This article describes four applications of computer technology designed to address the information-age needs of Extension agents and clientele. (author)
James F. Evans Collection; Paper presented at the International Meeting of Agricultural Communicators in Education; 1990 July 16; St. Paul, MN, A lack of theory, models, and methods in the agricultural science news writing process spurred the initial investigation of this specialized writing process. Data were collected via process-tracing methods of a minute-by-minute observation of a farm magazine writer's writing process. The researcher used a protocol chart to record the nature and duration of the social-cognitive behaviors of the five stories. Results showed these cognitive behaviors dominated the writing process: organize, generate, compose, finalize, and edit language. The peak of cognitive behaviors occurred during the middle time period. The social-individual category showed a predominance of talking with associates while the social-organizational category showed a predominance of consulting documents. Cognition is the hub activity, significantly following social-individual and social-organizational behaviors. A potential model of the agricultural science news writing process was developed. (original)
James F. Evans Collection, Leaders in agricultural research institutions in many developing countries want to publish English-language annual reports. They have few editorial and financial resources. Few have (1) analyzed their reasons for reporting, (2) set priorities among audiences, or (3) considered a design that would serve the audience(s). This paper proposes three main audiences for such reports: heads of agencies that use agricultural research findings, agricultural scientists, and some persons interested in agricultural science (but not scientists). An audience-friendly approach is suggested for the design and preparation of annual reports that can be more useful than those written in the usual scientific-report form. (original)
Johnson, Earl C. (author), Verma, Satish (author), and Johnson: Director, Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition, University of Extension Service, University of Georgia Extension Service, Tifton, GA; Verma: Program Development Specialist, Cooperative Extension Service, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1992
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 90 Document Number: C06382
James F. Evans Collection, Alabama county Extension agents' circular letters and newsletters (2.5 million pieces in 1988) were found to be two grade levels higher than the reading level of the average U.S. adult, and 85 percent of Alabama 4-Hers. If this means that these materials are difficult to understand, agents need to write pieces aimed at lower reading grade levels. The study showed that agents would increase readability if they devoted more time to writing. Sensitizing agents to this need and providing learning opportunities in writing for readability are suggested. (original)
James F. Evans Collection, This study was designed to examine an automated call-in radio news service versus an operator answered system. It examined how the tapes were being used and attempted to determine the effectiveness of promotional items for the service. It was clear the numbers of callers using the automated service increased significantly (nearly three times) over an operator-answered system. The study suggested that a toll-free telephone number was not a significant factor in whether the service was used and also found that the order in which the stories were available was not important. The results also suggest that for call-in kinds of news services to work, regular promotions to remind the users of the system must be done. (original)
Oskam, Judy Barnes (author / Extension specialist and video coordinator, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1992
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 95 Document Number: C07334
