Author describes these trends that involve communications programs in colleges of agriculture, extension and research programs: mission creep (to more PR), abandoning our roots (in pursuit of high rankings), communication decentralization, professional slippage (off the faculty ladder), administrative disconnect (with communications leaders), insufficient funding for strategic marketing of colleges, lack of increased communication with nonfarm audiences.
"We are not going to reverse trends affecting our profession, but if we can see where they are going, we can position ourselves for the winning shot. This leads to the second point. We need to see the future clearly. I contend that many of the issues described by Whiting are in actuality indicators of two larger trends: an increasingly diverse audience and the need for universities to be more entrepreneurial." Author calls for communications departments and centers to think and act more collectively rather than individually.
Reports on content analyses of Web sites used by Florida agricultural commodity organizations and identifies opportunities for meeting the information needs of media more effectively.
Describes Rich Site Summary, also known as Really Simple Syndication (RSS) as "a particularly useful tool for news organizations since these syndication feeds automatically notify the end-user that fresh information has been posted on a Web site, and it also avoids the use of e-mail."
Brooks, John R. (author / Radio/Television Communications Specialist, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, Agricultural Center, Louisiana State University)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1991
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 83 Document Number: C05066
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)
search through journal, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension provides educational programming through various methods of delivery. As part of the Family Community Education (FCE) Program, Extension specialists provide leader training lessons to Extension educators and assistants. Survey data were collected from Extension educators and assistants involved in the FCE Program to find out their needs involving the delivery of leader training lessons. The data revealed that satellite broadcast is a viable source to deliver leader training lessons and other programming material to Extension educators and assistants throughout Nebraska. Sixty-three percent of the respondents preferred satellite delivery, as opposed to 35 percent who liked in-person training at district meetings.
