5pgs, Billions of dollars in federal funding are available to help rural communities repair and build infrastructure like roads and bridges, clean drinking water, hospitals, and schools. A new pilot project at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is designed to help communities that most need the funding receive it, officials said.
Vol 10 No 2 (2021): Special Issue: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Food System
Notes:
3 pgs., Online Journal, Resilient local food systems are a necessary component to keep our communities healthy, especially during times of emergency. With a history of supporting local farmers and food access in less-resourced communities, Fresh Approach was in a prime position at the time of shelter-in-place orders to pivot our efforts to emergency food relief in this time of uncertainty. By collaborating and mobilizing resources, Fresh Approach was able to strengthen existing connections with small farmers, build new relationships with other food access nonprofits, and support families in need by providing them with farm-fresh, local, and healthy produce. We outline how these partnerships and collective efforts have fortified a resilient and transformative food system in our area.
7 pgs., In the last couple of decades, nonprofit organizations have worked to advance the voices of American farm women. Using the internet and social media, they advocate for farm women to have a larger voice in local and national agricultural policymaking. The Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN; https://wfan.org/), is one of these nonprofit organizations (Women, Food, and Agriculture Network, 2019b). Based in Iowa, it offers a variety of programs to encourage farm women to continue farming and to consider pursuing elective office for a stronger female voice in American agriculture (Sachs et al., 2016). Historically, the American woman’s contribution to feeding the country and the world has received recognition only during times of national emergency. For example, during World War II, the U. S. Secretary of Agriculture turned to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Extension Service to create a recruitment program for women to assist with food production. As early as April 1943, the U.S. Congress approved funding for The Farm Labor Supply Appropriation Act. The program became known as the Women’s Land Army (WLA; The Farm Labor Supply Appropriation Act of 1943). The program, operational between 1943 and 1947, called on American women to work on abandoned farms during World War II. Lucrative defense-related jobs were luring farmers from their fields, creating a need for farm laborers. The WLA was administered by the USDA and implemented at the state level by the USDA Extension Service. By 1945, one and a half million non-farm women had been recruited for farm jobs, and WLA membership had risen to almost two million women (Rasmussen, 1951, pp. 148–149). During the last decades of the 20th century, social and economic change had encouraged more women, including farm women, to become politically active. It was not until 1978, when the USDA began collecting data on the gender of the principal farm operators (the USDA term to describe the decision-makers), that women’s role in American farming was confirmed with statistics. According to the USDA Census in 2017, women as principal producers on the farm are slowly growing in number (U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2020, Table 52). These numbers also reflect the first time multiple (two or more) primary producers were reported in the USDA Census of Agriculture (U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2020, Table 47).
17pgs, In this article, we evaluate the rate of return to government efforts to promote broadband. Specifically, we estimate the impact of USDA's broadband loan and grant programs on the average payroll per worker using zip code level data from the Zip Code Business Patterns for the period from 1997 to 2007. Our results indicate that two of the smaller broadband programs (the Pilot loan program and the broadband grants program) likely had no effect on local payroll per workers. On the other hand, the largest program in terms of funding and coverage (the current broadband loan program) likely had a positive impact. Our estimate implies that a $1 per capita increase in a particular zip code's one-time receipt of the current program broadband loan results in a $0.92 increase in payroll per worker annually. Our calculated point estimates of the benefit: cost ratios for this broadband program range from 1.98 to 2.99, depending on assumptions about the time frame over which benefits accrue. However, the confidence intervals are wide enough to include the possibility that the costs outweigh the benefits.
21 pages, via online journal, How an agricultural organization handles the way the media reports a crisis can have an impact on the public’s perceptions of the organization, and sometimes the industry as a whole. The popularity of social media outlets as a venue for disseminating and gathering information and news makes the use of social media surrounding agricultural crises an important topic to investigate (Glynn, Huge, & Hoffman 2012; Hermida, 2010). A qualitative case study was conducted to investigate the use of social media tools during an agricultural crisis. The participants – communications directors, social media managers, and individuals with a close connection to the crisis under study – reported that social media was a major component of their communication efforts surrounding each crisis. Participants felt social media was very effective in these situations and had a major impact on their communication efforts. Although no participants reported using a structured social media strategy or crisis communication plan, they stated a need for such guidelines in the agricultural industry. From the data analyzed in this study, a model for using social media during a crisis situation, aimed specifically for use by those in the agricultural industry, was developed. This project was funded through the USDA's Beginning Farmers & Ranchers Project.
9 pages., Author reports on the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of agricultural trade promotion, observing an average of $10 return from $1 invested and noting that funds allocated to such promotion have been relatively small. ... "Given the high BCRs to export promotion...as reported by several studies, increased funding to those underfunded programs could produce rather dramatic results..."
2pgs, Each year, more and more farms accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments for community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. When farms decide to accept SNAP, it opens the door to a new revenue stream, as well as providing healthy local food to community members with limited incomes. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than $63 million in benefits were distributed to SNAP recipients last year, representing a significant market opportunity for farmers (USDA, 2018). In order to capture some of this market share, SNAP recipients need to be aware that your farm accepts SNAP payments for your CSA. Outreach is one of the most important aspects to gaining SNAP recipients as new CSA customers. Below, you will find some key tips for conducting successful outreach to SNAP participants.
Telg, Ricky W. (author), Lundy, Lisa (author), Wandersee, Cassie (author), Mukhtar, Saqib (author), Smith, David (author), Stokes, Phillip (author), and University of Florida
Kansas State University
Texas A&M University
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2018
Published:
United States: New Prairie Press
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 1 Document Number: D10163
14 pages; Article 5, via online journal article, The Cattle and Climate Conversations Workshop for Cooperative Extension and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the last activity funded through a multi-regional United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) grant, took place in October 2016 in Denver, Colorado, for Extension and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) representatives in the Southwest and Mountain West who work extensively with cattle producers. The purpose of this study was to identify how Extension agents and NRCS personnel in this workshop viewed the issue of “trust,” as it relates to communicating the topic of climate change to cattle producers. Three focus groups, comprised of 29 attendees of the workshop, were conducted simultaneously at the end of the conference. Specific themes about trust included the politically charged nature of climate change, climate change data manipulation, negativity of media surrounding climate change, weathercasters getting predictions wrong, agriculture getting a “black eye” with the public, and participants’ relationships with cattle producers. Findings indicate varying levels of distrust, related to sources of information and influence on the topic of climate change, greatly impact how and whether Extension Service and NRCS employees actually talk “climate change” to cattle producers. Based on the study’s findings, it is recommended that for Extension and NRCS employees to talk about controversial issues, like climate change, it is important to create relationships with clients. In addition, communication and education professionals working with cattle producers should avoid politicizing the topic of climate change if they want climate-related programs to be accepted.
Team Nutrition (Program : U.S.) (author) and United States Food and Nutrition Service (author)
Format:
government document
Language:
Eng;iish
Publication Date:
2013
Published:
USA: USDA, Food and Nutrition Service
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 152 Document Number: D10136
Notes:
1 online resource (107 pages) : illustrations (some color), A supplemental curriculum for grades 5-6., Via United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library. From the Historical Dietary Guidance Digital Collection
Dickert-Conlin, Stacy (author), Fitzpatrick, Katie (author), and Tiehen, Laura (author)
Format:
Poster
Publication Date:
2011-07
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 184 Document Number: D00232
Notes:
Poster prepared for presentation at the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association's 2011 AAEA and NAREA joint annual meeting, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 24-26, 2011. Via AgEcon Search. 5 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C27630
Notes:
Posted at http://www.fsa.usda.gov, 3 pages., Describes a certified state agricultural mediation program administered by the Farm Service Agency, Outreach Staff of the USDA. Cites examples of use.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 69 Document Number: D10732
Notes:
Claude W. Gifford Collection. Beyond his materials in the ACDC collection, the Claude W. Gifford Papers, 1919-2004, are deposited in the University of Illinois Archives. Serial Number 8/3/81. Locate finding aid at https://archives.library.illinois.edu/archon/, Item 42 located in ACDC Document D10726, Directory of written summaries of 80 items deposited in the Claude W. Gifford Papers, University of Illinois Archives. 4 pages., Provides a review of efforts to improve public understanding of agriculture, nationally. Author cites the 1950 book by Ed Lipscomb, Grassroots public relations for agriculture, formation of the Agricultural Relations Council, and Dan Murphy's book, Improving agriculture's reputation. Describes USDA efforts, including the PACER research project and staffing enhancements for that goal.
Manahan, Laurie (author / Yummy Designs, Walla Walla, WA )
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 97 Document Number: C07891
Notes:
James F. Evans Collection, Ham, Mimeographed, 1994. 1 p. Presented at the Society for Nutrition Education, Portland, OR, July 16-20, 1994., Games are frequently used to teach a variety of subjects in schools and adult training programs. Games enhance learning by holding attention, encouraging interaction and discussion, and adding variety, creativity, and enjoyment. A game format seemed to offer potential for teaching the USDA's new Food Guide Pyramid. My objective was to develop an educational and entertaining Food Pyramid Game. After researching educational games, I developed "Food Pyramid Lotto", with 4-colored Pyramid Playing Boards and 100 colored Food Cards. Players use the Food Cards to build balanced menus on their pyramid boards. To test out the game, 100 games were produced and distributed to nutritionists and teachers in a variety of programs. Feedback was extremely positive, and indicated that: 1) the game was effective in teaching the Food Guide Pyramid; 2) the game was appropriate for school children, as well as for teens, WIC, NET, home ec, extension, food service training and adult health promotion. After revisions, the game was reprinted and is now being marketed to nutrition educators and teachers nationwide. My conclusion is that a game can be a very effective and enjoyable approach to teaching the Food Guide Pyramid.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 91 Document Number: C06558
Notes:
James F. Evans Collection, Washington, D.C. : U.S. General Accounting Office, Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division, 1991. 12 p. (Report to Congressional Requesters GAO/RCED-92-15)
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 91 Document Number: C06557
Notes:
Contains Background and Table of Contents only;James F. Evans Collection, Washington, D.C. : U.S. General Accounting Office, Program Evaluation and Methodology Division, 1991. 88 p. (Report to Congressional Requesters GAO/PEMD-91-24)
Article located in ACDC collection of NAAJ/NFEA Newsletter issues., Report of a survey by Farm Futures magazine. Fifty-nine percent of responding farm readers said they feel ethical standards of producers have gotten worse during the past 10 years.
Hickman, John (author / Extension Specialist, Soil and Water Conservation, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS) and Extension Specialist, Soil and Water Conservation, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1988
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 70 Document Number: C03034
Phillips, Gerald M. (author), Wyatt, Nancy (author), and Department of Speech Communication, The Pennsylvania State University; Department of Speech Communication, The Pennsylvania State University
Format:
Book
Publication Date:
1988
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 70 Document Number: C03033
Notes:
James F. Evans Collection; Contains Table of Contents and Preface only, Norwood, NJ : Ablex Publishing Corporation, 1988. 297 p. (People, Communication, Organization)
Stark, R.W. (author / Program Manager, International Spruce Budworms Program (West), USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, OR) and Program Manager, International Spruce Budworms Program (West), USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, OR
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1984
Published:
UK
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 54 Document Number: C01044
Notes:
Phase 2; Evans, In: Moeller, G.H. and Seal, D.T., eds., Technology transfer in forestry : proceedings of a meeting of the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations, subject group s608; 1983 25 July - 1 August. London : Great Britain Forestry Commission, 1984. (Forestry Commission Bulletin No. 61) p. 32-37.
Marx, H.G. (author), Moeller, G.H. (author), and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, D.C.; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, D.C.
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1984
Published:
UK
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 54 Document Number: C01043
Notes:
Phase 2; Evans, In: Moeller, G.H. and Seal, D.T., eds., Technology transfer in forestry : proceedings of a meeting of the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations, subject group s608; 1983 25 July - 1 August. London : Great Britain Forestry Commission, 1984. (Forestry Commission Bulletin No. 61) p. 7-9.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 34 Document Number: D10692
Notes:
Claude W. Gifford Collection. PACER Project., Claude W. Gifford Collection. Six preliminary reports, 2 pages each., The PACER project was conducted in collaboration with the Office of Communication, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Preliminary reports intended for distribution to selected policy-makers within the Department. Titles:
"Public opinion about food prices"
"Public opinion about selling farm products abroad"
"Public opinion about farmers as users of energy"
"Public opinion about meat prices"
"Public opinions about causes of inflation"
"The audience of 'Across the Fence'"
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 34 Document Number: D10684
Notes:
Claude W. Gifford Collection, Claude W. Gifford Collection. 18 pages., Involves a proposal to establish a national Rural-Urban Communications Center as part of the Office of Information, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Includes goals, guidelines, programs of activity and budgets for 1972-73 and 1973-74, plans of action, and internal structure and staffing.
Hayes, Jack (author / Editor, Yearbook of Agriculture, USDA)
Format:
Report
Publication Date:
1967
Published:
USA: Office of Information, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 73 Document Number: D10784
Notes:
Claude W. Gifford Collection. Beyond his materials in the ACDC collection, the Claude W. Gifford Papers, 1919-2004, are deposited in the University of Illinois Archives. Serial Number 8/3/81. Locate finding aid at https://archives.library.illinois.edu/archon/, 66 pages., Informal history of the U.S. Yearbook of Agriculture, 1849-1967. Describes topical and publishing highlights of individual years.
USA: National Project in Agricultural Communications, East Lansing, Michigan.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: Byrnes9; Folder: NPAC File Document Number: C12649
Notes:
In Document D09071 (in the book "Ways to improve market news and information")., Francis C. Byrnes Collection, Page 15 in NPAC, Ways to improve market news and information. Summary of a Market News and Information Conference, Kansas City, Missouri, May 12-13, 1955. 24 p.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C09336
Notes:
National Association of Farm Broadcasters Archives, University of Illinois. NAFB Publications Series No. 8/3/88. Box No. 1 Contact http://www.library.uiuc.edu/ahx/ or Documentation Center, 1950 annual Report. No. 2. 3.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 116 Document Number: C11853
Journal Title Details:
pp. 63-70
Notes:
Presentation at The Sixth Annual Conferences of The American Association of Agricultural College Editors at Knoxville, TN, June 20-22, 1918, Proceedings of The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Annual Conferences of The American Association of Agricultural College Editors by Subject Term(s)
Agricultural Communicators in Education (ACE) in 1919
