15 pages, Advisory services are considered to play an important role in the development of competitiveness and sustainability in agriculture. Advisory services have been studied at policy level, structural level and within case studies, but there is still restricted knowledge about advisors’ and farmers’ view on advisory services in general. This paper presents the views of Swedish advisors and farmers on advisory services. In a survey-based study, perceptions of farm advisors and full-time farmers in commercial Swedish agriculture on advisory services were identified and statistically analysed, comparing differences between and within the groups. The results are structured around three main themes; motives for a farmer using or not using advisory services, preferred approach by the advisor and future demands on advisory services and their importance today. Possible consequences of differences in perceptions for on-farm service delivery were assessed. Similarities in perceptions on advisory services among advisors and farmers, were found in areas characterised by well-defined questions or production-related issues. Significant differences in perceptions of advisors and farmers emerged in less concrete areas and on topics connected to change, management and strategy. Consequences of discrepancies in perceptions are that advisors may deliver too much, too little or off target, especially when expectations on advisory services are not clearly expressed. A strong and proactive back-office supporting the advisors is needed to prevent these possible consequences.
10 pages., Via online journal., Pollinating insects are integral to the health of all terrestrial ecosystems and agriculture worldwide. Urbanization can greatly reduce nutritional resources and habitat for pollinators. However, these losses can be mitigated through targeted landscape practices, such as planting nectar- and pollen-rich plants and managing pollinator habitat in urban areas, especially home landscapes. As homeowners attempt to conserve pollinators through horticultural practices, they often seek the advice and guidance of horticulture retail employees. The knowledge horticulture employees have about pollinators and the recommendations they provide to customers is largely unknown. A nationwide survey was developed and distributed with the objectives to 1) assess employee knowledge about pollinators and pollination biology, 2) discover what plant and management recommendations employees were giving customers pertaining to pollinator conservation, and 3) determine where to focus possible education and outreach, as well as which topics to focus educational programs on. Our findings suggest, among our respondents, that overall knowledge was adequate, with a mean score (±sd) being 8.37 (±3.23) of a possible range of 0–14 points. Uncertified and part-time employees were identified as having significantly lower scores. The subject of plant selection was found to have the largest gap in knowledge, with a mean score of 1.82 (±0.62) of a possible three points. We identified several opportunities for educational outreach, aimed at improving employee and customer knowledge on this important subject.
Awang, A.R. (author / Department of Agricultural Education and Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011)
Format:
Report
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 97 Document Number: C07941
Notes:
abstracted from Ph.D. thesis, 1992; search through volume, In: Jacquelyn Deeds and Demetria Ford, eds. Summary of Research in Extension (1992-1993). Mississippi State, MS: Department of Agricultural Education and Experimental Statistics, Mississippi State University, July 1994. p. 115
Wells, Betty L. (author / Extension sociologist, Iowa Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University, Ames, IA) and Extension sociologist, Iowa Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Format:
Guide
Publication Date:
1987
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 80 Document Number: C04719
Notes:
In: Working with our publics. Raleigh, NC : North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service and the Department of Adult and Community College Education, North Carolina State University, [1987?]. p. 7-11, 45, 46
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 98 Document Number: C08136
Notes:
Theodore Hutchcroft Collection, Mymensingh, Bangladesh: Graduate Training Institute, Bangladesh Agricultural University, July 1985. 75 p. (GTI publication no. 55).
Gonzalez, I.M. (author), Lindley, W.I. (author), and Agricultural and Extension Officer at FAO; Agricultural Education at Iowa State University, Ames,Iowa, USA
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1984
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 100 Document Number: C08510
Journal Title Details:
31
Notes:
In: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 1983 training for agriculture and rural development; 1984 111-114; Rome
