Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 151 Document Number: D09982
Notes:
Document from files of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Submitted to the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Government of Kenya by the Office of International Agriculture, College of Agriculture, University of Illinois. Involves possible collaboration with Edgerton College to develop an agricultural education institution of excellence in the land-grant tradition.
3pgs, The program will pair high school and college students in what’s called a “near peer” model to help ease the minority participants into the mentorship.
7pgs, Liberating Structures (LS) provide a user-friendly toolkit to shift group power dynamics and allow all stakeholders to contribute. We explored the novel use of LS in soil health extension to conduct high-engagement events with diverse stakeholders. Our goals were to promote social learning, networking, and to encourage innovation. Soil health themes emerged highlighting specific practices, and the necessity of addressing broader scope issues of education, economics, and policy. Participants reported increased knowledge of soil health, professional connections, and forecasted participation in soil-health-promoting activities. Participants also expressed a sense of community, expanded perspectives, and appreciation of the co-development process.
