9 pages, This study explored the ubaya as an indigenous ritual practiced by the Muyadan (Ammutan) Tinguian tribe of Manabo, Abra which emphasizes their strong ties to their ancestors and encourages unity and cooperation among the community. This study utilized an ethnoic thematic approach, combining structured interviews, thematic analysis, and participant observation. Two baglan leaders and ten community members from different barangays of Manabo, Abra served as study participants, contributing their knowledge of the ritual's historical context, procedures, symbolism, and its function in expressing the community's indigenous identity and customs. The findings revealed that the ritual, led by a baglan (ritual leader), is to seek Kabunian’s blessing for a bountiful harvest (pinatuk) and protection against diseases and illness (duklos). Despite the influences of modernity and external pressures, the ubaya is still a living tradition that reflects the tribe's unique knowledge system and practice. Therefore, schools should improve the implementation of indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSP) into the curriculum and provide more policies which promote the preservation of rituals as an essential manifestation of the indigenous knowledge and spirituality of the Tinguian people, highlighting its continuing cultural relevance.
21 pages, With agricultural education teachers continually leaving the teaching profession, it is up to schools and administrators to assist in retaining teachers. People are motivated differently based on their experiences and goals for their futures. Both intrinsic and altruistic motivators are highly involved when one decides to become a teacher. The expectancy-value model of achievement was utilized as the framework. The purpose of this descriptive quantitative study was to determine what pre-service agricultural education teachers’ motivations attending Iowa State University to pursue a career as an agricultural education teacher. Respondents indicated one of the most important motivating factors for their desire to teach was that they wanted to help adolescents learn. Within the study, respondents were asked about their perceptions and the highest-ranking statement was respondents think teaching is a highly-skilled occupation. Providing pre-service teachers with opportunities to teach or assist with local FFA chapters, Boys and Girls Clubs, and 4-H clubs may help in keeping pre-service agricultural education teachers motivated throughout their undergraduate experience, and assist with teacher recruitment efforts. Future research should be conducted with a larger population to see how motivations differ among pre-service teachers at different institutions.
11 pages, Existing research and practice related to digital agriculture technology adoption is largely focused on large-scale producers. In this paper, we describe a case of adopting an advanced soil monitoring system in a community-based agricultural organization. We provide guidance for Extension professionals seeking to implement or promote digital agriculture technology adoption on: selecting appropriate technology, incorporating new technology into existing practices, harnessing local technology champions, and avoiding data-driven mission creep.
26 pages, This study examines Black doctoral women’s experiences with gendered racial microaggressions in agricultural science departments at Historically White Institutions. Gendered racial microaggressions are subtle everyday expressions of oppression due to one’s race and gender, and have been used to subordinate Black women in society. Further, they have been linked to increased psychological distress, increased depressive symptoms, and lowered self-esteem. This study uses Critical Race Theory and Critical Race Feminism as theoretical lenses and critical narrative inquiry as methodology. Findings show that Black women experienced assumptions in communication style and beauty, the Angry Black Woman stereotype, and silencing and marginalization to avoid gendered racial microaggressions. Participants’ coping strategies, study implications, and directions for future research are discussed.
28 pages, Ireland’s researchers and agricultural advisors emphasize good grassland management as a hallmark of good farming. Formal structured agricultural education and training is a major model of agricultural extension that helps farmers become more innovative and adaptable. Our purpose was to explore the perspectives of Irish higher-level agricultural science and agri-business students who engaged in virtual discussion groups. We employed a co-facilitation approach to help students bridge the gap between theory and practical application in grassland management. Participants were undergraduate students enrolled in two Bachelor of Sciences programs. Third and fourth-year students (n=182) had the opportunity to join non-credit virtual discussion groups focusing on grass measuring and budgeting. Of the 59 expressions of interest, three discussion groups were formed: dairy, dairy and drystock, and drystock only. Group assignments were based on student motivations, farm interests, and grass measuring experience, ensuring the program was tailored to support student learning and innovation. The groups were designed to facilitate learning and behavior change around best practices in grassland management. Participants acknowledged the value associated with opportunities to collaborate with peers as well as experts in the field in terms of developing their knowledge and skillsets with respect to grassland management. Evidence of behavior change regarding grassland management practices at farm level are presented which suggests virtual discussion groups can support increased adoption of (complex) grassland innovations. Recommendations for future delivery are discussed.
18 pages, International study is essential in developing diverse and well-rounded global citizens who will become the next generation of world leaders. International study equips students with the skills to address the world’s most pressing and complex problems. An integral factor in the success of international graduate students is the relationship dynamic with their faculty advisor. The faculty-graduate student mentoring relationship is crucial for academic and personal success and professional development (Lim et al., 2021; Woo et al., 2015). The role of faculty advisors with international students has expanded from traditional supervisory roles to include roles as translators, confidants, and pillars for social integration (Marijanovic et al., 2021; Woo et al., 2015). In this study, we hypothesize that cognitive differences, more than cultural differences, affect the productivity of this problem-solving dyad. This study investigated the lived experiences of international graduate students related to the development of and satisfaction with the faculty-student mentoring relationship. Findings show that besides cultural intelligence, clear expectations, mutual respect, and flexibility contributed to international students' perceived satisfaction with the mentoring relationship.
25 pages, In the face of increasing consumer scrutiny of the food supply chain, communication practitioners have been determined to understand public perceptions of the food production process from ‘farm to fork.’ The beef industry has been of particular interest due to the relatively high production emissions and an increased level of public support for environmentally friendly food behaviors, such as eating less beef. To address these concerns, the USDA and industry organizations are creating programs to incentivize and promote climate-smart beef production practices. Further, a new market is being created, where products may be labeled as ‘sustainable’ or ‘climate-smart.’ In order for this market to thrive, communicators and educators must strive to educate the public about these production practices; however, little is known about how to educate the public and market these climate-smart production techniques to the public. This study sought to identify and describe unique target audiences for educational communication about climate-smart beef production using audience segmentation. Through a K-means cluster analysis, we identified four strategic target audiences based on respondents’ climate change concern, political ideology, trust in science, and perception of the environmental responsibility of the beef industry. After, we described each cluster’s demographic characteristics, beef consumption frequency, attitude toward sustainable food products, and preferred communication sources to inform strategic communication efforts. This study provides insight and recommendations for educators and other practitioners communicating about climate-smart beef as well as areas of future research into this emergent area.
23 pages, We examined how an agricultural literacy professional development enhanced equity in seven secondary agriculture classrooms in a southeastern state. Utilizing the Equity Framework in Career and Technical Education and exploratory case study methodology, we examined the equitable barriers that seven secondary agriculture education teachers faced in their school sites and how targeted professional development might alleviate some of those challenges. Our findings revealed that all seven teachers faced barriers in their schools from two areas identified in the theoretical framework: educational adequacy and equal treatment. The professional development helped alleviate the educational adequacy barrier. More research is needed to elicit the role of professional development programs in counteracting equity barriers.
9 pages, Teaching is an important part of an Extension agent’s duties; however, little is empirically understood about effective teaching practices in an Extension context. The purpose of this study was to explore the adult teaching practices of exemplary extension agents. Through a nomination process, seven agents in Florida were interviewed. The analysis revealed four themes: (a) approach to teaching adults, (b) awareness of learners, (c) planning, and (d) learning to teach. Each theme had several sub-themes. Recommendations for practice and additional research are provided.
5 pages, While strategies may differ across geographical regions, FACS Extension professionals work to enhance nutrition education and increase food security in their communities. The four dimensions of food security developed by The Food and Agricultural Organization were reconceptualized to understand food security on an individual or at a community level. Using experiences from a summer internship with two urban counties, the EEUESA Model described here was designed to aid FACS Extension professionals in their efforts for nutrition education and to better understand how programming targets food security in their communities
