11 pages, This proof-of-concept study explores the innovative application of Large Language Models (LLMs) for qualitative analysis of feedback from an Extension program, addressing the challenge of efficiently analyzing qualitative data. The study juxtaposes traditional human-led qualitative analysis with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven techniques, revealing the complementary strengths of human insights and AI efficiency. It underscores the potential of LLMs to enhance qualitative analysis while recognizing the need for human oversight to ensure depth and context accuracy. This research contributes to the fields of program evaluation and data analysis, offering a new paradigm for integrating advanced AI tools in qualitative research.
Wine workshops hosted at local wineries positively impacted the behavior of Iowa wine consumers. Many participants (75%) reported visiting an Iowa winery following the workshop. The percentage of participants consuming Iowa wines increased by 20.6% (p < 0.001) following the workshop. Based on these outcomes, it appears these three hour wine workshops are a very useful opportunity for consumers to be engaged and involved, and to learn about local grapes and wines as well as to improve their behavior toward local products.
11 pages, This research aims to examine the relation between farmer organization and welfare using Propensity Score Matching approach. Numerous prior studies have demonstrated that farmers’ involvement in a producer group significantly affects their income levels, efficiency rates, and the adoption of cutting-edge agricultural technologies. However, there have been few studies on salt farming in Madura Island, despite its status as a primary salt producer in Indonesia. This study focused on examining how the participation of salt farmers in farmer groups, specifically known as the “Traditional Salt Business Group” (or Kelompok Usaha Garam Rakyat [KUGAR] in Indonesian), impacts their agricultural income. In this study, the researchers examined primary data collected through interviews with 115 traditional salt farmers on Madura Island, East Java, Indonesia. Logistic regression analysis revealed three independent variables affecting the decisions of salt farmers, specifically farmer’s latest level of education, salt production in the last season, and the number of their family members. Then, employing a Propensity Score Matching (PSM) approach, the study showed a significant income disparity between salt farmers who were KUGAR members and those who are not. Moreover, the level of education emerged as a key determinant influencing salt farmers’ decisions to join KUGAR. Furthermore, the Indonesian government could intervene by encouraging younger salt farmers to join the producer groups to realize benefits, including improvements in the well-being of salt farmers.
5 pages, Farmers face unique occupational and interpersonal stressors that increase risk for poor physical and mental health outcomes. To educate farmers and their families about these risks, one state’s Family and Consumer Sciences faculty partnered with Agriculture and Natural Resources faculty with input from county agents to develop a series of online educational programs that were delivered as part of the state Agricultural Enhancement Program. Twenty-eight participants completed the pilot project and feedback surveys. Lessons learned include the need to have speakers from farming backgrounds, incorporate health topics that emphasize the connection with farming, and to include engaging visuals.
8 pages, The National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization (NAITCO) is a professional network of state and territory Agriculture in the Classroom programs. Its purpose is to provide national leadership in promoting agricultural literacy with the vision that “agriculture is valued by all” (National Agriculture in the Classroom, Citation2023c, Vision, para. 2). The organization grew out of a task force formed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1981 (National Agriculture in the Classroom, Citation2023e). Agricultural literacy is not a new concept. In the late 1980s, the National Research Council of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences established the Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools Committee to examine the status and forecast the future of agricultural education. The impetuses behind this research were the many forces identified by the Council that were challenging American agriculture and education.
6 pages, With most of the student attrition occurring early in undergraduate educational programs (Braunstein et al., 1997) it is necessary to interest and motivate students early on. The demographics of animal science students have shifted to students with minimal background in food producing animals. This presents a unique challenge as the current student population represents a diverse array of backgrounds and prior experiences. As a result, students enroll in undergraduate animal science programs with various expectations for their undergraduate degree and a focus primarily on careers in veterinary medicine. To engage all students, interest and motivation need to be generated. This review will use motivational frameworks as outlined by the self-determination theory, expectancy value theory, and interest, to explain the impact of the proposed solutions. Active learning classroom strategies are linked to increased knowledge compared with traditional, passive classrooms (Wells et al., 2019). Active learning shifts from a traditional teaching model to a student-centered model, which transitions instructors to facilitators of learning. This review summarizes current proposed pedagogies that have been researched in animal science classrooms such as experiential learning, flipped classrooms, hands-on animal experience, undergraduate research experiences, mentorship opportunities, capstone experiences, service-learning experiences, team-based learning, and cooperative learning. The limitations of these proposed pedagogies and the future research needed are also discussed.
13 pages, Dry cow management practices influence on health, welfare and milk production of cows. Poor farmer–cow relationship and negative attitudes of the farmer on humane practices will reduce cow welfare and overall productivity. In this study, farmers’ attitudes on key dry cow management practices and welfare were observed using a questionnaire in a face to face interview with forty dairy farmers in Kandy District, Sri Lanka. Collected data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. The majority of the farmers were men (77.5%), whereas small-scale farming (87.5%) with part-time involvement (72.5%) were noticed. Critical risk factors of dry cow welfare such as no higher satisfaction about the industry (74.3%), poor awareness on concept of animal welfare (10%), hoof caring (42.5%), inspection of teats (10%), and deworming (30%) were identified. Male farmers were better than females in welfare-friendly attitudes for health (P = 0.033) and calving management (P = 0.018). Part-time farmers also had a significant impact on welfare positive attitudes towards calving and health management practices (P = 0.038, P = 0.013 respectively). Considerable percentage of farmers were uncertain on (Health management – 10.8%, Housing management – 18.8%, Feeding management – 15.0%, and Calving management – 5.6%) welfare-friendly routine. Hence, we suggest, further improvement to positive welfare attitudes towards dry cow management should be targeted via proper knowledge dissemination and education programs.
20 pages, Organic agriculture has the potential to improve the environmental performance of U.S. agriculture, supporting increasing food demand and diversification of food consumption while improving the quality of ecosystems. Organic growers are challenged by a lack of Cooperative Extension agent support as agents have not served organic growers to the same extent as conventional growers nationwide. Rogers’ (2003) diffusion of innovations theory guided our phenomenological inquiry to explore (a) what agents experienced while supporting organic growers, and (b) how agents experienced providing support to organic growers in north Georgia. According to participants, the essence of the support offered to organic growers was an uneven bridge. Agents were willing to provide growers with the resources to support organic production; however, they lacked theoretical and empirical knowledge regarding organic agricultural production that would enable them to establish stronger relationships with growers. Findings from the study and the uneven bridge metaphor led to an original model to assist Extension agents in better serving the organic agricultural community.
6 pages, What happens when volunteers disengage from an Extension program? What steps should Extension professionals take to fill a vacated role? There is a robust amount of research regarding best retention practices once volunteers are plugged into a program. However, there is a gap in current volunteer literature regarding practical applications to prepare existing volunteers to take on new roles. Incorporating proven strategies through practical applications would allow Extension professionals to address volunteer disengagement before it happens. Extension professionals can consider 10 steps to develop a succession plan to address volunteer disengagement.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 142 Document Number: D11531
Notes:
5 pages., Retrieved April 4, 2020, from the Campus Explorer website., Identified selected agricultural communications and journalism education programs at U.S. colleges and universities.
17 pages., via online journal article, The Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention
Program (SFLR) was launched in 2012 to increase adoption of sustainable forestry practices among African American landowners in
the southeastern United States to prevent land loss, increase forest
health, and build economic assets. One of its main goals was to
build communication networks through which African American
landowners could obtain and share information about forestry practices and landowner assistance programs independent of public agencies. To measure and examine the growth of these communication
networks over a three-year period (2014-2017), we conducted 87
interviews with landowners (24 of whom were interviewed multiple
times), SFLR personnel, and Federal and State staff members in
North Carolina. We used complementary methods of data gathering
and analysis, including social network analysis and qualitative analysis. Our results showed expanding communication networks will be
sustained independently of the program over time, although there is
still a heavy reliance on program personnel.
4 pages, Educators use school gardens to incorporate science, technology, engineering, and math programming into their curricula. Extension agents are called on to assist with planning and long-term support of these gardens, often working with educators who have no horticultural experience. University of Georgia Extension's school garden team created a multitiered approach to serving these gardeners while ensuring efficient use of Extension agents' time and resources. This approach includes a beginning-steps publication, hands-on garden training, and school garden associations. The result is more sustainable school gardens with limited frustration on the parts of school gardeners and Extension agents.
Bruening, Thomas H. (author), Larson, Ginger (author), Bruce, Jacklyn A. (author), and Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education
Format:
Paper
Publication Date:
2009-05
Published:
South Africa
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 185 Document Number: D00430
Notes:
Pages 313-321 proceedings of the 25th annual meeting of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education in San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 24-28, 2009.
Fishel, F. (author / University of Missouri, Columbia)
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1998-06-14
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 104 Document Number: C09077
Notes:
1998 National Extension Technology Conference. June 14-17, 1998 . St. Louis, MO. 2 p. http://outreach.missouri.edu/netc98/manuscripts/ppa_cd-rom_fishel.html
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 105 Document Number: C09106
Notes:
1998 National Extension Technology Conference. June 14-17, 1998 . St. Louis, MO. 3 p. http://outreach.missouri.edu/netc98/manuscripts/evaluating_internet_education_.htm
Day, D. (author / University of Missouri - Columbia), Redelfs, M. (author / University of Missouri - Columbia), Byers, A. (author / University of Nebraska), Bomash, W. (author / University of Missouri), and Brekke, R. (author / Iowa State University)
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1998-06-14
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 105 Document Number: C09100
Notes:
1998 National Extension Technology Conference. June 14-17, 1998 . St. Louis, MO. 4 p. http://outreach.missouri.edu/netc98/manuscripts/day-redelfs-buyers.html
Leising, James (author), Scanlon, Dennis C. (author), Shinn, Glen C. (author), Sutphin, Dean (author), and Head of Agricultural Education, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; Director of academic Programs, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; Agricultural Education, University of California, Davis, CA; Agricultural Education, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1995-02
Published:
USA: Agricultural Education Magazine, Inc., Henry, IL 61537
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 99 Document Number: C08343
Bruhn, Christine M. (author / Cooperative Extension Consumer Food Marketing Specialists, Center for Consumer Research, University of California, Davis, CA)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1992-03
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 92 Document Number: C06779
biotechnology; food safety, AGRICOLA FNI 92001478, Surveys and workshops emphasize that education is the key to public understanding and proper evaluation of biotechnology (original)
Fitzpatrick, Jacki A. (author), Smith, Thomas A. (author), Williamson, Sally A. (author), and Department of Family and Child Development, Auburn University, Auburn University, AL
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1992
Published:
USA: Minneapolis, MN : The National Council on Family Relations.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 92 Document Number: C06754
Ingram, Dewayne L. (author), Israel, Glenn D. (author), and Israel: Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Ingram: Professor and Chair, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1991
Published:
USA: Madison, WI : Extension Journal.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 92 Document Number: C06752
Anderson, K. (author), Mrozek, E. (author), and North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1990
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 93 Document Number: C06925
Notes:
AGRICOLA IND 91023383, In: Zazueta, Fedro S., ed. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Computers in Agricultural Extension Programs; 1990 January 31 - February 1; Grosvenor Resort Hotel, Disney World Village, Lake Buenavista, FL. Gainesville, FL : Florida Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, [1990]. p. 687-692
Barbieri, Kirk E. (author / Software Development Manager, Agricultural Information Services, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA) and Software Development Manager, Agricultural Information Services, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1988
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 74 Document Number: C03659
Notes:
James F. Evans Collection; See C03651 for original; AGRICOLA IND 91052225, In: Zazueta, Fedro S., and Bottcher, A.B. (Del), eds. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Computers in Agricultural Extension Programs; 1988 February 10-11; Lake Buenavista (Orlando), FL. Gainesville, FL : University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, 1988. Vol. 2, p. 487-492
Allen, C.E. (author / Dean, College of Agriculture, University of Minnesota)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1987
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 94 Document Number: C07197
Notes:
AGRICOLA IND 89038987, In: Grain legumes as alternative crops : a symposium sponsored by the Center for Alternative Crops and Products, University of Minnesota, July 23-24, 1987. St. Paul, MN : Center for Alternative Crops and Products, 1987. p. 1-6
Golden, W. G. (author) and Sirinayake, D.W. (author)
Format:
Paper
Publication Date:
1971-04
Published:
Philippines
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: Byrnes1 Document Number: C12147
Notes:
Francis C. Byrnes Collection, Presented at the International Rice Research Conference, International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos, Philippines. 13 p.
17 pages, Agricultural mechanics is a prominent agricultural subject matter area in many agricultural education programs throughout Georgia. Hainline and Wells (2024) indicated that early-career agriculture teachers often have different agricultural mechanics professional development (PD) needs than their more-experienced colleagues. Hence, our study focused on early-career agriculture teachers. We used human capital theory (HCT) to theoretically underpin our study. To conduct our study, we used a valid and reliable research instrument that contained eight demographics items and 65 agricultural mechanics items. Wells and Hainline (2021) previously used this instrument to conduct their national-level study of agriculture teachers’ agricultural mechanics PD needs. We distributed this instrument via e-mail to 253 early-career agriculture teachers throughout Georgia; however, only 243 emails delivered successfully. Seventy-six teachers provided usable data, yielding a 31.3% response rate. Using mean weighted discrepancy scores (MWDS), we found that the greatest PD needs among early-career Georgia agriculture teachers were: (1) American Welding Society (AWS) standards for welding procedures, (2) Procedures for structural welding, and (3) Principles of metallurgy (ex. identifying metals, proper use of metals, etc.). We recommend that Georgia agricultural education stakeholders use our findings to structure PD sessions that address early-career Georgia agriculture teachers’ greatest agricultural mechanics PD needs. We advise that scholars should engage with mid- and late-career Georgia agriculture teachers to examine their agricultural mechanics PD needs as well.
