Bowen, Blannie E. (author), Cooper, Barbara E. (author), and Rumberger Professor of Agriculture, Pennsylvania State University; Rumberger Professor of Agriculture, Pennsylvania State University
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1988
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 71 Document Number: C03229
Bhowmik, Sharit (author) and Patel, Meena (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1996
Published:
India
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D00563
Notes:
Pages 143-164 in Marilyn Carr, Martha Chen and Renana Jhabvala (eds.) Speaking out: women's economic empowerment in South Asia. Intermediate Technology Publications, London, UK. On behalf of Aga Khan Foundation Canada and United Nations Development Fund for Women. 238 pages.
15 pages., ISSN-1042-0541, Via ERIC., Employers have identified oral and written communications skills to be the most important skills graduates should possess when entering the workforce. In order for faculty to better understand their students' oral and written communications skills, they should understand what apprehension the students have toward oral and written communications. Specifically, no studies have been found that explore communication apprehension (CA) or writing apprehension (WA) in agricultural communications students. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore agricultural communications students' perceptions of CA and WA. Participants believe agricultural communications instructors set up an environment that is conducive to changing behavior. However, students realized and identified areas of improvement that could help them lower their CA and WA. Recommendations for practice are provided in order to help alleviate CA and WA in agricultural communications students.
Ekstrom, Brenda L. (author), Leistritz, F. Larry (author), Rathge, Richard W. (author), and Department of Agricultural Economics, North Dakota State University.
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1989
Published:
USA: Athens, GA : The University of Georgia.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 85 Document Number: C05583
AGRICOLA IND 90037924, This study explores the characteristics of North Dakota families who quit farming between 1980 and 1986 for economic reasons. It describes (1) the demographic characteristics of former operators as well as the structural and financial characteristics of their former farms, (2) the financial circumstances of their departure from farming and the support systems they used in their transition, and (3) their current employment situation and perceived family financial well-being. These data are compared with those of a cross section of households that were operating farms in the state in 1986. The findings clearly indicate that significant numbers of farm families are making the transition to other occupations and that, in many cases, this transition involves migrating to urban areas. Displaced farmers who chose to leave their community were typically younger, more educated, and had less equity than those who chose to stay. Such selective migration poses numerous negative consequences for communities, such as declining school enrollments, membership losses in churches, a reduction in volunteers, and stagnation in community organizations. Additionally, the findings indicate that one in three displaced farmers did not take advantage of important community-based support systems to aid in their transition. This suggests that an important role for community development practitioners is to develop community-based programs that reduce the stigma of failure associated with those who quit farming while offering aid and assistance to marginal farmers. The major challenge for practitioners, however, is to devise a strategy that will broaden their area's economic base. Programs focusing on educational and technical assistance for local business operators, alternative delivery systems for community services, and the recruitment of young leaders and volunteers must receive high priority.
