Chizari, Mohammad (author) and Movahedi, Reza (author)
Format:
Proceedings
Publication Date:
2005-05-25
Published:
Iran
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 150 Document Number: C24332
Journal Title Details:
21
Notes:
James J. Connors of The Ohio State University edited the proceedings., 9 p. Paper presented at the International Agricultural and Extension Education group's 21st annual conference May 25-31, 2005, in San Antonio, TX
12 pages., Article #: 1274944, via online journal., Agricultural extension is perceived as the primary mechanism through which farmers expand their ability to adopt and adapt new technologies and ideas. The use of Information and Communication Technology like videos in extension is being fronted as an alternative to the conventional Face-to face extension approach (F2FEA). A comparison of effectiveness of the Video-mediated extension approach (VMEA) and F2FEA among rice farmers in two districts of Uganda challenges the independent use of the two approaches. A cross-sectional survey of two nonequivalent groups subjected to VMEA in Kamwenge and F2FEA in Hoima districts was conducted with 196 farmers. The results indicate greater potential for integration of VMEA and F2FEA as the two are complementary in the various stages of the farmer learning framework developed. VMEA is significantly better in awareness creation and sharing of knowledge and experiences while the F2FEA is significantly better at enhancing knowledge acquisition and retention and application. The relative strengths of VMEA and F2FEA can best be harnessed through integration of the approaches. The integration will not solve the problem of large farmer to extension ratio common in developing countries but will rather make the extension workers more effective. The integration however calls for rethinking of institutional
arrangement, roles of the extension worker, and pragmatic retooling of the extension worker to embrace social learning principles that empower farmers to be more self-directed learners and innovators.
In farming professions, the question of training for care of the environment has to address the complex nature of the relationship between farming and the environment together with the objectives of professional training. Using the example of a farming task, maize weeding, the author points out the particularities of decision-making on a farm. The consequences for professional training are teaching in complexity and training for professional action. In this context, training for care of the environment can only be effectively incorporated into farming practices if training methods propose a pragmatic approach.
Place, Nick T. (author), Cornejo, Camilo (author), and Haman, Dorota Z. (author)
Format:
Proceedings
Publication Date:
2005-05-25
Published:
El Salvador
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 150 Document Number: C24335
Journal Title Details:
21
Notes:
James J. Connors of The Ohio State University edited the proceedings., 12 p. Paper presented at the International Agricultural and Extension Education group's 21st annual conference May 25-31, 2005, in San Antonio, TX
5pgs, Attention to stress and mental health among agricultural producers has increased over recent years, and Cooperative Extension has been active in offering educational workshops and resources to agricultural audiences. This article describes the process and effectiveness of expanding two (university) Extension farm stress management programs to Cooperative Extension in other states through a national Farm Stress Management Summit. The two-day training Summit provided deeper knowledge about farm stress issues and prepared Extension professionals to offer behavioral health programs in their own communities and respective states. Evaluation findings highlight effective aspects of the Summit and next steps.
16 pages, via online journal, Purpose: This study elucidates on how faculty supervision support to students during farm placements and other facilitating conditions influence farmer learning in the student-centred university outreach.
Methodology/Design/Approach: Cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of 283 farmers who had previously hosted students of Gulu University in the student-to-farmer university outreach. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse how faculty supervision support to students in combination with other facilitating conditions affect the formation of intentions for learning and actual farmer learning behaviour.
Findings: Faculty supervision support in the student-to-farmer outreach was found to significantly influence formation of intentions for learning (β = 0.380; t = 5.263; P < .01) and actual farmer learning behaviour (β = 0.182; t = 2.081; P < .05).
Practical implications: Faculty supervision support to students is critical to fostering lasting learning relationships in university outreach. Thus, it needs to be a part of the transformation agenda of the higher education sector for improved community linkages and innovation.
Theoretical implications: Empirical data obtained from the context of student-centred university outreach is used to extend the model of facilitating conditions.
Originality/Value: The study addresses how faculty supervision support together with farmers’ perception of student attitudes and the value of the learning content influence farmers’ learning behaviour during university outreach.
9 pages, This study assessed crop farmers’ willingness to pay for AESs and identified factors influencing their willingness to pay for AESs. Data were collected from 292 randomly selected crop farmers’ households between December 2017 and February 2018 using a questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and Tobit regression model. The study found that 92% of the respondents are willing to pay for AESs. It was also found that farmer’s age, education attainment, farming experience, distance from farm to the nearest important road, income (both farm and nonfarm) and attitude towards AESs are significant determinants of farmers willingness to pay for AESs. The study recommends that these variables be given proper policy consideration by the government and other stakeholders in the design and the implementation of a workable fashion of privatizing extension services for the expected impact of improving extension services and farmers’ productivity hence improved quality of life.
10 pages., Via online journal., The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing people's participation in the exploitation of water resources for agriculture. The population consists of experts with a B.A. and higher degree employed in various sectors of Agriculture Organization, Water Organization and Research Center of Urmia city. The sample was randomly selected, and the sample size was determined through Kerjice and Morgan table to be 196. This is an applied field study. The survey tool is a structured questionnaire with close-ended question and its validity and reliability is confirmed by experienced professors, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient which indicates the validity of the questionnaire is calculated to be 0.834. The results show that there is a significant relationship among the administrative, social, cultural, educational, economic, ecological, technical, structural and political factors and the importance of people's participation in the exploitation of water resources for agriculture. The results of multiple regression showed that the independent variables explained 66 percent of the dependent variable variance. According to finding in this research these recommendation comments: Improvement and shortening of water transfer networks in order to speed up the transfer of water and reduction of water loss. Government financial support in the agricultural-industrial sector in order to use new technologies. Preventing economic, social, environmental and political losses due to Urmia Lake drying. Maintaining the diversity of plants and crops through water management and environmental management and environmental ethics. The role of mass media such as radio and television, the use of other channels of communication in highlighting the importance of optimal water consumption. Government support for farmers to renew or launch pipeline for farms and gardens to prevent water losses, as well as supporting new irrigation methods and repairing old transmission lines. Increasing cooperation between people and society and even the state regarding participation in the optimal use of water resources.
Olson, Kent D. (author), Hachfield, Gary A. (author), Bau, David B. (author), Holcomb, C. Robert (author), Kurtz, James N. (author), and Craig, J. William (author)
Format:
Online article
Publication Date:
2009-04
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 176 Document Number: C30110
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: Byrnes2 Document Number: C12338
Notes:
Francis C. Byrnes Collection, Pages 340-343 in Borton, Raymond E. (ed.), Selected readings to accompany getting agriculture moving. Volume 1. Agricultural Development Council, New York, NY. 526 p.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 117 Document Number: C13118
Journal Title Details:
75 pages
Notes:
RIRDC Research Report in human capital, communications and information systems, Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC), Barton, ACT, Australia
Mingliang Guo (author), Xiangping Jia (author), Jikun Huang (author), Kumar, Krishna (author), Burger, Nicholas E. (author), and Center for Resources, Environment and Food Security, China Agricultural University
center for Chinese Agricultural Policy, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
RAND
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2015
Published:
Elsevier
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 16 Document Number: D10463
8 pages., Via online journal., We collaborate with the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effects of farmer field schools (FFS) on the knowledge acquisition by farmers in rice production in Anhui, China. The intensification of China’s agricultural production has raised widespread environmental concerns. Lack of advisory services to increase awareness and knowledge has been found to be the primary constraint to improving farming and environmental outcomes. However, training millions of small farmers is a significant challenge. To impart the knowledge of sustainable and low-carbon farm management, the MOA recently piloted a FFS program through its public extension system. A participatory approach to rural advisory services, FFS was initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organization during the late 1980s in Asia, and at present is being practiced in more than 90 developing countries. However, the effectiveness of the FFS program has not been conclusively demonstrated, and the results of previous impact evaluations have varied greatly according to evaluation methods. A major drawback of previous studies has been selective participation in the program, leading to biased estimates of program effects. We use an RCT to overcome these problems. The results are heterogeneous: FFS effectively improved farmers’ knowledge of pest management and agro-environment; however, we find no effects on nutrient management and cultivation knowledge. Furthermore, the effects were smaller for female and old participants. Being a “best-design” approach of agricultural extension initiated by FAO, FFS faces challenges to be “best-fit” in China, where urbanization and agricultural transformation are emerging.
24 pages, Farmer-led research (FLR) is a process of inquiry wherein farmers use scientific methods to address their own on-farm curiosities and challenges in ways that are compatible with the scale and management style of their operations. With its flexible, adaptable, participatory, grassroots-oriented nature, FLR has typically been employed by farmers interested in ecological farming techniques and technologies, and evidence shows that it contributes to the adoption and improvement of ecological management practices across a range of contexts. Engagement in FLR initiatives has also been linked to positive social outcomes, including community-building, farmer empowerment, and enhanced capacity for leadership and collective action. In this paper, we present a case study of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario’s (EFAO) Farmer-Led Research Program (FLRP), which is currently one of relatively few FLR initiatives in North America. We draw on data from a participatory, mixed-methods research project. Our results highlight how the FLRP is enabling farmers to feel more knowledgeable, confident, motivated, and inspired to adopt and/or improve ecological practices on their farms, in part by supporting them in building robust social networks that align with their farming values and priorities.
Prokopy, Linda S. (author), Arbuckle, J.G. (author), Barnes, Andrew P. (author), Haden, V. R. (author), Hogan, Anthony (author), Niles, Meredith T. (author), and Tyndall, John (author)
Format:
Online journal article
Publication Date:
2015
Published:
Springer
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 18 Document Number: D10507
13 pages., via online journal., Climate change has serious implications for the agricultural industry—both in terms of the need to adapt to a changing climate and to modify practices to mitigate for the impacts of climate change. In high-income countries where farming tends to be very intensive and large scale, it is important to understand farmers’ beliefs and concerns about climate change in order to develop appropriate policies and communication strategies. Looking across six study sites—Scotland, Midwestern United States, California, Australia, and two locations in New Zealand—this paper finds that over half of farmers in each location believe that climate change is occurring. However, there is a wide range of beliefs regarding the anthropogenic nature of climate change; only in Australia do a majority of farmers believe that climate change is anthropogenic. In all locations, a majority of farmers believe that climate change is not a threat to local agriculture. The different policy contexts and existing impacts from climate change are discussed as possible reasons for the variation in beliefs. This study compared varying surveys from the different locations and concludes that survey research on farmers and climate change in diverse locations should strive to include common questions to facilitate comparisons.
Hyland, John J. (author), Jones, Davey L. (author), Parkhill, Karen A. (author), Barnes, Andrew P. (author), Williams, APrysor. (author), and School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography, Bangor University, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2016-06
Published:
United Kingdom: Springer Science+Business Media, Van Godewijckstraat 30 Dordrecht 3311 GX Netherlands
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 164 Document Number: D08215
13 pages., via online journal., This study examined the feasibility of the use of mobile phones as an educational tool in agricultural extension services in the Guilan Province of Iran. A descriptive-survey methodology was employed on a sample population of 120 agricultural extension agents. Data were analyzed at descriptive and inferential levels using SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The results of the factor analysis indicated that the application of mobile phones in extension activities was influenced by three factors: economic, skill, and infrastructure. These factors accounted for 52.3% of the variance. Moreover, the possibility for the development of mobile phones as an educational medium is impacted by social, financial-credit, information-communicational, psychological, and improper conditions factors that, in total, captured 70.4% of the variance.
Sethu Rao, M. K. (author), Sivaramakrishnan, H. (author), and Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Dharwar; Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwar
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1976
Published:
India
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 43 Document Number: B05180
Pontius, John (author), Dilts, Russell (author), Bartlett, Andrew (author), and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.
Format:
Report
Publication Date:
2002-07
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 147 Document Number: C23372
Notes:
From FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand., ACDC file contains title and content pages, plus sections about historical context of the farmer field schools and the big picture of opportunities for new dimensions of community IPM.
Simnitt, Skyler (author), Borisova, Tatiana (author), Chavez, Dario (author), Olmstead, Mercy (author), and University of Florida
University of Georgia
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2017-06
Published:
United States: American Society for Horticultural Science
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 16 Document Number: D10443
11 pages., Via journal article., The study focuses on frost protection for early-season (early-ripening) peach (Prunus persica) varieties, which are an important crop for producers in the southeastern United States. Using in-depth interviews with four major Georgia peach producers, we explore their frost protection management strategies. This information is the first step in developing a comprehensive research agenda to advise cost-effective frost protection methods for peach cultivation. We found that peach producers are concerned about frost impacts on their crops. Although early-season peach varieties are particularly susceptible to frost impacts, producers still dedicate significant acreage to these varieties, aiming to extend the market window, satisfy sales contracts, and meet obligations for hired labor. However, early-season varieties do not result in high profits, so producers prefer to concentrate on frost protection for mid- and late-season varieties. Producers employ a variety of frost protection methods, including passive methods (such as planting sensitive varieties in areas less susceptible to frost and adjusting pruning/thinning schedules) and active methods (such as frost protection irrigation and wind machines). The choice among active frost protection methods is based on factors such as the planning horizon, initial investment needs, frequency of frost events, and the effectiveness of the frost protection method. Problem areas that producers identified included improving the effectiveness of frost protection methods; reducing initial investments required to install frost protection systems; and employing better spatial targeting and configuration of frost protection strategies (to reduce investment costs while maintaining or improving the effectiveness of frost protection). Although the initial investment costs of enhanced protection systems may limit producers from actually adopting such methods, the operating costs of such systems are relatively low and have a limited effect on the decision to employ frost protection during a particular frost event. However, producers use information about critical temperatures for different bud stages, and hence, improving the quality of information regarding frost susceptibility can help producers make better frost protection decisions (and potentially reduce electricity costs and water use for frost protection).
14 pages., Article #:3FEA9, via online journal., This article reports on a study to determine which information sources organic growers use to inform farming practices by conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with 23 organic farmers across 17 North Carolina counties. Effective information sources included: networking, agricultural organizations, universities, conferences, Extension, Web resources, personal experience, books, organic buyers/certifiers, and consultants. Results suggest that grower-to-grower networking is a highly effective information-seeking behavior for organic growers. Recommendations for Extension personnel include reshaping educational programing for organic growers to include peer-to-peer information sharing, as well as increased investment to graduate and undergraduate programs that train future Extension agents in organic production approaches.
Asia: Agricultural Research and Extension Network, Overseas Development Institute
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 136 Document Number: C20770
Notes:
Burton Swanson Collection, pages 1-4, Network Paper no. 59b from "Farmer-led approaches to extension : papers presented at a workshop in the Philippines, July 1995"
Dubey, V.K. (author), Dwivedi, N.N. (author), and Department of Agricultural Extension, K.A. Post-Graduate College of Agriculture, Allahabad, India; Department of Agricultural Extension, K.A. Post-Graduate College of Agriculture, Allahabad, India
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1972-03
Published:
India
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 44 Document Number: B05341
Meyers, Courtney (author), Shaw, Kelsey (author), Irlbeck, Erica (author), Doerfert, David (author), Abrams, Katie (author), and Morgan, Chris (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2015
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 153 Document Number: D06851
Describes a mentoring program sponsored by the National Immigrant Farming Initiative that links aspiring Latino immigrant farmers with established U.S. farmers
Rajaguru, G.S. (author), Venkataramaiah, P. (author), and Agricultural Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, College of Agriculture, Dharwar, India; Department of Extension, College of Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, India
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1975-06-16
Published:
India
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 43 Document Number: B05051
19 pages., Article 3945, Via online journal., Information communication technology (ICT) has changed the traditional agricultural extension service mode worldwide. This paper examines the effects of the Rural Distance Education Project (RDEP) on the household income, agricultural productivity, and off-farm employment of farmers in peri-urban areas in Beijing. Using the survey data of 783 randomly selected farm households from 54 villages in three Beijing peri-urban districts in 2014, and the propensity score matching method (PSM), we find that the RDEP has a significant and positive effect on agricultural productivity and input use. Meanwhile, the program’s effects are heterogeneous across districts and households. For example, the RDEP has significant impacts on several outcome indicators, such as agricultural labor productivity (at a 5% level of significance), agricultural land productivity (at a 10% level), and input use intensity (at a 1% level) in Tongzhou (an agriculturally more important district, with a more intensive RDEP usage), but none of these effects is significant in Pinggu district. Furthermore, the RDEP is found to have bigger, and statistically more significant effects, for households with junior high school education than for those with either lower or higher than junior high school education. Furthermore, the RDEP is more effective for households with more assets than those with fewer assets. These results point toward the importance of using a rural distance education program as an effective extension service, and the need to take community and individual characteristics into account in the implementation and design of future programs.
Etling, Arlen W. (author), Rockwell, S. Kay (author), Engiz, Ahmet Mufit (author), and Fritz, Susan (author)
Format:
Proceedings
Publication Date:
1999-03-22
Published:
Turkey: Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 138 Document Number: C20968
Notes:
Burton Swanson Collection, 8 pages, Session D, from "1999 conference proceedings -- Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education", 15th Annual Conference, 21-24 March 1999, Port of Spain, Trinidad, 25-26, Tobago
Brodt, Sonja B. (author), Klonsky, Karen (author), Tourte, Laura (author), Duncan, Roger (author), Hendricks, Lonnie (author), Ohmart, Cliff (author), and Verdegaal, Paul (author)
Format:
Research paper
Publication Date:
2004-12
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 147 Document Number: C23445
The authors consider the adoption of biologically integrated agricultural practices from the perspective of farm management style. Adoption decisions for farming practices must fit into a broader farm decision-making context that incorporates economic, environmental, social, family and personal considerations, as well as use of agricultural information sources. Drawing from a study of California almond and winegrape growers, the authors demonstrate that management styles differ substantially among farmers and that these differences affect use of information sources and adoption of biologically based practices on the farm. A two-season mail survey of farming practices and information sources demonstrated that differences in management styles affect the adoption of practices.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1997
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 148 Document Number: C23709
Notes:
In "Management of Agricultural Research: A Training Manual, Module 8, Research-Extension Linkage." Entire book posted at: http://sadl.uleth.ca/nz/cgi-bin/library? {Click on Agricultural Information Modules and search by book title}, 6 p.
Fliegel, Frederick C. (author), Kivlin, Joseph E. (author), Roy, Prodipto (author), Sen, Lalit K. (author), and Associate Professor of Sociology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH; Head, Department of Sociology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL; Director of Research, Council for Social Development, India International Centre, New Delhi, India; Director of Sociology, National Institute of Community Development, Hyderabad, India
Format:
Book
Publication Date:
1971
Published:
India
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 43 Document Number: B05097
Notes:
Evans, cited reference; Includes Table of Contents only, Bowling Green, OH : Bowling Green State University Press, 1971. 287 p.
This article is maintained in the office of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois > "International" section > "Philippines CARD Group" file folder., Summarizes findings of a study by the Philippine Tobacco Research and Training Center. They revealed effectiveness of radio schools involving instruction for tobacco farmers.
USA: Kansas State Agricultural College, Manhattan, Kansas.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C14860
Notes:
Industrial Journalism Series VIII. Kansas State Agricultural College Bulletin, Volume 11, Number 8., Presentation at a conference of Kansas editors and extension workers.
Peru, India: Finding Common Ground; ISSN 0920-8771; Summarized from Maria Lina, Danilio Gatchalian, Florencio Galapon Jr., 1998 Kalikasan-NE: a documentation and evaluation of experiences in sustainable agriculture. Internal report of the ILEIA Research Programme
Singh, Y.P. (author / Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Extension, R.B.S. College, Bichpuri, India) and Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Extension, R.B.S. College, Bichpuri, India
Format:
Book
Publication Date:
1965
Published:
India
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 43 Document Number: B05107
Notes:
Evans, cited reference; table of contents, summary only, Agra, India: Satish Book Enterprise, 1965. 204 p.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 117 Document Number: C12790
Notes:
Pages 148-165 in M.R. Dua and V.S. Gupta (eds.), Media and development: themes in communication and extension. Har-Anand Publications, New Delhi, India. 176 p.
Yoder, Delmar R. (author / West Virginia University)
Format:
Proceedings
Publication Date:
1991-03-28
Published:
Indonesia: Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 132 Document Number: C19949
Notes:
Burton Swanson Collection, from "Proceedings seventh annual meeting of the assocation for international agricultural and extension education"Riverfront Holiday Inn, St. Louis, Missouri, March 28-30, 1991
McNair, V. (author / Communication Branch, Manitoba Department of Agriculture, Winnipeg, Canada) and Communication Branch, Manitoba Department of Agriculture, Winnipeg, Canada
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1983
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 55 Document Number: C01250
Notes:
451-457; See ID CO1241, Harold Swanson Collection; See ID CO1241, Mimeographed. 1983. 3 p. Paper presented at the National Convention of Agricultural Communicators in Education; 1983 July 19, Madison, WI
James F. Evans Collection, Field days continue as a mainstay in the marketing programs of seed, chemical and equipment companies. And while it helps to have something new to talk about, the content isn't always product-oriented. The latest trend is the no-till day, where questions often take on a local flavor. (original)
Thompson, Robin (author), Campbell, Sarah (author), Counsell, David (author), Friend, Doug (author), Ackland, Sarah (author), and Barrington, Steve (author)
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
2006-03-06
Published:
Australia
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 150 Document Number: C24256
Notes:
11 p. Paper presented at the Australasia Pacific Extension Network in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia, March 6-8, 2006
USA: College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 203 Document Number: D12156
Notes:
Online from publisher. 2 pages., Describes a new USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant project to develop a virtual reality curriculum for agricultural equipment safety training.
Wick, Abbey F. (author), Haley, Jean (author), Gasch, Caley (author), Wehlander, Terry (author), Briese, Lee (author), and Samson‐Liebig, Susan (author)
Format:
Online journal article
Publication Date:
2019-06
Published:
Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 122 Document Number: D11140
8 pages., via online journal., Farmer adoption of practices to build soil health can be enhanced using a knowledge network supported by programs and resources that incorporate technical, social and experiential learning pathways. University Extension plays a critical role in building and supporting the knowledge network by serving as (a) a boundary organization to create space for conversations to occur, (b) network manager to facilitate learning and (c) builder of social capital to encourage trust in the network. The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Soil Health Program was used to illustrate the above approach. Between 2014 and 2016, 32 informal discussion groups, called Soil Health Café Talks, reached 156 individuals. A knowledge network of all participants was developed using NodeXL. The 10 most influential individuals in the network included two scientists, five farmers, one crop consultant and two Extension specialists. All non‐NDSU participants received an evaluation form. Respondents increased their frequency of discussing cover crops with other individuals and increased sharing equipment across farming operations (i.e., vertical tillage implements and no‐till drills). Of the topics discussed, over 25% of respondents adopted practices using cover crops (interseeding and using cover crops for weed control and adjusting rotations to incorporate cover crops) as a result of attending Café Talks. Respondents also increased their use of NDSU Soil Health online resources such as Twitter (22%), YouTube (23%) and the web page (21%) as follow‐up information to Café Talks. Network‐based approaches have proven to be successful in encouraging on‐farm adoption of soil health‐building practices.
