24 pages, Agricultural communications scholars do not use a national research agenda to guide their research, which could be limiting the impact and rigor of the discipline. In this commentary, we argue that agricultural communications scholars should adopt the science communication research agenda published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in 2017 because the goals of science communication, outlined in the agenda, are relevant to agriculture. Members of the committee who developed the agenda study science communication in contexts of food, agriculture, life sciences, the environment, political science, health, nutrition, and psychology, among others. They developed the agenda with the intent for it to inform and guide research in all science communication sub-disciplines or areas involving contentious public issues. We provide examples of studies that have used the agenda to inform research in agricultural and natural resources communications. We also explain how research priorities outlined in the science communication research agenda align with agricultural communications scholarship. Recognizing there are challenges unique to agriculture, we recommend agricultural communications scholars use the science communication research agenda as a research guide and adapt the relevant research recommendations for agricultural communications.
27 pages., Research in agricultural communications is not guided by a national research agenda. Therefore, the substantial body of research produced from scholars working in the discipline represents scattered efforts. We conducted a content analysis of journal articles published in the Journal of Applied Communications between 2000 and 2019 to identify the research themes that establish the discipline’s scholarly base. Through an examination of n = 259 journal articles, we identified N = 27 research themes, the most prevalent of which included agriculture and media relations/practices (f = 30; % = 11.58), public perceptions/understanding of agriculture and natural resources (f = 25; % = 9.65), and agricultural communications academic programs and curricula (f = 21; % = 8.11). Then, we used Q methodology to identify viewpoints of agricultural communications scholars (e.g., faculty, graduate students; n = 45) as they relate to perceptions about the importance of research. We identified four dominant viewpoints of scholars in agricultural communications: Message Framing Influencers, Extension-Focused Scholars and Practitioners, Discipline-Conscious Researchers, and Tech-Savvy Scholars. Together, these viewpoints explained 59.43% of the study variance. Although participants who represented each of these groups had unique perspectives, participants generally agreed that public perceptions/understanding of agriculture and natural resources and crisis communications in agricultural communications were important research themes. Likewise, they generally agreed that the role of agricultural communications professional organizations, agricultural communications efforts during historical events, and agritourism were not important research themes.
International: Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, University of Illinois
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 202 Document Number: D11955
Notes:
Research poster presented at the U.S. Agricultural Information Network (USAIN) virtual conference 2020. Via online by open access. 3 pages., Presentation of findings from a term-frequency analysis of climate change communications document records added to the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center collection, University of Illinois, during the 2019-2020 academic year. Researcher used a word art tool to create word clouds representing frequency of subject terms, publication title words, and subject countries used in citations.
Worthington, Thomas A. (author), Andradi-Brown, Dominic A. (author), Bhargava, Radhika (author), Buelow, Christina (author), Bunting, Pete (author), Duncan, Clare (author), Fatoyinbo, Lola (author), Friess, Daniel A. (author), Goldberg, Liza (author), Hilarides, Lambert (author), Lagomasino, David (author), Landis, Emily (author), Longley-Wood, Kate (author), Lovelock, Catherine E. (author), Murray, Nicholas J. (author), Narayan, Siddharth (author), Rosenqvist, Ake (author), Sievers, Michael (author), Simard, Marc (author), Thomas, Nathan (author), van Eijk, Pieter (author), Zganjar, Chris (author), and Spalding, Mark (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2020
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 201 Document Number: D11696
27 pages., Authors provide an overview of recent and forthcoming global datasets and explore the challenges of translating these new analyses into policy action and on-the-ground conservation of mangrove forests. They describe a new platform for visualizing and disseminating these datasets to the global science community and other audiences - and they highlight future directions and collaborations.
2 pages., Online via publisher. 2 pages., Report from a former ACE officer who played a key role in "setting high standards for the ACE journal, then known as AAACE Quarterly, to a refereed, high-quality publication, now the Journal of Applied Communication."
2 pages., Via online., Editorial critical of the Los Angeles Times newspaper for championing the rise of plant-based burger alternatives without context, accuracy and logic.
Commentary on "self-financed, self-serving 'science'" used by agricultural interests involving a variety of food, agriculture, and environmental issues.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 30 Document Number: D10563
Notes:
2 pages., From Bayer AG - online via AgriMarketing Weekly., Leverkusen, Germany - Bayer is raising the bar in transparency, sustainability and engagement, reflecting its heightened responsibility and potential as a new leader in agriculture. "We're making good progress on integrating the acquired agriculture business, and are now starting to implement a series of measures to drive transparency and sustainability across our business," Werner Baumann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer AG, said on Friday.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 201 Document Number: D11904
Notes:
Correspondence from author to ACDC. 2 pages., Case example of an agricultural economist who came to the editor in a renewable energy research center with the text he was going to publish as a book. He rejected the editorial suggestions offered and had 2,000 copies of the text printed. Only 48 "ever saw the light of day. The remaining 1,952 copies were destroyed" for lack of demand.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 133 Document Number: D11400
Notes:
4 pages., Online via website., Results of a national survey among U.S. adults indicated: "A majority of Americans are skeptical of the impact that industry funding has on scientific research and on the recommendations made by practitioners ... The public is somewhat more positive - though still ambivalent - about the effects of government funding on research and practitioner recommendations."
Brubaker, McKayla (author), Settle, Quisto (author), Downey, Laura (author), Hardman, Alisha (author), and Oklahoma State University
Mississippi State University
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2019
Published:
United States: New Prairie Press
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 7 Document Number: D10246
19 pages., Via online journal., Mississippi residents were surveyed to determine their perceptions surrounding the The Food Factor brand. The Food Factor is a weekly Extension mass media program that communicates research-based information about food, nutrition, diet, and healthy lifestyles. A researcher-developed survey instrument was used to collect information using Qualtrics. The sample consisted of a representative sample of 404 Mississippi residents over the age of 18. Nonprobability quota sampling was used to examine population segments related to sex, Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic populations, and other racial demographic segments. The respondents were asked about their use and awareness of The Food Factor, where they were split into viewer and non-viewer categories. Viewers were asked about their viewing frequency, perceptions and skills learned related to watching The Food Factor, and their nutrition-related behaviors. Non-viewers were also asked about their perceptions of The Food Factor between branded and non-branded The Food Factor episodes. This study found the The Food Factor brand lacked brand recognition and recall. However, the respondents had a slightly positive perception of the brand. Overall, this study could not conclude that branding of the episodes was making a difference in non-viewers’ perceptions, despite the fact that many previous studies have identified branding as an important strategy in social marketing. Recommendations include a consistent and increased use of the brand, such as subtitles or logos, and future research on the use of branding in social marketing program, social marketing in Extension, and the role of branding in mass media programs.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 151 Document Number: D10054
Notes:
1 page., Via AAEA Byline newsletter. From the website, "Freelancer by Contenting.", Announces a calculator which provides an estimate for freelance rates on written assignments across multiple publications, verticals, and formats. Article provides live link to the calculator.
Villegas, Victor (author / Oregon State University)
Format:
Presentation
Publication Date:
2018-08
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 199 Document Number: D09912
Notes:
Presentation at the Association of Communication Excellence (ACE) conference during the Agricultural Media Summit, Scottsdale, Arizona, August 4-8, 2018. 11 pages. PowerPoint
Allen, David (author / College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia), Melancon, Merritt (author / College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia), and Barkdoll, Anthony (author / College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia)
Format:
Presentation
Publication Date:
2018-08
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 199 Document Number: D09910
Notes:
Presentation at the Association of Communication Excellence (ACE) conference during the Agricultural Media Summit, Scottsdale, Arizona, August 4-8, 2018. 24 pages. PowerPoint.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 199 Document Number: D09907
Notes:
Presentation at the Association of Communication Excellence (ACE) conference during the Agricultural Media Summit, Scottsdale, Arizona, August 4-8, 2018. 47 pages. PowerPoint slides.
Wirth, Mary (author / Pennsylvania State University), North, Elizabeth (author / Mississippi State University), and Borger, Ruth (author / University of Florida)
Format:
Presentation
Publication Date:
2018-08
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 199 Document Number: D09913
Notes:
Presentation at the Association of Communication Excellence (ACE) conference during the Agricultural Media Summit, Scottsdale, Arizona, August 4-8, 2018. 31 pages. PowerPoint.
Fischer, Laura (author), Meyers, Courtney (author), Cummins, R. Glenn (author), Gibson, Courtney (author), and Baker, Matt (author)
Format:
Paper abstract
Publication Date:
2018-02
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 199 Document Number: D10010
Notes:
Abstract of paper presented at the National Agricultural Communications Symposium, Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (SAAS) Agricultural Communications Section, Jacksonville, Florida, February 4-5, 2018.
Researchers addressed an issue in teaching scientific communication. Surveys and interviews indicated that a disconnect existed between what instructors expected of their students in writing laboratory reports and what the stated learning outcomes were for their horticultural science courses. Researchers developed and tested a grading or analytic scoring rubric, observing positive results.
Report of the Online Farm Trials Project developed to "bring national grains research data and information directly to the grower, agronomist, researcher, the grains industry, and the community through through innovative online technology."
Online via keyword search of UI Library eCatalog and Elsevier.com. Open access., Author offers "practical advice for developing, delivering and evaluating effective science communication initiatives, based on over a decade of experience as being a professional science communicator."
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 161 Document Number: D07917
Notes:
5 pages., Author of "Bare Knuckles" blog shares with members of the AgriculturalRelations Council hs blog about "how the beef industry responded to soddy science and shoddy reporting about cancer risk in red and processed meats.."
Mungai, Ndungi wa (author) and Seis, Colin (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
2017
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D08789
Notes:
Pages 223-237 in Gordon, Iain J. Prins, Herbert H.T. Squire, Geoff R. (eds.), Food production and nature conservation: conflicts and solutions. United Kingdom: Routledge, London. 348 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D08826
Notes:
Pages 1025-1044 in Rob Roggema (ed.), Agriculture in an urbanizing society volume two: proceedings of the sixth AESOP conference on sustainable food planning. United Kingdom: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Pages 601-1274.
Olojede, J.C. (author), Ifenkwe, G.E. (author), Oparaojiaku, J.O. (author), and Department of Rural Sociology and Extension, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria
Department of Rural Sociology and Extension, Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo, Ohaji, Nigeria
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2017
Published:
Nigeria: Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 163 Document Number: D08149
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D08912
Notes:
Pages 60-79 in Koteyko, Nelya Nerlich, Brigitte Hellsten, Iina (eds.), Climate change communication and the internet. United Kingdom: Routledge, Abingdon, Oxon, England. 217 pages.
Million, Angela (author), Bürgow, Grit (author), Steglich, Anja (author), and Raber, Wolf (author)
Format:
Proceedings
Publication Date:
2017
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D08823
Notes:
Pages 801-831 in Rob Roggema (ed.), Agriculture in an urbanizing society volume two: proceedings of the sixth AESOP conference on sustainable food planning. United Kingdom: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Pages 601-1274.
Rossing, Walter A. H. (author), Sabatier, Rodolphe (author), Teillard, Félix (author), Groot, Jeroen C. J. (author), and Tittonell, Pablo (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
2017
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D08790
Notes:
Pages 261-280 in Gordon, Iain J. Prins, Herbert H.T. Squire, Geoff R. (eds.), Food production and nature conservation: conflicts and solutions. United Kingdom: Routledge, London. 348 pages.
Authors review research involving public concerns in the United Kingdom, USA and Canada regarding the existence of a secret, large-scale atmospheric spraying program (SLAP). Research involved an analysis of scientist consensus regarding the issue.
Hauser, Michael (author), Lindtner, Mara (author), Prehsler, Sarah (author), Probst, Lorenz (author), and University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria
Format:
Online journal article
Publication Date:
2016-07-30
Published:
Austria: Science Direct
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 109 Document Number: D10962
9 pages, via online journal, Farmers who engage in farmer participatory research (FPR) change their established social roles in households and communities. As such, comprehension of farmers’ role transitions is important to understand the extrinsic and intrinsic factors impeding or supporting the uptake and use of FPR by farmers. The existing FPR literature, however, does not address such role transitions. In this study, we analyzed farmers’ experiences with FPR and underlying role transitions in a commercial organic agriculture project in western Uganda. We drew on quantitative and qualitative data from interviews, group discussions, and observations involving farmers and extension workers. Our results suggest extrinsic and intrinsic factors affect farmers’ self-conception, influencing their willingness to participate in FPR. The level of alignment between the self-conception and the anticipated role determines farmers’ decision regarding participation in FPR and affects their response pattern. Farmers’ response pattern and individual set of inhibitors and facilitators lead to the experience of role insufficiency or role mastery, which is crucial for farmers’ continuation or termination of on-farm experiments. Understanding and facilitating role transitions is, therefore, essential for sustaining on-farm experiments, which complements current technical FPR training.
Mitloehner, Frank (author / University of California-Davis)
Format:
Commentary
Publication Date:
2016-04
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 114 Document Number: D11025
Notes:
Via online., "A white paper, defining the role animal agriculture and other sectors of societ play in their respective contribution of greenhouse gasses, as the societal concerns grow to seek a sustainable global future." ... "Now is the time to end the rhetoric and separate facts from fiction around the numerous sectors that contribute emissions and to identify solutions for the global food supply that allow us to reduce our impact on the planet and its resources."
Grichting, Anna (author), Awwaad, Reem (author), Ball, Luzita (author), and Tantillo, Paige (author)
Format:
Proceedings
Publication Date:
2016
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D08816
Notes:
Pages 85-109 in Rob Roggema (ed.), Agriculture in an urbanizing society volume one: proceedings of the sixth AESOP conference on sustainable food planning. United Kingdom: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. 549 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 134 Document Number: D11401
Notes:
30 pages., Online via website., "Despite the growing use of genetically modified crops over the past 20 years, most Americans say they know only a little about GM foods. And many people appear to hold 'soft' views about the health effects of GM foods, saying they are not sure about whether such foods are better or worse for one's health. ... a majority of Americans perceive disagreement in the scientific community over whether or not GM foods are safe to eat. And, only a minority of Americans perceive scientists as having a strong understanding of the health risks and benefits of GM foods."
1 page., Online via UI e-subscription, Despite some offensive uses of social media by "trolls," author encouraged researchers to "pay great attention to the management of social media, although it is a time-consuming task."
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 151 Document Number: D06776
Notes:
Online via Pew Research Center. 8 pages., "Scientists and the American public are often far apart when it comes to views about science-related issues."
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 161 Document Number: D07874
Notes:
Pages 99-102 in M.J. Navarro (ed.), Voices and views: why biotech? ISAAA Brief No. 50. International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, Ithaca, New York. 158 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Folder: 161 Document Number: D07871
Notes:
Pages 114-117 in M.J. Navarro (ed.), Voices and views: why biotech? ISAAA Brief No. 50. International Service for the Acquisition ofAgri-biotech Applications, Ithaca, New York. 158 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Folder: 161 Document Number: D07870
Notes:
Pages 110-113 in M.J. Navarro (ed.), Voices and views: why biotech? ISAAA Brief No. 50. International Service for the Acquisition ofAgri-biotech Applications, Ithaca, New York. 158 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 133 Document Number: D11391
Notes:
5 pages., Online research report., A survey of 3,748 American-based scientists connected with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) found that 87% agreed with the statement, "Scientists should take an active role in public policy debates about issues related to science and technology." At the same time, "most scientists believe that science news coverage can pose problems for science."
