N. R”ling (author / Department of Communication and Innovation Studies, Wageningen Agricultural University) and Department of Communication and Innovation Studies, Wageningen Agricultural University
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1996
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 103 Document Number: C08888
In all, a constructivist epistemology leads to a completely different approach that includes the conventional one, but ultimately leads to very different choices. I call this approach "interactive agricultural science". Box 2 sums up its main features. Interactive agricultural science is internally consistent. Just as the conventional paradigm, it embraces a whole range of mutually related elements at various levels of abstraction, from epistemology to the practical points of departure for rewarding desired scientific work and for training students. The challenge to agricultural science is together to further construct and operationalise this paradigm. That, as I hope to have made clear, is a condition for achieving our new mission: to contribute to a change in direction which saves us from becoming Norsemen in Greenland.
16 pages, via online journal, Buying local food has become an increasingly popular way for consumers to engage with those who grow their food; however, research has shown a specific audience tends to buy local food due to individual-specific barriers. To better understand what motivates consumers to buy local food the Theory of Planned Behavior was used as a way to potentially predict consumers’ behavior toward buying locally grown blueberries. Also, the variables of past experience and self-identity/moral obligation toward buying local food were introduced to the model since both variables may increase the predictability of the Theory of Planned Behavior model in certain food-related behaviors. This study used an online survey completed by 1,122 respondents, from a sample frame of all consumers in Florida. The study used a non-probability sample of an opt-in panel, and weighting procedures were applied to the data to account for coverage errors associated with using a non-probability sample. The interaction of consumers’ past experience and self-identity/moral obligation was found to help explain consumers’ intention to buy locally grown blueberries when added to the Theory of Planned Behavior. The Theory of Planned Behavior was shown to predict consumers’ intention to buy locally grown blueberries; however, their intent was better explained with the inclusion of the variables of past experience and self-identity/moral obligation toward buying local blueberries. Recommendations for future research and application include future research into other variables that may impact buying behavior and inclusion of these variables in future communication efforts focused on consumers buying and engaging with local food.
Griffith, William S. (author / Professor of Adult Education, Department of Administrative, Adult and Higher Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C07357
Notes:
See C07353 for original, In: Donald J. Blackburn (ed.) Extension Handbook: Processes and Practices, 2nd edition, 1994. Toronto, Canada: Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc. p. 27-35
20 pages, via online journal, Purpose: To examine the factors that support and hinder farmers’ learning and to investigate the impact of an innovative learning program on farmers’ practice change.
Design/methodology/approach: Individual interviews and focus group discussions were held with 24 farmers over 20 months. Observations were made of these farmers as they participated with eight agricultural and social scientists in a range of innovative experiences to learn about chicory and plantain establishment and management. These learning experiences were designed around evidence-informed educational pedagogies. Data sets were analyzed using NVivo to determine common themes of affordances and barriers to learning and actual practice changes.
Findings: The affordances for learning and practice change include belonging to a learning community, enhancing self-efficacy, engaging with scientists, seeing relative advantage, reinforcing and validating learning, supporting system’s integration and developing an identity as learners. Barriers to learning and practice change include issues of: trialability, complexity, compatibility and risk.
Practical implications: The importance of basing new models of extension around evidence-informed pedagogies known through educational research to promote learning and practice change.
Theoretical implications: Sociocultural theory and self-efficacy theories of learning are critical to the success of effective agricultural extension programs.
Originality: To date, little empirical research about the affordances and barriers for pastoral farmers’ learning has been based on contemporary educational research.
Marcucci, John L. (author / Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX) and Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
Format:
Report
Publication Date:
1990-02
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 90 Document Number: C06440
Notes:
James F. Evans Collection; Contains Table of Contents and Introduction only, Morrilton, AR : Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development, 1990. 39 p. (Multipurpose Tree Species network Research Series, Paper Number 6)
7 pages, Online via UI Library electronic subscription, Research analyzed the socio-ecological model in testing interventions for protecting children from agricultural disease and injury. Findings provided an example of how the model could work to safeguard youth operating tractors.
Author argued that the emergence of transnational crises and threats such as the avian flu epidemic and climate change call for new ways of analysing news. "...the concept of global journalism is under theoretical development and still in need of a more stringent definition."
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 26 Document Number: B02658
Notes:
See B02289 for original; Phase 1, In: Communication for change with the rural disadvantaged : a workshop. Washington, D.C. : National Academy of Sciences, 1972. p. 84-92
