October 1996 // Volume 34 // Number 5
Editor's Page
Feature Articles
Kellogg Foundation Initiative Seeks to Catalyze Change at Land-Grant Institutions
Fugate, Sandra
Preparing Food System Professionals for the 21st Century is a partnership between te W.K. Kellogg Foundation and land-grant universities. The initiative seeks to create innovative approaches to university-based food system education with implications for university-wide change. This article explains the initiative and gives examples of programs started under the initiative.
Securing Your Future: Housing Education for Low-Income Audiences
Parrott, Kathleen Krishnaswamy, Arun Burkett, Sarah
"Securing Your Future" was a housing counseling program presented to the residents of a privately-owned, federally-subsidized (Section 8) garden apartment community by Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) in summer 1994. The program was part of a HOPE II (Home Ownership Opportunities for People Everywhere) planning grant, from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program planning, development, delivery, and evaluation will be discussed in this article. The mixed success of the program will be analyzed and applied to future educational programming with similar audiences.
Leading Without Authority: An Examination of the Impact of Transformational Leadership Cooperative Extension Work Groups and Teams
Brown, William Birnstihl, Elizabeth Wheeler, Daniel W.
An increased use of ad hoc teams and work-groups to accomplish key Extension objectives combined with reluctance to enlarge existing organizational structures require particular leadership skills for effectiveness. Utilizing Bass'(1985) full-range leadership formulation, and in particular his description of transformational leadership, an exploratory study was undertaken to increase understanding of the efficacy and applicability of the concepts to Extension organizations. The Multifactorial Leadership Questionnaire was administered to a group of ten leaders and 47 followers. Results provide extremely strong support for the proposition that new organizational forms will require transformational leadership skills. Limitations and need for additional study is recognized.
Marketing Fruits and Vegetables in South Central Alabama: The Diffusion Approach
Tackie, Nii o. Baharanyi, Ntam Findlay, Henry J.
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the marketing of fruits and vegetables in South Central Alabama using the diffusion approach. The objectives were: (a) to encourage farmers to attend workshops on grading and packaging of fruits and vegetables, and (b) to determine the impact of these workshops on the operations of the farmers. The diffusion innovation model in agriculture is based on the hypothesis that increasing information flow on innovations to farmers will result in positive results. Data for this study were obtained using a questionnaire. Results indicated that farmers were using the information they obtained at the workshops in their operations, indicating that diffusion has taken place.
Research in Brief
An analysis of Supermarket Pricing
Keil, Beverly J. Ferris, E. Linda
Does it matter which supermarket you shop for groceries? Does it make a difference which week of the month you shop? Do supermarkets raise their prices and feature more junk food the first of the month when Food Stamps are distributed and have more specials on basic foods at the end of the month when many low income people are out of money? These were the beliefs of Extension clientele in Eastern Ohio. This study was conducted to see if these assumptions were correct and to identify shopping strategies to maximize grocery budgets.
Ideas at Work
4-H Peer Theater: Taking Center Stage in Overcoming Obstacles
Shriner, Joyce Rinehart, Susan Hodson Tribe, Deanna Starkey, Barbara
Peer Theater is a link between self-esteem and cultural awareness among high-risk youth. This article explains the program and how it was a postive experience for both youth and adults in the community.
Campus Encounters of the Clothing Kind
Tondl, Rose Marie
Campus Encounters of the Clothing Kind brings 4-H youth to the University of Nebraska East Campus for three days to explore the areas of textiles, clothing and design. Youth gain computer experience in creating a T-shirt design, use a serger sewing machine to expand their sewing skills, explore fibers through textile experiments, increase their insight into historical clothing, and learn about careers. Impact of this program was measured through a survey of 34 past participants. Youth indicated the experience was very positive, very worthwhile, a good investment, and were enlightened about clothing, textiles and design.
Scientific Field Expeditions as Non-Formal Environmental Extension Education
Einsiedel, Albert A., Jr.
Participatory Environmental Action Research (PEAR) is one way to learn about natural resources and the environment. Expeditions that encourage participation of volunteers are approximations of PEAR. They offer opportunities for volunteers and scientists to combine efforts and share ideas about ways of understanding and creating a better world. They are a valuable means of obtaining non-formal, hands-on education about natural resources and conservation issues.
Tools of the Trade
A Weekend Together: Single Parent Family Camp
Recker, Nancy K. Mader, Sharon L.
Nearly one-half of all babies born today will spend time in a one-parent family because of single parenthood or divorce. To reach this audience, a weekend camp has been conducted since 1989 involving over 75 families every year. 4-H youth development and family and consumer science Extension professionals provide educational opportunities for parents, children, and families. Evaluations indicate an increase in self-esteem, better communication skills, and more quality time spent together. The low-cost camping experience has helped families feel they are a more integral part of society.
Developing Skills and Expertise to Program in Latino Communities Using Satellite Technology
Escott, Rebecca Mincemoyer, Claudia Nauman, Debra Rodgers, Michelle Sigman-Grant, Madeleine
Extension faculty and staff in Pennsylvania participated in a satellite training to increase their skills and confidence in programming in Latino communities. The conference was a combination of regional site activities and satellite programming. At local sites, participants experienced the culture through food, music, discussions with local Latino community members, and hands-on exploration of resources. During the satellite portion of the program, demographic issues, programming concerns, and information about the Latino culture were discussed. In addition, county Extension staff shared successful programs being conducted in Latino communities.
