February 2006 // Volume 44 // Number 1
Editor's Page
JOE by the Numbers 2005
JOE by the Numbers reports on the 2005 acceptance
rate, submission rate, and readership rate and calls attention to one of
the most interesting features of the JOE site, the Top 50 Most Read
Articles lists. February JOE mentions just six of 29 excellent articles.
Commentary
The Neglected Life Skill
Harder, Amy
Well developed writing skills are in high demand
in the professional workplace, yet American students continue to struggle
with this important life skill. While 4-H has an exceptional history of teaching
oral communication skills, writing has become the neglected life skill. If
4-H is to help its members succeed in all areas of communication, writing
must move beyond the realm of the record book and be given a more central
role in program planning.
Participate in the JOE Discussion Forum on "The Neglected Life Skill"
Feature Articles
Extension's Role in Homeland Security: A Virginia Perspective
Miller, John H.; Grisso, Robert; Lambur, Michael
Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) conducted
a project designed to determine what role it might play in assisting local
governments in dealing with emergency preparedness issues in the aftermath
of a manmade disaster resulting from terrorist activity. The project was
funded through USDA. Community forums were used to collect viewpoints and
perspectives on the unique role VCE could play in providing Homeland Security
educational assistance to local governments and key professionals involved
in the protection of residents from a terrorist attack. Using this information,
VCE has taken steps to position itself to play a key role in addressing this
important issue.
Continuity and Change: Themes of Mental Model Development Among Small-Scale
Farmers
Eckert, Eileen; Bell, Alexandra
Farmers' mental models of farming influence their
learning, decisions, and actions. Sometimes realizing opportunities for success
requires farmers to challenge assumptions embedded in their mental models.
The qualitative study described here explored how a group of small-scale
farmers developed mental models of farming and the conditions under which
their models changed. Two themes emerged indicating that farmers developed
and reinforced existing mental models through discovery learning and problem
solving and that an "activating event" may trigger transformation
of an existing mental model. Understanding how farmers develop mental models
can help educators design learning programs and services that enable farmers
to succeed.
Community Collaboration: Effective Partnerships with Steering Committees
Banach, Mary; Zunz, Sharyn; LaPointe, Nicole
This article reports the findings of a study examining
the development, use, and effectiveness of community-based steering committees
at three different rural sites. Each site developed projects administered
by local Extension Educators aimed at benefiting at-risk youth and families.
The effectiveness of the steering committees was evaluated by whether conditions
were cultivated that would lead to program sustainability. Factors examined
at each site included: availability and deployment of resources; steering
committee composition; and leadership\ownership of the project. The article
details the results of the study and suggests some implications for the development
of community partnerships.
Large-Scale Dairies and Their Neighbors: A Case Study of the Perceived Risk
in Two Counties
Whittington, M. Susie; Warner, Kellie J.
Most urban residents, many nonfarm
rural residents, and even family farmers view large-scale animal agriculture
as an undesirable neighbor. A study examined the perceived attributes of
the manager of the risk in two communities upon the siting of a large-scale
dairy. Conclusions were: 1) community members are unable to identify the
manager of the risk, 2) citizens feel hopeless to act, 3) personal experience
in agriculture leads to understanding the issues, 4) large-scale animal agriculture
is a cultural shift, 5) two-way communication with communities is essential,
and 6) safety precautions by the farmer leads to greater community acceptance
of the dairy.
Effectively Disseminating Information to Limited-Scale Landowners in the Urban/Rural
Interface
Cartmell, D. Dwayne, II; Orr, Chandra L.; Kelemen, Danna B.
The study described here addressed the preferred
methods of receiving information by limited-scale landowners and the role
demographic variables play in the preferred delivery method of information.
Findings indicated Extension's audience prefers the use of direct mail as
a primary method of information dissemination. Less than half used Extension.
In cross-referencing age and education level with preferred sources of information,
the study indicated audience members, regardless of age and education level,
preferred direct mail as their source for information.
Revisiting State 4-H Mentoring Programs for County 4-H Professionals
Safrit, R. Dale
This article describes major aspects of mentoring
programs being conducted currently by state Extension systems to support
county 4-H Youth Development professionals. NAE4-HA Mentoring Task Force
members developed a quantitative research methodology using a Web-based survey
and census of State 4-H Leaders as of September 1, 2003, to collect data.
Thirty-four respondents reported having some type of county 4-H mentoring
program, including 12 reporting a formal program and 22 an informal program.
However, a consistent, Web-based national 4-H professional development mentoring
curriculum would better benefit county 4-H professionals and state 4-H programs
in the U.S. and globally.
Former 4-H Key Club Members' Perceptions of the Impact of "Giving" Life
Skills Preparation on Their Civic Engagement
Pennington, Penny; Edwards, M. Craig
Does 4-H make an impact on the civic
engagement of adults? If so, do former 4-H members view the impact as being
greater than that of other programming? This article describes perceptions
of former 4-H Key Club members regarding the application of "giving" life
skills preparation on their civic engagement. The impact of youth organizations
on acquisition of "giving" life skills is also described. Participants "agreed" they
were applying "giving" life skills acquired through 4-H, and that
those experiences had a "major" impact on their civic engagement.
It is recommended that "giving" life skills programming be continued.
Development and Formative Evaluation of a Bilingual Interactive Multimedia
Dietary Assessment Tool
Zoellner, Jamie; Anderson, Jennifer; Gould, Susan Martin
A bilingual interactive multimedia dietary recall
was developed for use in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program.
This recall was evaluated by nutrition professionals to determine effectiveness
of the introduction, food groupings, graphics, audio, and program flow. Users
first report food choices from 167 graphically represented foods. Then, food
variety, cooking techniques, and portion sizes are displayed. Last, users
can add and delete foods. A nutrient profile comprised of 20 dietary constituents
is generated. This recall provides potential for stimulating food recall
with audio and visual cues, promoting more honest reports of food intake
and saving staff time.
Research in Brief
Survey of University of California Academics' Attitudes Regarding the Impact
of Escaped Horticultural Introductions on Wildlands
Wilen, Cheryl A.; Bell, Carl E.; Grieshop, James I.; Robb, Karen L.
In order to investigate whether there were differences
in attitudes and perceptions within the University of California regarding
the impact of introduced ornamental plants, we conducted a survey of academics
with assignments in natural resource programs or ornamental horticulture.
In general, the ornamental horticulture academics did not view the problem
of invasive species as severely as the natural resource academics, but the
both groups recognize that non-native landscape ornamentals now occur and
can affect California's wildlands. These data can be used to provide training
to academics on this issue and help facilitate discussion between the different
groups.
Consumer Trust in Extension as a Source of Biotech Food Information
Ekanem, Enefiok; Mafuyai-Ekanem, M.; Tegegne, Fisseha; Muhammad, Safdar; Singh, Surendra
A mail questionnaire survey was used to collect
data on the sources that consumers used for gathering information about biotech
food products and nutrition issues. Using responses from 250 randomly selected
consumers from three states, this article (1) examines the media and sources
from where consumers obtained food products and nutrition information and
(2) estimates the level of trust that consumers put on Extension professionals
as a source of information. Newspapers, television, magazines, and word-of-mouth
were frequently used to gather food products and nutrition information. Extension
professionals were ranked as the third most trusted source of information
by consumers.
Texas Agricultural Commodity Board Members' Perceptions of the 2002 U.S. Farm
Bill
Catchings, Christa L.; Wingenbach, Gary J.
Extension educators have important roles in educating
the public on national agricultural policies. The purpose of the study reported
here was to determine Texas agricultural commodity (corn, cotton, grain sorghum,
and wheat) board members' perceptions of the 2002 Farm Bill. Male respondents,
46 to 55 years old, considered the Cooperative Extension Service/universities
and the Internet as good information sources for learning about the farm
bill. Cotton board members believed their organizations influenced the bill's
final outcome. Extension educators should maximize their resources by using
information sources suited to stakeholders' needs for learning about future
farm bills.
Direct Marketing Edamame (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) to Professional
Chefs
Montri, Dru N.; Kelley, Kathleen M.; Sánchez, Elsa S.
A consumer-research study was conducted in Metro-Philadelphia
to determine professional chef demand for edamame (Glycine max [L.] Merrill).
Cultivar preferences and partiality for shelled or inshell edamame were also
investigated. The majority of chefs indicated that they were "very likely" to
use edamame again, and many were interested in acquiring Pennsylvania-grown
edamame from small-acreage growers. Most chefs "liked" all three
cultivars, and the majority preferred shelled edamame. Using this methodology,
Extension personnel can continue to investigate professional chef demand
and preferences for specialty crops and provide grower clientele with information
on how to best meet consumer needs.
Financial Fitness Quiz Findings: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Disconnects
O'Neill, Barbara; Xiao, Jing Jian
This article reports findings from an online financial
self-assessment tool, the Financial Fitness Quiz. The quiz consists of 20
statements about practices in financial management, saving and investing,
insurance and estate planning, credit, and shopping. Data from the quiz are
used to study the frequency of performance of 20 frequently recommended financial
practices. Data were collected in 2003 from 2,155 respondents. Differences
were found in total quiz scores by age, gender, education, income, and race.
Comparisons of 2003 survey results with studies in 2001 and 2002 are presented,
and implications for Extension educators are discussed.
Leadership Styles and Volunteer Administration Competence: Perceptions of
4-H County Faculty in the United States
Stedman, Nicole L. P.; Rudd, Rick
The study described here sought to determine the
perceived leadership style of 4-H county faculty. There were 238 county 4-H
faculty randomly selected to participate. Participants completed three Web-based
questionnaires, the Volunteer Administration Leadership Competency Instrument,
the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, and a demographic instrument. Regression
models predicted transformational, transactional, and laissez faire leadership.
The importance of systems leadership (ß=.97) and organizational leadership
(ß=-.94) contributed the most to transformational leadership. Proficiency
in organizational leadership (ß=-6.24) contributed to transactional
leadership. The importance of organizational culture (ß=1.10) and commitment
to the profession importance (ß=-.85) contributed to the prediction
of laissez faire leadership.
Exploration of Parent, 4-H Volunteer Advisor, and Sports Coach Support and
Pressure on Youth Involved in 4-H and/or School Sports
Homan, Greg
A correlation and descriptive research study was
conducted surveying over 400 youth in three western Ohio schools exploring
youth perceptions of adult pressure and support of 4-H and/or school sports
involvement. Findings provide an opportunity to evaluate the nature of adult
influence on youth involvement in these respective activities. Results are
useful as a tool to educate local volunteers and parents who are active in
youth extracurricular activities.
Use and Evaluation of a Statewide 4-H Volunteer Newsletter
Zimmer, Bruce P.; Shriner, Joyce A.; Scheer, Scott D.
The Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Connections newsletter is
a statewide publication targeted for volunteers working with K - 2 youth.
Two statewide surveys in Ohio were conducted with 4-H volunteers and 4-H
Extension staff to measure the usefulness and utilization of the newsletter.
Results indicated 4-H Cloverbud volunteers and 4-H staff utilize the newsletter
and consider it a valuable resource. Ninety-seven percent of the 4-H Cloverbud
volunteers and 4-H staff want the newsletter continued. Findings indicate
the importance of 4-H Cloverbud activities for readers, need for more awareness
of the newsletter Web site, and importance of 4-H Cloverbud volunteer training.
Ideas at Work
Incorporating Service Learning and Extension in Inner City Middle Schools:
A Model for Future Programming
Webster, Nicole
The article describes a program model used to promote
science-based learning through a service learning model in an inner city
school. Through working collaboratively with Extension staff, a program was
created to meet the growing academic and social needs of youth in the inner
city school system. If greater emphasis is placed on programming efforts
among Extension, the community, and public schools, successful programs can
be created to enhance the learning of the inner city youth population.
Food Pantries: Food and Nutrition Education in a Non-Traditional Setting
Miyamoto, Angela; Chun, Lindi; Kanehiro, Naomi; Nakatsuka, Claire
This article describes an informal approach to
delivering nutrition education to a limited resource audience in a food pantry.
Improving dietary quality by increasing vegetables and fruits, and safe food
handling were the main focus of the education. Extension educators created
simple and quick main dishes using foods only from the food pantry. Nutrition
education materials focusing on food safety were distributed. Ability/flexibility
to create a fast and easy main dish dependant upon foods available, developing
trust and rapport with staff and clients, cultural appropriateness, and language
barrier issues should be considered when delivering an Extension education
program in food pantries.
Building an Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Management Database for Your
Municipality
Obropta, Christopher C.; Buckley, Katie A.
In an attempt to protect groundwater and surface
water quality in the face of rapid residential development, a New Jersey
municipality established an "Onsite Wastewater Disposal Management District." After
15 years of having the program in place, the municipality asked Rutgers Cooperative
Research & Extension to update the management program database. The newly
developed database is automated to generate form letters, invoices, late
notices, and license renewals, and it is linked to the municipality's geographic
information system. The database has increased productivity, improved tracking
abilities, and has resulted in faster identification of systems needing inspection
for the municipality.
A Teachable Moment: The Las Vegas Centennial
Kock, Jo Anne; Agao, Vicki
What an exciting time to learn Las Vegas history!
In celebration of the 2005 Las Vegas Centennial, a children's book, Growing
Up in Las Vegas, and an accompanying activity book for use in childcare provider
training was developed. Amply illustrated, this fictional story based on
historical facts and photos from 1905, stars five-year-old Ellie and her
brother Billy. The curriculum contains 14 different activities that follow
the illustrations in the book. Reaching over 1,500 adults and 2,000 children,
adult participant evaluations showed a significant knowledge gain. The curriculum
can be easily replicated and adapted to fit other geographic areas.
Tools of the Trade
We Identified Issues Through Stakeholder Input--Now What?
Cummings, Scott R.; Boleman, Chris T.
Listening to needs of clientele to maintain relevance
is an essential component of planning. Extension has maintained relevance
by listening to clientele. However, how can we systematically review all
these issues and develop meaningful strategies to respond with impact? The
answer to this question is our ability to maintain our grassroots advantage,
but be accountable for regional and statewide impacts. This article provides
a strategy to review issues that surface from clientele and develop programmatic
action plans to address issues that surface from multiple sources for county,
regional, and statewide implementation.
A Needs Assessment Method for Extension Educators
Caravella, Jennifer
This article offers a methodology Extension educators
can use for conducting a needs assessment. It uses existing data and key
informant interview responses. Results of the interviews were shared with
individuals and agencies that work with children and families. An evaluation
showed that 61% intended to use the information to plan for future programs,
services, or activities that their organization may provide. Educators from
other program areas could easily adapt this methodology to conduct a local
situational analysis.
Techniques for Establishing Educational Programs Through the African American
Faith Community
Woodson, Joyce M.; Braxton-Calhoun, Millicent
In 1996, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
began to explore reaching the African American population through the faith
community. The goal was to address the disproportionately high incidence
of chronic disease in that population. Many meetings and discussions followed
with clergy and their staff, which resulted in shared desire and concern
for the health of their congregation. Through these experiences specific
techniques are offered for effectively establishing educational programs
for the African American community. This effort led to the development and
implementation of other health and nutrition programs targeted to address
life-threatening issues associated with the African American community.
Journey to Successful Collaborations
Strieter, Linda; Blalock, Lydia B.
Due to ongoing budgetary restraints, reduced staffing,
and other challenges to continued program growth, Extension personnel must
understand how to bring together the resources needed for successful programming
and sustainability. The most effective way to accomplish this is through
collaboration. Unfortunately, ". . . little is written describing how
to approach the developmental process [italics added] of collaboration" (Gardner,
2005). This article provides readers with an easy to understand, step-by-step
guide for navigating the road to successful collaborations.
Volunteer Recruitment Packets: Tools for Expanding Volunteer Involvement
Culp, Ken, III; Aldenderfer, Amy E.; Allen, Lynette A.; Fannin-Holliday, Sarah G.; Ford, Raven C.; Goodwin, Carole A.
Extension agents must become proficient volunteer
recruiters. The 2003 Kentucky Volunteer Administration Academy developed
a volunteer recruitment packet as a tool to be used by Extension professionals,
staff, and volunteers. The recruitment packet includes major components that
introduce Extension to potential volunteers. Thirteen customized volunteer
recruitment packets were developed based upon programmatic need and request
frequency. Additional packets can be developed based upon the needs of the
program and volunteers. Recruitment packets have been distributed and used
in a variety of ways that extend recruitment and marketing efforts to volunteers
who are engaged and supervised by the agent.
Training Educators and Community Collaborators Using a Satellite Videoconference
Format
Pankow, Debra L.; Porter, Nancy M.; Schuchardt, Jane
Financial security is the ability to meet future needs while keeping
pace with day-to-day obligations. The Cooperative Extension National initiative
Financial Security in Later Life seeks to a) help people improve personal finance
behaviors leading to financial security in later life, b) enhance the capacity
of local educators and their partners to deliver effective programs, and c) increase
economic vitality and quality of life for families and communities. A satellite
videoconference designed to increase the capacity of educators and community
partners to deliver effective programs was held in December 2003. On-line evaluations
indicate this capacity-building opportunity clearly met objectives.
Building an Extension Information Network: An Oregon Agricultural Case Study
Burt, Larry
This article discusses an Extension electronic
database system that was developed to gather, maintain, and disseminate basic
economic information on Oregon's agricultural production and sales. The system
could be modified to facilitate a wide range of Extension program needs for
the collection and dissemination of information.
Raising the Visibility of Extension Web Sites
Palmer, Dave
Extension Web sites are not as visible to search
engines as they could be. In fact, many are nearly invisible. The search
engine optimization techniques described in this article can help bring Extension
Web sites--and their content--to millions of searchers. Increased Extension
productivity will result.
