County Extension Agents Research Articles

GREENHOUSE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

A complete program of integrated pest management (IPM) for commercial greenhouse production was developed. Comprehensive educational materials in the form of fact sheets, guidelines, action checklists, bulletins and a regular news-letter were produced to aid commercial greenhouse growers in Oklahoma. This literature was also used to supplement two intensive IPM workshops provided statewide to Oklahoma growers, educators and cooperative extension agents. In addition to written materials, two satellite videoconferences were conducted for the benefit of county extension agents and their clientele across the state and throughout the U.S., where compatible down-link facilities existed. Videotapes were prepared from the videoconferences for the benefit of growers and cooperative extension agents who lacked access to down-link satellite technology or desired a record for later study. A detailed implementation guide with support materials is available for initiation of a greenhouse IPM program for any state. Very few modifications if any would be necessary to adopt the OSU program.

Emergency evacuation of horses - a Madison County, Kentucky survey

Abstract A survey of horse farms in Madison County, Kentucky, was made to collect data to use in preparation of an equine evacuation plan, in case of a natural disaster. The farms ranged in size from 0.5 to 500 acres. Nine breeds of horses were represented. Only 65.5% held horses for commereial reasons. Other animals on the farms included cattle, goats, dogs, cats, poultry, and waterfowl. Most farms had multiple sources of water for livestock. Only 26.9% of the farm managers thought they would need supplemental horse feed during an emergency. All of the farms had some type of shelter for horses. None had experienced an evacuation, but 11.5% had plans developed. All had some equipment for evacuation, but help would be a problem in on 57.7% of the farms. It was estimated that on average 5 horses at a time could be moved from the farms. A wide variety of evacuation sites were mentioned by respondents; family-owned land 25.9%; friends 29.6%; boarding stables 11.1%; a designated evacuation area 7.7%. Credible sources of evacuation information was considered radio/TV, county extension agents, Governor, police, firemen, emergency management personnel, and military officials. Regarding a decision to leave the farm in an emergency, 80.8% said their homes were a very or moderately important factor. If horses were to be left on the farm during an evacuation the concerns were water and feed (61.5%), survival and well-being (26.9%). None were concerned about theft. There were family members living within 20 miles of 76.9% of the farms surveyed. From a safety standpoint, if the notice of an emergency evacuation was given from a credible source, only 70% of the horse owners/managers would consider their families as first priority and their animals secondary. This survey points out that emergency plans should address the unique needs of horse owners. There was evidence that some owners would provide safety for their animals to the detriment of themselves. The primary criterion used for the choice of horses to evacuate would be sentimental valae on 46% of the farms. The inclusion of representatives from the horse-owning segment of the population on local emergency management planning committees is critical both to fully understand and prepare for the problems horse owners encounter and to provide timely and factual information in an emergency involving horses, livestock and other animals.

Educating County Extension Agents in Mechanical Ventilation

A three-year educational program on animal environment and ventilating systems was initiated for county extension agents. The topics included: 1) mechanical ventilating systems; 2) natural ventilating systems; and 3) heating, cooling, and air tempering. The primary objectives were to increase county agent knowledge and understanding of ventilation principles and to increase agent-led instruction of livestock producers about ventilation.

Herbs and Aromatics

I n 1987, the only extension information on herbs available from the Dept. of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, was an old leaflet on growing herbs in the home garden. County extension agents complained that they received many requests for commercial herb production information, but they did not have the training or the resources to answer the questions. In 1988, the extension herb program was initiated at North Carolina State Univ. Following is a description of the step-by-step plan used to develop a successful extension herb program. Although this is a statewide program, it could also be used as a county or regional program. Interest in growing and using herbs is increasing throughout the United States. This is reflected in the large number of newsletters, books, and magazines that are available on the topic. Many of these publications, however, are written for home gardeners or hobbyists. Although research on herbs has increased in recent years, papers in scientific journals usually contain information of interest primarily to horticulturists or large-scale producers. Practical cultural information for small-scale, commercial herb producers is limited. Inaddition, thecultural information that is available may not be suitable for growing conditions in other areas. The first step in developing the North Carolina extension herb program was to assess the present local situation; i.e., visit the growers. Operations of all sizes were visited; large, well-established ones, small profitable ones, ones that were just getting started, and some that were failing. Careful notes were taken on the successes and failures, what the primary production problems were, how marketing was handled, and what growers wanted from the extension service. The next step was to examine extension programs and materials from other states. For example, The Herb, Spice and Medicinal Plant Digest published by the Univ. of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension System (Craker and Simon, 1992) contains information on production, science, and recent literature on herbs. The Virginia Creeper (Hankins, 1991) published by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, often contains very practical information on small-scale herb production and marketing.

Prospectus for a Cooperative Extension System in Education

This article reviews lessons learned from the agricultural extension model that may be applicable to the proposed cooperative extension service in education. The agricultural extension model is a user-oriented system linking knowledge producers through state extension specialists and county extension agents with farm people and other knowledge users. In education, the adopters of innovations may be organczations such as schools as well as individuals such as teachers and administrators; the impacts of the educational innovations are less clear-cut than in agriculture; and educational innovations come from practitioners, as well as from the educational research and development system.

Community Wellness: A Group Empowerment Model for Rural America

Because answers to rural health problems no longer reside solely at the federal or state level, county Extension agents in Georgia are playing a pivotal role in helping communities empower themselves with the Community Wellness program. Community Wellness is a process-oriented program that encompasses community-based program planning; facilitates interventions based on an assessment of community-specific health needs; encourages empowerment of the community; and develops a community-wide support system. County Extension agents and other leaders serve as catalysts to bring together members of the community to identify health needs, develop strategies to solve problems, and implement solutions. Four case histories describe how this model has strengthened community infrastructure, developed human capital, and created rural leadership. A discussion of barriers to implementation and lessons learned follows.

Development of an Expert System for Sprayer Diagnostics

An expert system was developed to diagnose technical problems of agricultural chemical sprayers. The scope of the expert system includes problems in nozzle, pressure, plumbing, and pump sections as well as poor maintenance and mechanical wear. The expert system was evaluated by sprayer experts and intended users. The system was easy to use, and was able to guide the user to the solution by asking a few relevant questions. The evaluation result showed that the expert system has a potential to save maintenance time and cost for agricultural chemical sprayers. The expert system can also be used for instructional purpose by county extension agents or for customer service by farm equipment dealers and suppliers.

Comparing nutrition programs conducted by public health and Cooperative Extension personnel

We surveyed 218 county extension agents, 75 state extension specialists, 163 public health nutritionists, and 87 public health administrators in 16 states to compare the nutrition program characteristics of extension personnel with public health personnel. Public health personnel were most strongly influenced by funding regulations--more than 80% of public health nutritionists cited infant/preschool nutrition and nutrition for pregnant/lactating women as program topics. About half of the extension agents listed food preservation and preparation as the dominant topics provided. Public health personnel most frequently designed programs for pregnant and lactating women and low-income clientele; 91% of the nutritionists ranked one-to-one counseling as one of their three most important delivery methods. Extension personnel designed programs more often for homemakers/adults and youth and ranked a combination of group and media delivery methods as most important. Public health personnel use anthropometric measures and food intake records to evaluate their programs; extension personnel use written questionnaires and program records. More than 50% of the nutritionists ranked improving the health of their clients as one of the three most important impacts of their programs; more than 50% of the extension agents ranked increasing knowledge and improving skills as their most important impacts.

An Expert System on a Microcomputer for Determining Apple Tree Spacing

Abstract Apple orchards are highly diversified and complex ecological and economic systems. Production is affected by a wide range of insect, disease, weed, and mammalian pests, and is subject to the same economic and social constraints as any business enterprise. A computer technology, expert systems (ES), is being used to assist fruit growers, county extension agents, and private consultants in making better decisions about the complex horticultural, entomological, and pathological orchard problems.

Conceptual, Traditional And New Media Training Needs: A Study of County Extension Agent Perceptions

This study examines the extent to which county Extension agents perceive their need lor training in three broad areas-traditional media, new media, and conceptual areas. While the impact of the new communication technologies on Extension's internal information delivery system has been dramatic, Extension's publics also are reacting to changes in other delivery systems such as cable'television, computers, and VCRs. The changing information environment in which agents currently operate suggests that our traditional communication training efforts may need to be modified. This study found that agents appear to be aware of these changing needs, and rank the need for traditional media training considerably lower than their perceived need for communication training in either new media such as desktop publishing, or conceptual areas such as communication planning and strategies.

Bounty Programs — An Effective Weed Management Tool

Residents in Stillwater County, MT, used a weed bounty program as an educational tool to promote awareness, detection, and control of spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosaLam. # CENMA) on range and noncropland. Many people became involved with the weed control effort, weed awareness was increased, spotted knapweed was controlled, and the program was cost effective. The success of a weed bounty program is influenced by 1) the enthusiasm and innovations of the county extension agent, weed supervisor, or other key individual or group in the community; 2) the choice of the weeds selected; and 3) good media coverage of the bounty program. With proper planning and organization, weed bounty programs effectively promote awareness and action in other areas of public concern.

Armyworm Control, 1987

Abstract A satisfactory infestation of true armyworm was reported near Cloquet, Minn., by the St. Louis County extension agent. 18- × 35-ft plots were located in an uncut orchard grass field containing approximately 10 larvae/sq ft. Soil moisture was extremely short at the time the treatments were made. Plots were replicated 3 times and arranged in a randomized complete block. Insecticide was applied in the late afternoon at 75°F. Approximately 15 gal total material was applied/acre using a hand-held CO2 sprayer at 40 psi pressure. Live and dead larvae in lVa sq ft/plot were counted 24 h after treatment. Counting sites were selected by dropping a yardstick and counting larvae in the 3 inches on either side of the stick. A damage rating was taken 1 wk posttreatment both for this study and for educational use.

The new agricultural research and technology transfer policy agenda

The paper draws upon a national study to analyze two issues relevant to the future effectiveness of the American agricultural technology system: (1) linkages between research and technology transfer activities; and (2) relationships between the public and private sectors. Increased commitments to basic research by the US Department of Agriculture and the state agricultural experiment stations have served to exacerbate existing strains between research and technology transfer functions and units. Both the feasibility and desirability of having USDA's Agricultural Research Service simultaneously seek to strengthen its basic research capabilities and its commitment to technology transfer have been questioned. Within the landgrant universities, multiple pressures have served to attenuate traditional ties among agricultural researchers, extension specialists, and county extension agents. Private sector activity in agricultural research and the provision of technical information has increased following the expansion in the domains of knowledge over which firms can establish property rights and the concentration of production in a smaller number of economic units. Adjustments in the activities of the public sector in response to these changes can be seen. Still, the optimal mix of public-private sector activities in both research and technology transfer has yet to be fully analyzed. Current analyses (and public policy) are excessively constrained by the “property rights” approach to technological change.

Farm Families in Crisis: An Overview of Resources

Due to the scope of the present farm crisis, the issue of farm family stress has become an area of strong interest for family life educators, social workers, counselors, and county extension agents. This article reviews current resource materials available to help educators, counselors, and others who work with rural families in an effort to support them in crisis, to facilitate their decision making and long-range planning, and to foster their problem solving efforts. The unstable economy of the United States has had a profound, if not devastating, impact upon the agricultural community and its economic base. While most farmers remain in relatively sound financial condition, in 1985 the Farm Cost and Returns Survey indicated approximately 10 to 12% (approximately 214,000 farm operations) were adversely affected by the deteriorating condition of the United States economy. In that survey, (Agricultural and Rural Economics Division, 1986), a debtasset ratio of more than 40% and negative net cash flow were used to identify which farm operations and particularly which farm families were experiencing financial difficulty and vulnerability. Most vulnerable were approximately 38,000 to 40,000 farm operators with a negative net cash flow who were already technically insolvent. The report from the 1985 survey also indicated that many other farm operations would also fail. These farm operations and farm families were not able to fully service their existing debts nor were they sufficiently solvent to achieve adequate equity to justify increasing or rolling over debt. This financial condition affecting many farm families stemmed from their inability to respond to their existing interest repayment and debt load. For example, a recent report by the Agricultural and Rural Economics Division (1986) pointed out that the problems had been exacerbated by the sharp decline since 1981 in farm family asset values which has reduced the farmers' ability to borrow to offset their negative cash flow. This same report also noted that nearly $220 billion in owners' equity had been lost through land value depreciation between December 1981 and December 1985; farm value surveys indicated that the value of farm land declined approximately 13% nationwide within a one-year period, 1984 through 1985; and that this depreciation followed a national average decline of 7.0/o for the period of 1981 through 1983; as of April 1985, land value declines of as much as 49% from the 1981 peaks were registered for parts of the Corn Belt, with the state of Iowa suffering the most severe decline, followed by Nebraska, the other low Corn Belt states, and Great Lakes states. It was also reported that dairy farms, which are predominately located in the Great Lakes states, appeared to be the most seriously affected by financial stress. Even though milk prices have fallen less than prices of other commodities, dairy farmers were more highly leveraged than other farmers and had traditionally operated on narrow profit margins. Additionally, recent declines in farm level milk

Impact of energy audits on home energy consumption

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of energy audits on home energy consumption rate, and to determine factors affecting participation in energy audit/weatherization programmes. Objectives included: (i) developing a linear model for predicting home energy consumption; (ii) examining the role of home energy audits in consumption rate; (iii) determining whether audit participation had increased over a two‐year period; (iv) surveying reasons for non‐participation, and (v) identifying sources of audit/conservation information which were most acceptable to consumers.The model expressed home energy consumption per square foot as a linear function of demographic, attitudinal and structural variables. The three most significant predictors in the model were adequacy of information, housing tenure and income. Eight out of 10 conservation measures studied were significantly more likely to exist in the homes of those who had had an audit. Three of these measures were also significant in the model.Study findings included a 7% increase in audit participation from 1981 to 1983. Lack of money and information were the two major factors inhibiting participation. Consumers indicated a need for conservation information from acceptable sources such as short courses or workshops, county extension agents, or skilled craftspeople.

Communication Skills Important to Minnesota County Extension Agents

Communication skills used and required in various organizational contexts have been the subject of many studies in recent years. In order to study such skills, an instrument is needed which is reliable and easily adapted to fit specific organizational settings.

IO/EAM: An Input-Output Economic Assessment Model

AbstractThis paper describes a microcomputer software package, IO/EAM: An Input-Output Economic Assessment Model, which was developed at the University of Georgia through a joint extension-research effort. The package is a menudriven, user friendly program that is designed to be used by county extension agents, researchers, and other extension personnel to estimate the economic impact of changes in county economies. The program employs an input-output model that provides users with a locally based, easily updated source of economic intelligence. Use of input-output techniques allows users to estimate the impact of changes in county economies on an industry-by-industry basis and to account for the interdependencies among these industries in a county.

A direct-mail nutrition in-service program for county extension agents

A direct-mail nutrition in-service program for county extension agents

Communicating Vegetable Production Information to Growers with Varying Educational Skills1

Abstract Extension educational materials were designed to communicate vegetable production information to citizens with varying educational and agricultural skills. Slide/tape sets written at 4th to 6th grade levels and extension circulars at 6th to 8th grade levels were evaluated by North Florida citizens. Recall increased 20 to 50% following presentation of a slide/tape set or reading of the revised production guide. These educational materials were used by county extension agents to improve production skills of vegetable growers.

Learning Styles in Adult Education: a Study of County Extension Agents

This Study explored the effectiveness of Kolb's Learning Style Inventory in identifying learning styles and implications for designing education programs for County Extension Agents in Ken tucky (N = 349) to assess its usefulness in identifying learning styles and in designing appropriate adult learning experiences. The results indicate a variety of learning styles among the population adult learning experiences. The results indicate a variety of learning styles among the population with one dominant style being identified. Despite minimal correlations between individual learn ing styles and preferences for particular educational techniques, it is contended that the inven tory provides a potentially useful framework for designing and conducting adult educational pro grams.