Department Of Agricultural Education Research Articles

Teaching Students with Disabilities: Speech and Language Impairments

This publication is one of the seven new articles that have been published in the Teaching Students with Disabilities series. This series provides useful information to ag-ed based instructors about different disabilities and how to teach those students in the unique environments posed by ag-ed, including classroom, laboratory, and non-formal environments. Written by Blake C. Colclasure, Andrew C. Thoron, and Sarah E. LaRose, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, August 2016. AEC601/WC263: Teaching Students with Disabilities: Speech and Language Impairments (ufl.edu)

Teaching Students with Disabilities: Hearing Impairments and Deafness

This publication is one of the seven new articles that have been published in the Teaching Students with Disabilities series. This series provides useful information to ag-ed based instructors about different disabilities and how to teach those students in the unique environments posed by ag-ed, including classroom, laboratory, and non-formal environments. Written by Blake C. Colclasure, Andrew C. Thoron, and Sarah E. LaRose, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, August 2016. AEC596/WC258: Teaching Students with Disabilities: Hearing Impairments and Deafness (ufl.edu)

Teaching Students with Disabilities: Visual Impairment and Blindness

This publication is one of the seven new articles that have been published in the Teaching Students with Disabilities series. This series provides useful information to ag-ed based instructors about different disabilities and how to teach those students in the unique environments posed by ag-ed, including classroom, laboratory, and non-formal environments. Written by Blake C. Colclasure, Andrew C. Thoron, and Sarah E. LaRose, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, August 2016. AEC597/WC259: Teaching Students with Disabilities: Visual Impairment and Blindness (ufl.edu)

Opinion Leadership and the Perceived Effects of Local Food on the Local Community

This EDIS document is the second in a series discussing how Extension can more efficiently encourage citizens to join the local food movement by effectively utilizing and leveraging opinion leaders. These articles look at the role opinion leaders, or individuals who have a large amount of influence within their respective social circles, can have on motivating their peers to join in purchasing local food. Written by Layne S. Marshall, Melissa R. Taylor, and Alexa J. Lamm, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, August 2016. AEC605/WC267: Opinion Leadership and the Perceived Effects of Local Food on the Local Community (ufl.edu)

Opinion Leadership and the Perceived Economics of Local Food

This EDIS document is the third in a series discussing how Extension can more efficiently encourage citizens to join the local food movement by effectively utilizing and leveraging opinion leaders. These articles look at the role opinion leaders, or individuals who have a large amount of influence within their respective social circles, can have on motivating their peers to join in purchasing local food. Written by Layne S. Marshall, Melissa R. Taylor, and Alexa J. Lamm, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, August 2016. AEC606/WC268: Opinion Leadership and the Perceived Economics of Local Food (ufl.edu)

Opinion Leadership and the Perceived Health Benefits of Local Food

This EDIS document is the first in a series discussing how Extension can more efficiently encourage citizens to join the local food movement by effectively utilizing and leveraging opinion leaders. These articles look at the role opinion leaders, or individuals who have a large amount of influence within their respective social circles, can have on motivating their peers to join in purchasing local food. Written by Layne S. Marshall, Melissa R. Taylor, and Alexa J. Lamm, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, August 2016. AEC604/WC266: Opinion Leadership and the Perceived Health Benefits of Local Food (ufl.edu)

Understanding Science: How to Fill the Communication Gap

The industrialization of society has led to many scientific advancements, which have both benefits and controversies. Despite sound science, controversies around scientific issues have led the public to make decisions that disagree with scientific evidence. Why does this gap between science and perception exist? This 4-page fact sheet looks at the characteristics of scientists, the media, and the public to help explain how the gap in science communication has occurred while also providing strategies for closing that gap in the future. Written by Joy N. Rumble and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, June 2016.

Identifying Gaps between Importance and Satisfaction to Identify Extension Clients’ Needs

This is the third document the Importance-performance Analysis series, a series of three about using Importance-performance analyis (IPA) to prioritize Extension resources. This 3-page article covers gap analysis as a means to understand a client's perceptions and rank Extension priorities. Gap analysis using IPA is an innovative and useful approach for Extension educators to conduct needs assessments and to evaluate programs. Written by Anil Kumar Chaudhary and Laura A. Warner, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, May 2016. AEC590/WC252: Identifying Gaps between Importance and Satisfaction to Identify Extension Clients' Needs (ufl.edu)

Differences in Perceptions of Agricultural Water Use between the General Public and Local Officials

Due to the scarcity of water resources among states and the influx of people, balancing agriculture and public water needs has become a contentious issue. Therefore, dialogue must take place to educate and inform the general public and local officials about the reality of agricultural water use. This is the second article in a series describing the differences in perceptions of agricultural water use in Florida between the general public and local officials. This 4-page fact sheet identifies the differences among groups for agricultural water use and provides ways to change Extension programming according to these differences. Written by Courtney T. Owens, Alexa J. Lamm, and Ricky W. Telg, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, April 2016. AEC587/WC249: Differences in Perceptions of Agricultural Water Use between the General Public and Local Officials (ufl.edu)

Promoting Ag Awareness through Commodity Fact Sheets

Increasing public awareness of Florida agriculture is a vital step in motivating the public to support agriculture. A basic understanding of Florida’s agricultural products, their impacts on the economy and the environment, and their availability contributes to Extension’s mission to sustain and enhance quality of life. This 3-page publication outlines a series of fact sheets with infographics related to specific Florida agricultural commodities. These fact sheets are intended to be visually appealing while presenting an overview of the commodity and its role in Florida agriculture. Written by Kathryn A. Stofer, Jessica Sullivan, Joy Rumble, and Libbie Johnson, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, June 2016. AEC591/WC253: Promoting Ag Awareness through Commodity Fact Sheets (ufl.edu)

Encouraging Landscape Water-Conservation Behaviors #4: Florida Homeowners’ Reactions to Messages that Encourage Landscape Water Conservation Practice Adoption

This is the fourth publication in the Encouraging Landscape Water Conservation Behaviors series, which focuses on improving and encouraging water conservation among Florida residents who use irrigation in their home landscape. This 4-page fact sheet examines the impact of differently framed messages on Florida residents’ attitudes toward good irrigation practices and their perceived ability to implement those practices. Written by Joy Rumble, Laura A. Warner, Courtney Owens, Alexa Lamm, and Randall Cantrell, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, June 2016.

Prioritizing Extension Resources Using Perceived Importance and Satisfaction: An Underutilized Approach

Importance-performance analysis, or IPA, measure how people feel about certain characteristics of a place, issue, or program. Extension professionals can use IPA to make decisions and prioritize resources by understanding how clients rate the importance of and satisfaction with specific attributes of a program or facility. This three-page fact sheet explains IPA and how to use it. It is the first article in the Importance-performance Analysis series, a series of three on using IPA to prioritize Extension resources. Written by Laura A. Warner and Anil Jumar Chaudhary, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, May 2016. AEC588/WC250: Prioritizing Extension Resources Using Perceived Importance and Satisfaction: An Underutilized Approach (ufl.edu)

Attitudes and Perceptions of Agricultural Water Use in Florida Expressed by the General Public and Local Officials

The use of water has become increasingly contentious because an increased population is sharing a decreasing amount of water. Water remains Florida’s most plentiful natural resource but is at risk as the agriculture industry and Floridians demand more water for a variety of uses. This 4-page fact sheet discusses the media’s influence on perceptions of agricultural water use, the measurement of attitudes and perception towards agricultural water use, and ways to educate the general public and local officials on this issue. Written by Courtney T. Owens, Alexa J. Lamm, and Ricky W. Telg, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, April 2016. AEC586/WC248: Attitudes and Perceptions of Agricultural Water Use in Florida Expressed by the General Public and Local Officials (ufl.edu)

Encouraging Landscape Water-Conservation Behaviors: Applying Audience Segmentation to Water Conservation Activities in the Landscape—Defining Segments of the Florida Homeowner Audience and Implications for Extension Programming

This is the second publication in the Encouraging Landscape Water Conservation Behaviors series, which focuses on encouraging water conservation among Florida residents who use irrigation in their home landscapes. This 6-page fact sheet examines one approach to segmenting Florida residents who use irrigation in the home landscape. It also describes how segmentation can be used to encourage water conservation practices. Written by Laura A. Warner, Emmett Martin, Alexa J. Lamm, Joy N. Rumble, and Esen Momol, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, May 2016.

Integrating Critical Thinking into Extension Programming #4: Measuring Critical Thinking Styles Using the UFCTI

The fourth installment in the Integrating Critical Thinking into Extension Programming series, this article explains the University of Florida Critical Thinking Inventory (UFCTI), a method of determining a person’s critical thinking style. This 3-page fact sheet describes the history and development of the UFCTI, how to interpret the results, and how to use the test to enhance Extension programs. Written by Alexa J. Lamm and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, April 2016. AEC547/WC209: Integrating Critical Thinking into Extension Programming #4: Measuring Critical Thinking Styles Using the UFCTI (ufl.edu)

Encouraging Landscape Water-Conservation Behaviors #5: Segmenting the Audience Based on HOA Status

The newest article in the Encouraging Landscape Water-Conservation Behavior series, this 6-page fact sheet provides Extension professionals with information on segmenting audiences based on their home owner association status. It provides data that shows how HOA membership potentially affects the barriers that households face when adopting conservation measures and explains how Extension professionals should use this information to enhance programming by strategically planning programs based on the similarities between clients. Written by Laura A. Warner, Alexa J. Lamm, Emmett Martin, Joy N. Rumble, and Esen Momol, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, April 2016.

Understanding Ag Awareness Programming throughout UF/IFAS Extension: Supporting Citizen Awareness of Food Systems and the Environment

Florida Extension agents around the state are working to increase public agricultural awareness (Ag Awareness). This 5-page fact sheet outlines Florida’s recent Extension efforts in agricultural awareness and highlights future directions to coordinate and strengthen this work, offering ideas for best practices while avoiding unnecessary duplication. Written by Joy N. Rumble, Kathryn A. Stofer, and Libbie Johnson, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, April 2016.

Frequently Asked Questions about Evapotranspiration (ET) Irrigation Controllers

Evapotranspiration is the amount of water that is released into the atmosphere through evaporation and plant transpiration. An evapotranspiration irrigation controller is a device that uses data about the landscape, the type of irrigation system, and local weather conditions to determine when and how much to irrigate. This 5-page fact sheet explains how the technology functions as well as how to install, program, operate, and maintain an ET controller for a money- and water-wise sustainable home landscape that’s lush and beautiful. Written by Paul Monaghan, Ondine Wells, Michael Dukes, Maria Morera, and Laura Warner, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, November 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions about Soil Moisture Sensor Irrigation Controllers (SMS)

A soil moisture sensor (SMS) is a device that detects how much moisture is in the soil and prevents an irrigation system from running when it is not needed. This 4-page fact sheet explains how the technology functions as well as how to install, program, operate, and maintain an SMS for a money- and water-wise sustainable home landscape that’s lush and beautiful. Written by Paul Monaghan, Ondine Wells, Michael Dukes, Maria Morera, and Laura Warner, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, September 2015.

Teaching to Different Personality Types

A person’s personality affects the way he or she learns best. Extension programs can use an understanding of different learning styles and preferences to reach the greatest number of people. This EDIS document is the first in the Teaching to Different Personality Types series, and provides a broad overview of how understanding and acknowledging personality types can assist in Extension program development. Written by Alexa J. Lamm and Ricky W. Telg, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, September 2015. (Photo credit: Rawpixel Ltd/iStock/Thinkstock.com) AEC570/WC232: Teaching to Different Personality Types (ufl.edu)