Ohio State University Extension Research Articles

What Ohio Extention Agents Say About Sustainable Agriculture

Virtually all scientists agree that the ecosystem represents a web of life. Changes in the plant, animal or human sphere are likely to trigger changes in one or more the spheres and in the ecological system as a whole. Understanding this interconnectedness of life is basic for everyone. Education on the ecological aspects of agriculture is only now being promoted under the rubric of agricultural sustainability. In general, sustainable agriculture enjoins farmers to reduce their use of petrochemicals on the land. While a few part-time and small-scale farmers are quick to catch on to the new practice, commercial farmers and megafarm operators are still examining the risks involved. Extension agents could play a key role in helping these commercial farmers in their decision-making processes regarding the environment. The question is whether Extension agents understand environmental concepts themselves. This study found that Extension workers in Ohio who responded to the survey lack a firm understanding of sustainable agriculture. While research findings necessary to convince these agents about the scientific basis of agroecology abound, these may not be available to Extension agnets. Extension agents have expressed a need for training in sustainable agriculture. It is recommended that The Ohio State University Extension Service organize regular inservice training programs to prepare these agents adequately so that they, in turn, can educate their farmers. In the long run, the study urges traditional agricultural education departments in land-grant universities to include sustainable agricultural education as a part of the curriculum for extension graduates. Finally, the researcher found that there exists a communication gap between members of the sustainable agriculture movement and extension agents. This gap must be narrowed through open discussions and increased flow of information in both directions.

Leadership And Managerial Skills Of County Commissioners As Perceived By County Commissioners, Ohio State University Extension Charis And Assessment Center Assessors

The need for effective local governance systems has never been greater. Actions by federal and state governments have shifted responsibility for many programs and services to the local level and local officials are being required to make decisions having significant political, social and economic consequences. In Ohio 12,126 men and women held county, township, and municipal government positions in 1988 (Collamore, 1988). These positions include commissioners, mayors, trustees, auditors, treasurers and other elected and appointed department heads. Leadership and managerial skills are essential qualities for elected officials to possess. Several agencies provide general training after the leaders have been in office for a time. Little evidence is available regarding new and emerging elected leaders in small and midsize communities having access to personal assessment of their public administration and leadership skills (Boothe, 1990).

Perceptions, Responses, And Knowledge About Diversity Held By Extension Administrators

The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge of diversity and response towards diversity by The Ohio State University Extension administrators. Results indicated that the Extension organization had reached the level at which people were actively acknowledging diversity as an issue. The most critical diversity issues facing Extension were confusion about how to communicate and serve clientele from other backgrounds, understanding how to use the different strengths of individuals, lack of clear vision of what a multicultural organization could achieve, and recruitment programs that failed to attract diverse applicants. The administrators scored an average of 65% on a research or fact based multiple-choice test which measured knowledge about diversity. The Extension administrators were neither pessimistic or optimistic regarding the organization's progress toward providing equal opportunity to all employees.

Nunc Dimittis

Gates S. Vickers died in Columbus, Ohio, on April 17. He was born in Canajoharie, New York, December 2, 1895, and received a B.S. degree at New Mexico A and M College in 1917, and an M.S. degree at Cornell University in 1920.He joined the Ohio State University Extension Faculty in 1920, serving until 1927, and again from 1961 to 1966. He helped poultry producers to improve management practices and to gather data on production costs.For many years he was Executive Secretary of the Ohio Poultry Improvement Association. This group was responsible to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for poultry breeding and disease control work in the State of Ohio. Later he organized an industry wide trade association, the Ohio Poultry Association, and initiated the Ohio State Fair Chicken Barbeque.He was an Emeritus Member of the Poultry Science Association.