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The purpose of this study was to identify the competencies essential for Florida early career 4-H agent success. This four-round Delphi study asked three expert panels to identify the competencies required for Florida early career agent success in years one and three. The Delphi procedure is a multi-round consensus building process, with the preceding round dictating the questions asked in subsequent rounds (Werner, 2017). The panels identified 55 year-one and 67 year-three competencies that fell into 15 competency areas. These competencies can be used to develop professional training programs to meet the needs of early career agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Florida's Strategic Plan for Extension in Metropolitan Regions reflects an adaptive management approach to the state's urban Extension mission within the context of establishing essential elements, performance indicators, key outcomes, and suggested alternatives for action. Extension leadership has adopted the strategic plan, and implementation efforts are under way. The successful future of urban Extension in Florida lies in fully embracing and monitoring the plan and recommendations therein. In this article, we describe the course of developing the strategic plan, which included the use of a modified Delphi process and a strategic adaptive management format. We encourage others to adapt our methods to develop plans to meet their specific needs and desired outcomes.

Extension educators are often considered influential community leaders. Still the question remains--how do educators motivate themselves to success? Does this contribute towards their self-leadership perceptions? Specialists from three universities administered a survey to look at the "self-leadership" of Extension educators. Results indicated Extension educators use a variety of motivation strategies; however, there was a lack of awareness of how their thought processes contributed towards leadership success. Ultimately, future Extension professional development curriculum and trainings should be focused on developing motivational strategies such as how to successfully "self-talk," evaluation of one's beliefs and assumptions, and how to visualize successful performance.

The qualitative study reported here explored why agricultural agents pursue an Extension career. A purposive sample was used to select twelve Florida agricultural agents. Interviews investigated positive and negative influences that affected agents' employment decisions. Grounded theory was used as the primary data analysis method (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). The selective categories most influential on agents' decisions to enter into Extension were: agent background, career contacts, service to agricultural community, nature of Extension work, position fit, and university-supported education. A grounded theory was developed to explain the findings. Results are useful for Extension to practice proactive agent recruitment. (Contains 1 figure.)

Agricultural extension is evolving worldwide, and there is much emphasis today on community-based mechanisms of dissemination in order to bring sustainable change. The goal of this study was to examine the factors that make farmer groups successful in dissemination of information and technologies. A mixed-methods, multiple-stage approach was used to obtain data, using participant observation, documentary analysis, semi-structured interviews, social mapping, and structured questionnaires. Dairy-goat farmer groups (n = 46) and individual farmers (n = 88) were interviewed. Factors that were associated with group success in dissemination included member participation, degree of jealousy within the group, homogeneity of members, group capacity, number of linkages and type of group (project-supported versus non-supported). Some interventions that may increase the success of groups in dissemination include capacity-building, increasing linkages with other extension stakeholders, providing an enabling environment for groups to form, using established groups (as compared to forming new groups), and encouraging groups to form around common interests rather than for other reasons. (Contains 3 tables and 2 notes.)

Responses from 314 of 422 extension faculty showed a variety of levels of job stress, primarily from time pressures and overcommitment. Those who used formal planning and time management techniques had lower stress scores. Time with family was a common coping mechanism. (Contains 19 references.) (SK)

The article discusses the law enforcement bill of rights (LEOBOR) and their effects on police violence and accountability in the U.S. Also examined are how LEOBORs create double due process, the power of law enforcement officers to employ violence to coerce citizens, the effects of police misconduct, and some court cases like the National Treasury Employees Union v. Von Raab as examples.

This article describes a study that focused on Florida Extension agents' levels of knowledge regarding community food security. We distributed a standardized knowledge test to all Extension agents in Florida. The results revealed that Florida Extension agents have a wide range of knowledge levels regarding this concept. Agents have statistically significant differences in knowledge levels among Extension districts and time spent with their county. In order to better meet clientele needs, we recommend agent training and education on the concept of community food security and localized community assessments to identify stakeholders' community food security issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study was undertaken to compare two particularly successful rural communities, focusing on the importance of leadership within the community. Four significant factors set these successful communities apart from those less viable-effective communication, development of social capital, community engagement, and collaboration across and within communities. This article describes each component and provides specific suggestions for improvement. Ultimately, these factors could be used as focus areas to improve community leadership through the development of community-appropriate curricula, seminars, and workshops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study reported here was to determine how well University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension faculty were prepared to deal with professional demands, job expectations and clientele needs, while coping with personal hardships as a result of the 2004 hurricane season. Results indicate that respondents were not well prepared to deal with professional challenges and the emotional symptoms of clientele during the hurricane season. Respondents reported needing training in disaster preparedness, in applying subject matter expertise in disaster situations, and in assisting coworkers to cope with stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the research described in this article was to determine if the 4-H experience meets the developmental outcome that promotes positive youth development, belonging and inclusive environment. Survey respondents tended to agree or strongly agree that they felt a positive sense of belonging and inclusiveness in 4-H. Second, as the degree of 4-H participation increases, 4-H members are more likely to feel a sense of belonging and inclusiveness. For 4-H to be a quality youth development organization, it has a responsibility to ensure that programs promote a sense of belonging and inclusiveness among all 4-H members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the results of a survey which examined the communication channels that extension faculty in Florida utilized during the 2004 hurricane season to communicate with the public. Respondents indicated that they made slight to moderate use of news media channels, with word of mouth and telephones as the most used and effective personal communication channels used. Flyers and print materials was the most used and effective mediated communication channel.

Advisory committees are a key component of true grassroots extension programming. Seasoned Extension agents can be very adept at using advisory committee members to multiply their efforts while further enhancing skills among these volunteers. For many new Extension agents, however, this can be a great challenge. Through interactive use of the nominal group technique, new Extension agents at the University of Florida have been able to share many ideas about effectively involving advisory committee members, and they have learned about this innovative group process technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article emphasizes the importance of cooperation between secondary agricultural educators and extension agents. Anecdotal evidence suggests that there is a problem of limited cooperation between the disciplines of agricultural education, specifically in youth programming. A questionnaire was conducted to explore the current environment of interdisciplinary cooperation between agriculture teachers and Extension agents in a southeastern state.

Provides information on a study that explored cooperation among agricultural education teachers and Extension agents. Identification of major and minor themes of cooperation among agricultural educators and Extension agents; Comparison of the perceptions of each group toward cooperation; Methodology and results of the study.

Focuses on the Alachua County Master Cattlemen Program in Florida which aims to increase beef cattle reproduction efficiency using expected progeny differences and to increase total pounds of beef produced, thereby increasing producers' profitability. Procedures; Objectives; Economic impact.