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The benefits to the environment associated with farmer adoption of Best Management Practices (BMPs) is well documented, yet the agricultural industry has resisted widespread acceptance and implementation. Network support, level of education/knowledge, and financial concerns have all been found as contributing factors impacting adoption. Extension agents can increase knowledge levels through direct education with farmers; however, network support in the form of public support and willingness to pay for engagement in BMPs may be the best way to combine the network and financial support farmers need to increase engagement. Unfortunately, little is known about public interest in supporting BMP engagement. This study was conducted to determine public willingness to pay for BMP engagement and identify the characteristics of those willing to pay more for food produced using BMPs so that agricultural communication efforts may be targeted at both consumers and producers. Findings indicated there was public support for BMP adoption and that most supported a 10% increase in food prices when purchasing food produced using BMPs. Recommendations are provided regarding marketing strategies and how agricultural communicators can identify and utilize BMP opinion leaders to assist in educating a broad base of consumers in the cost of BMP engagement.

Mosquitoes are both a nuisance and public health threat. In recent decades, outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika in Florida have raised awareness of the importance of domestic and peri-domestic container mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The synanthropic nature of these species, coupled with their preference for human bloodmeals, makes them a concern of and target for mosquito control. However, mosquito control programs (MCPs) often struggle to sustainably manage these mosquitoes because of the cryptic and abundant nature of their larval habitats, and negative public opinion towards MCPs and the use of insecticides. Fortunately, mosquito control can be improved by the actions of homeowners and residents as they have regular access to their own property and containers. Schoolbased education programs can provide a means to community-wide education regarding mosquito control. We developed and delivered a mosquito education program to elementary, middle, and high school students. Knowledge of mosquitoes significantly improved in participating elementary and middle/high school students. This knowledge was partially retained according to a follow-up test that was administered. Additionally, attitudes towards mosquito control and at-home control methods significantly improved following the instruction. The improvements in knowledge and attitudes observed in students suggest they can and should be targeted for mosquito education campaigns by mosquito control programs and educators.

This study sought to describe agriculture and natural resources (ANR) opinion leaders' ethical orientations by illuminating how they determine what is right/wrong or good/bad when making decisions that impact the ANR industry. ANR leaders' ethical perspectives impact decisions regarding complex critical issues and influence others' behavior. We used Q methodology, and four typologies were revealed, including Principled, Industry-focused, Dutiful, and Multi-Hat Leaders. The methodological approach of Q methodology to identify common ethical perspectives among ANR leaders is unique. Leadership development practitioners and educators should encourage leaders to reflect on and be cognizant of their ethical beliefs, particularly when making high-stakes decisions with far-reaching implications and when representing others as industry leaders. Though each typology characterized was unique, they all relied on a combination of ethical perspectives to guide their decision making. This may be evidence of Kohlberg's postconventional morality as leaders' attempt to reconcile a multitude of perspectives while seeking solutions to complex problems. Ensuring ethical approaches to food and fiber production and consumption simultaneously with care for and preservation of natural resources begins with a clear understanding of leaders' existing ethical perspectives.

Historically, education abroad has been designed to provide students a full immersion experience by way of semester or year-long study at a foreign university. However, this traditional format has been redefined to include a variety of non-traditional international experiences, such as international service learning projects, internships, and short-term international experiences. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to develop a deep understanding of the lived experiences of agricultural education undergraduate students participating in a short-term international experience. The overarching question that guided the study was: What were the lived experiences of agricultural education undergraduate students during a short-term international experience? As a result of the short-term international experience, students did not progress fully through all levels of development needed to be considered proficient in cultural competence. However, students demonstrated significant gains in cultural awareness and some gains in cultural understanding and cultural sensitivity. Finally, participating students verified some progress toward building cultural communication competencies as a result of their experience.

Agricultural communicators and extension educators need to make scientific information about global warming, a critical component of climate change, more salient to the general public to increase knowledge and to encourage people to take action to mitigate its effect; however, views on global warming are diverse. Scientists have repeatedly shown human activity is directly impacting the Earth's climate. Despite this, a segment of the U.S. population (including politicians with a large amount of influence) are very vocal about their mistrust of climate science and lack of belief in global warming. States located on the coasts are affected by climate change the most where extreme weather events impact the safety of residents and agricultural production more often than those located inland. This research used the Six Americas framework to identify the diverse segments of believers/nonbelievers in Florida. Findings revealed 87% of respondents believed in climate change but are not actively engaged in its mitigation. Recommendations are offered on how agricultural communicators can reach diverse segments of the population and the role extension educators can play in their communities to turn difficult to understand climate science into something the public can understand and get behind.

This descriptive and comparative study was conducted to explain agriculture teaching faculty involvement in and perceptions of study abroad. Further, faculty involvement and perceptions were compared based on the personal and professional characteristics of faculty. Faculty involvement in this study included a set of activities in which faculty may be involved in addition to leading a study abroad program. Findings revealed that faculty were somewhat involved in study abroad activities and perceived study abroad outcomes as important. However, faculty were slightly less convinced that studying abroad actually produces those outcomes among students. While faculty perceived increasing study abroad participation as a priority at the institutional and college levels, they agreed less with increasing study abroad participation as being a priority among administrators and colleagues in their department. Analysis of differences between groups yielded few significant findings, with the exception of the prior international experience acquired by faculty. Recommendations for future research include replication of this study with faculty from additional universities, as well as qualitative or mixed method approaches to further investigate inconclusive findings of this study.

Agriculture organization (AO) members are key stakeholders within the agriculture and natural resources (ANR) sector, and their engagement in policy decisions can help direct future policy formulation and implementation. Such policies and regulations are often determined by and voted upon by elected officials, and, therefore, the decisions made by those officials have become key influencers of the functionality and future direction of agricultural operations. This study was conducted to examine the impact of AO members' perceptions, abilities, and prior efforts on their likeliness of contacting an elected official and engaging in ANR policy. AO members in this study who had greater confidence in their abilities to engage in ANR policy and had previously contacted an elected official were more likely to contact an elected official about a future policy. AO members who had more favorable beliefs about how elected officials prepare to vote, however, were less likely to engage in ANR policy by contacting an elected official. Future practice should include training and educational opportunities to enhance AO members' perceptions of their ability to engage with their elected officials and influence ANR policy decisions. Future research should be conducted to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by AO members when contacting elected officials and engaging in ANR policy.

Mosquitoes are both a nuisance and public health threat. In recent decades, outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika in Florida have raised awareness of the importance of domestic and peri-domestic container mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The synanthropic nature of these species, coupled with their preference for human bloodmeals, makes them a concern of and target for mosquito control. However, mosquito control programs (MCPs) often struggle to sustainably manage these mosquitoes because of the cryptic and abundant nature of their larval habitats, and negative public opinion towards MCPs and the use of insecticides. Fortunately, mosquito control can be improved by the actions of homeowners and residents as they have regular access to their own property and containers. Schoolbased education programs can provide a means to community-wide education regarding mosquito control. We developed and delivered a mosquito education program to elementary, middle, and high school students. Knowledge of mosquitoes significantly improved in participating elementary and middle/high school students. This knowledge was partially retained according to a follow-up test that was administered. Additionally, attitudes towards mosquito control and at-home control methods significantly improved following the instruction. The improvements in knowledge and attitudes observed in students suggest they can and should be targeted for mosquito education campaigns by mosquito control programs and educators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has impacted many aspects of education, as well as the lives of those involved in preparing and carrying out teaching and learning amidst the ongoing pandemic. At the collegiate level, while both students and faculty alike have navigated virtual learning spaces, one specific population has experienced stress of being both a student and educator – Graduate students. This study used internet-based photo-elicitation and interview methods to investigate the experiences of graduate students serving as teaching/research assistants during the abrupt transition to virtual teaching and learning at the onset of COVID-19. Study results weave together participant provided images with personal interviews. Data showed graduate students had minimal resources, mental health effects, and that humorous memes served as coping tools. Recommendations include increased resources, flexibility, and understanding of graduate student experiences must be centralized in higher education to benefit graduate students’ wellness through and beyond the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural sector has been influenced significantly by agriculture and natural resources (ANR) policies voted in by elected officials. Many agricultural organizations and their members have sought to provide a 'voice' for the ANR industry and communicate with policymakers about emerging issues. It is necessary that such organizations and members be able to use that voice effectively. This study was conducted to examine the communication preferences of Florida agricultural organization members and factors that may encourage them to contact elected officials about an ANR policy. Respondents in this study least preferred to be contacted by their organization(s) via phone call or text message. They also identified local Extension offices and the university as the most trustworthy sources of communication regarding ANR policy. When contacting members to spur involvement in ANR policy decisions, organizational leaders should use a variety of communication mediums, including email magazines and printed newsletters and magazines, to promote engagement in ANR policy discussions. Future research is needed to examine other factors that may influence agriculture organization members' communication with elected officials, as well as the types of messaging strategies organizational leaders can use to further members' engagement in ANR policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graduate students hold several roles and responsibilities (i.e., learner, employee, teaching assistant, researcher, caregiver, etc.). Due to COVID-19, and the abrupt transition to virtual workplaces and learning environments during the spring 2020 semester, many graduate students encountered complex experiences and the blending of roles and responsibilities. This qualitative study included interviews with 22 graduate students about their experiences during the COVID-19 online transition at a land grant university. The four emergent themes included: (a) graduate students' complexity of roles and experiences, (b) challenges and barriers experienced, (c) support structures available to graduate students, and (d) lessons learned and implications for the future. Recommendations for practice included creating opportunities for peer-connections and collaboration within virtual learning and work environments and professional development for course instructors in emergency remote teaching (ERT) and virtual settings. Recommendations for research included an investigation of best practices of online written interview methods, longitudinal study of graduate students as they move beyond graduate school to determine how ERT has affected their new roles, and further examination of graduate students' needs and preparedness for delivering and receiving ERT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benefits to the environment associated with farmer adoption of Best Management Practices (BMPs) is well documented, yet the agricultural industry has resisted widespread acceptance and implementation. Network support, level of education/knowledge, and financial concerns have all been found as contributing factors impacting adoption. Extension agents can increase knowledge levels through direct education with farmers; however, network support in the form of public support and willingness to pay for engagement in BMPs may be the best way to combine the network and financial support farmers need to increase engagement. Unfortunately, little is known about public interest in supporting BMP engagement. This study was conducted to determine public willingness to pay for BMP engagement and identify the characteristics of those willing to pay more for food produced using BMPs so that agricultural communication efforts may be targeted at both consumers and producers. Findings indicated there was public support for BMP adoption and that most supported a 10% increase in food prices when purchasing food produced using BMPs. Recommendations are provided regarding marketing strategies and how agricultural communicators can identify and utilize BMP opinion leaders to assist in educating a broad base of consumers in the cost of BMP engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, education abroad has been designed to provide students a full immersion experience by way of semester or year-long study at a foreign university. However, this traditional format has been redefined to include a variety of non-traditional international experiences, such as international service learning projects, internships, and short-term international experiences. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to develop a deep understanding of the lived experiences of agricultural education undergraduate students participating in a short-term international experience. The overarching question that guided the study was: What were the lived experiences of agricultural education undergraduate students during a short-term international experience? As a result of the short-term international experience, students did not progress fully through all levels of development needed to be considered proficient in cultural competence. However, students demonstrated significant gains in cultural awareness and some gains in cultural understanding and cultural sensitivity. Finally, participating students verified some progress toward building cultural communication competencies as a result of their experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural communicators and extension educators need to make scientific information about global warming, a critical component of climate change, more salient to the general public to increase knowledge and to encourage people to take action to mitigate its effect; however, views on global warming are diverse. Scientists have repeatedly shown human activity is directly impacting the Earth's climate. Despite this, a segment of the U.S. population (including politicians with a large amount of influence) are very vocal about their mistrust of climate science and lack of belief in global warming. States located on the coasts are affected by climate change the most where extreme weather events impact the safety of residents and agricultural production more often than those located inland. This research used the Six Americas framework to identify the diverse segments of believers/nonbelievers in Florida. Findings revealed 87% of respondents believed in climate change but are not actively engaged in its mitigation. Recommendations are offered on how agricultural communicators can reach diverse segments of the population and the role extension educators can play in their communities to turn difficult to understand climate science into something the public can understand and get behind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This descriptive and comparative study was conducted to explain agriculture teaching faculty involvement in and perceptions of study abroad. Further, faculty involvement and perceptions were compared based on the personal and professional characteristics of faculty. Faculty involvement in this study included a set of activities in which faculty may be involved in addition to leading a study abroad program. Findings revealed that faculty were somewhat involved in study abroad activities and perceived study abroad outcomes as important. However, faculty were slightly less convinced that studying abroad actually produces those outcomes among students. While faculty perceived increasing study abroad participation as a priority at the institutional and college levels, they agreed less with increasing study abroad participation as being a priority among administrators and colleagues in their department. Analysis of differences between groups yielded few significant findings, with the exception of the prior international experience acquired by faculty. Recommendations for future research include replication of this study with faculty from additional universities, as well as qualitative or mixed method approaches to further investigate inconclusive findings of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]