The IARCs and their Impact on National Research and Extension Programs

Statistical and administrative agencies often collect information on related parameters. Discrepancies between estimates from distinct data sources can arise due to differences in definitions, reference periods, and data collection protocols. Integrating statistical data with administrative data is appealing for saving data collection costs, reducing respondent burden, and improving the coherence of estimates produced by statistical and administrative agencies. Model based techniques, such as small area estimation and measurement error models, for combining multiple data sources have benefits of transparency, reproducibility, and the ability to provide an estimated uncertainty. Issues associated with integrating statistical data with administrative data are discussed in the context of data from Namibia. The national statistical agency in Namibia produces estimates of crop area using data from probability samples. Simultaneously, the Namibia Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Forestry obtains crop area estimates through extension programs. We illustrate the use of a structural measurement error model for the purpose of synthesizing the administrative and survey data to form a unified estimate of crop area. Limitations on the available data preclude us from conducting a genuine, thorough application. Nonetheless, our illustration of methodology holds potential use for a general practitioner.

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College Students’ Knowledge of Ticks in Oklahoma: Assessment and Insights

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12070658 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 658

Author(s):

Elise Knowlton ◽

Justin L. Talley ◽

Bruce H. Noden ◽

William Wyatt Hoback

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Lyme Disease ◽

Medical Treatment ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

State University ◽

Extension Programs ◽

Oklahoma State University ◽

Supplemental Education ◽

Community Members ◽

Survey Responses

Ticks (Arachnida: Acari) are common in Oklahoma and may transmit tick-borne diseases (TBDs) to people. Due to the difficulty in reducing tick populations, awareness of tick bite prevention, proper tick removal, and knowledge of when to seek medical treatment are critical. However, outreach and extension programs are hampered by a lack of knowledge of what community members know about ticks. To address this limitation, we surveyed college students enrolled in three non-major Entomology courses at Oklahoma State University in 2018. Of the 483 students invited to take a survey, 224 (46.4%) students took both surveys. Pre-survey responses indicated lower levels of knowledge of tick biology compared to post-survey responses. For both pre- and post-survey respondents, “ticks can jump” and “ticks reside up in trees” received the fewest correct responses. A majority of survey respondents considered Lyme disease to be the predominant TBD in Oklahoma, although it is not established in Oklahoma. Supplemental education overcame these knowledge gaps, with the exception of knowledge of Lyme disease which was still considered to be the predominant TBD in the post-survey. Our results can be used to develop assessment tools to improve extension programs and enhance protection from TBDs.

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Challenges of Applying Conservation Agriculture in Iran: An Overview on Experts and Farmers’ Perspectives

Air Soil and Water Research ◽

10.1177/1178622120980022 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 117862212098002

Author(s):

Pouria Ataei ◽

Hassan Sadighi ◽

Thomas Aenis ◽

Mohammad Chizari ◽

Enayat Abbasi

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Research ◽

Conservation Agriculture ◽

Group Method ◽

Agriculture Education ◽

Extension Programs ◽

Conventional Agriculture ◽

Research Education ◽

Institutional Infrastructure ◽

Training Research ◽

Focus Group Method

Different countries face diverse challenges for Conservation Agriculture (CA) development. The main purpose of this study was to examine the challenges of applying CA in Iran from the perspective of experts and farmers. A focus group method was used to investigate the challenges. The research sample consisting of farmers and experts of CA in different provinces includes those 19 experts and 15 farmers. Inductive content analysis and coding (open, axial, and selective coding) were employed to analyze the farmers’ and experts’ discussions. The findings showed that the challenges of applying CA in the studied provinces could be divided into 6 general categories: institutional-infrastructure (7 concepts), economic (5 concepts), training-research (2 concepts), environmental (4 concepts), mechanization (2 concepts), and cognitive (2 concepts) challenges. The economic and institutional-infrastructure challenges were the most frequent related to applying CA. It can be concluded that to solve the challenges of applying CA, it is necessary to link various sectors of government (the Ministry of Agriculture), education and research (Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization), and industry together. But farmers themselves are also a major contributor to meet the challenges of CA development through participation in planning CA project and training-extension programs. Therefore, farmers’ communities should also pave the way for a transition from conventional agriculture to CA with their participation.

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Innovative Extension Methods in the U.S. to Promote Irrigation Water Management

Transactions of the ASABE ◽

10.13031/trans.13929 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (5) ◽

pp. 1549-1558

Author(s):

Daran R. Rudnick ◽

Matt Stockton ◽

Saleh Taghvaeian ◽

Jason Warren ◽

Michael D. Dukes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Experiential Learning ◽

Best Management Practices ◽

Irrigation Water ◽

Management Practices ◽

New Technology ◽

List Type ◽

Extension Programs ◽

Irrigation Water Management ◽

Primary Means

HIGHLIGHTSUniversity extension has been playing a larger role, serving a larger number of irrigated farms.Extension programs in irrigation water management (IWM) have been transitioning away from lectures and field tours as the primary means of knowledge transfer.New IWM programs focus on experiential learning, development of practitioner networks, and industry participation.Abstract. Promotion and adoption of irrigation water management (IWM) technology, tools, and best management practices are important as water availability concerns are addressed. Traditional extension programs have relied on lecture presentations, field tours, fact sheets, and on-station demonstrations to promote IWM practices and tools. However, these platforms tend not to provide the experience and opportunity for growers to identify and become comfortable with innovative solutions, such as new technology. To address these challenges and to appeal to an ever-changing client base, innovative and locally relevant extension and outreach programs have been devised to engage and educate growers. This article describes some of these programs that extend beyond previous traditional programs to connect growers with IWM. Keywords: Demonstrations, Experiential learning, Grower competition, Outreach, Practitioner networks.

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Rationale for Public Funding of Agricultural Extension Programs

Journal of Agricultural & Food Information ◽

10.1300/j108v03n04_02 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 3-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Claude F. Bennett

Keyword(s):

Public Funding ◽

Agricultural Extension ◽

Extension Programs ◽

Agricultural Extension Programs

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Agricultural Extension and the Campaign to Assimilate the Native Americans of Wisconsin, 1914–1932

The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era ◽

10.1017/s1537781400004229 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 473-502 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Angela Firkus

Keyword(s):

Native Americans ◽

Progressive Era ◽

Social Economic ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Agricultural Extension ◽

Intensive Agriculture ◽

Extension Programs ◽

Government Services ◽

Agricultural Extension Service ◽

Kinship Ties

Congress founded the Agricultural Extension Service (AES) in the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 to disseminate agricultural research to individual farmers. In some states the AES also worked to encourage Native Americans to adopt sedentary intensive agriculture and all aspects of assimilation connected with that occupation. J. F. Wojta, AES administrator in Wisconsin from 1914 to 1940, took a deep interest in Indian farmers and used the power and resources of his office to instruct Native Americans. Ho-Chunks, Menominees, Ojibwes, and Oneidas in Wisconsin adopted or rejected these social, economic, and political assimilation efforts during the Progressive Era according to their own circumstances and goals. The experience of Wisconsin tribes with the state's agricultural extension programs illustrates different ways that Native peoples tried to benefit from modern government services while maintaining their own culture and kinship ties.

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