4-H Summer of STEM is a workforce readiness program for high school youth. The goals of the program are to increase students’ interest in STEM careers, improve college and workforce readiness, and connect youth to businesses and industries in the local community. Selected youth receive hands-on development of workforce readiness skills, are paired with a STEM mentor for job shadowing, and participate in college campus visits. Preliminary findings show that participants reported having a positive relationship between participation in 4-H youth development programs and career skills. This article introduces the 4-H Summer of STEM and offers suggestions for implementation.
{"title":"4-H Summer of STEM: A Practical Approach to Increasing Workforce Readiness","authors":"Vernelle Mitchell-Hawkins, J. Mellon","doi":"10.34068/joe.60.04.05","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.04.05","url":null,"abstract":"4-H Summer of STEM is a workforce readiness program for high school youth. The goals of the program are to increase students’ interest in STEM careers, improve college and workforce readiness, and connect youth to businesses and industries in the local community. Selected youth receive hands-on development of workforce readiness skills, are paired with a STEM mentor for job shadowing, and participate in college campus visits. Preliminary findings show that participants reported having a positive relationship between participation in 4-H youth development programs and career skills. This article introduces the 4-H Summer of STEM and offers suggestions for implementation.","PeriodicalId":47627,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF EXTENSION","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47554348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Niewolny, E. Bendfeldt, J. Latimer, L. MacAuley
Community, local, and regional food systems (CLRFS) programming reflects important issues and priorities that intersect with Extension and the sustainability of our food system. CLRFS programming in Extension, however, is still developing slowly while food movements grow nationally. This article describes a CLRFS model and complementary process for conducting listening sessions with Extension professionals and community leaders to develop and enhance CLRFS programming to address critical food system needs. A recommendation for Cooperative Extension is that such a tool may aid CLRFS program potential as an integrated “food, farm, and health” approach for community-level application.
{"title":"Model of Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems Extension Programming","authors":"K. Niewolny, E. Bendfeldt, J. Latimer, L. MacAuley","doi":"10.34068/joe.60.04.10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.04.10","url":null,"abstract":"Community, local, and regional food systems (CLRFS) programming reflects important issues and priorities that intersect with Extension and the sustainability of our food system. CLRFS programming in Extension, however, is still developing slowly while food movements grow nationally. This article describes a CLRFS model and complementary process for conducting listening sessions with Extension professionals and community leaders to develop and enhance CLRFS programming to address critical food system needs. A recommendation for Cooperative Extension is that such a tool may aid CLRFS program potential as an integrated “food, farm, and health” approach for community-level application.","PeriodicalId":47627,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF EXTENSION","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41559942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Misconceptions regarding agricultural careers are exacerbated by increasing urbanization and are one of many differences in perspective between urban and rural communities. The One Georgia 4-H Urban-Rural Experience addresses this divide through a statewide youth exchange focusing on the agricultural sector. The program includes a multifaceted look at agricultural careers through visits to urban and rural communities. Focus group evaluations revealed the impact on youth through exposure to new careers, increased understanding of the diversity of agriculture, awareness of the interconnected nature of urban and rural communities, and a sense of belonging to a diverse group of youth.
{"title":"Connecting Diverse Communities through a 4-H Urban-Rural Experience","authors":"Laurie Murrah-Hanson, Brittani Lee, Pamela Bloch","doi":"10.34068/joe.60.04.08","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.04.08","url":null,"abstract":"Misconceptions regarding agricultural careers are exacerbated by increasing urbanization and are one of many differences in perspective between urban and rural communities. The One Georgia 4-H Urban-Rural Experience addresses this divide through a statewide youth exchange focusing on the agricultural sector. The program includes a multifaceted look at agricultural careers through visits to urban and rural communities. Focus group evaluations revealed the impact on youth through exposure to new careers, increased understanding of the diversity of agriculture, awareness of the interconnected nature of urban and rural communities, and a sense of belonging to a diverse group of youth.","PeriodicalId":47627,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF EXTENSION","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49160365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jason Turner, R. Craig, Talisha Valdez, Halee Prather, Zane Webster, Sara Marta, Mindy Turner
Under COVID-19 public health order constraints, Extension professionals used readily available technology (e.g., Google Forms, Zoom, Facebook Live, and QuizBowl Pro) to conduct a traditional 4-H quiz bowl contest entirely in a virtual setting as an innovative means of offering positive youth development in a structured environment when most New Mexicans were homebound and unable to travel. Participation in the virtual contest was substantially greater than similar in-person contests in the preceding five-year period, and youth reported an increase in equine knowledge as well as life skill development.
{"title":"New Mexico 4-H Online Horse Bowl Tournament","authors":"Jason Turner, R. Craig, Talisha Valdez, Halee Prather, Zane Webster, Sara Marta, Mindy Turner","doi":"10.34068/joe.60.04.11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.04.11","url":null,"abstract":"Under COVID-19 public health order constraints, Extension professionals used readily available technology (e.g., Google Forms, Zoom, Facebook Live, and QuizBowl Pro) to conduct a traditional 4-H quiz bowl contest entirely in a virtual setting as an innovative means of offering positive youth development in a structured environment when most New Mexicans were homebound and unable to travel. Participation in the virtual contest was substantially greater than similar in-person contests in the preceding five-year period, and youth reported an increase in equine knowledge as well as life skill development.","PeriodicalId":47627,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF EXTENSION","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46713631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Heehyul E Moon, Sunshine M. Rote, Allison M. Kacmar, A. Kostelic, Bari Lewis
As Americans live longer, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias will increase. Caregivers are critical to the care and life quality of people with dementia. Yet, dementia caregivers are at increased risk for health issues, social isolation, and financial challenges. To help educators with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service work with their local Alzheimer’s Association and the University of Louisville to better support dementia families, we explored caregiver needs and service utilization using an online survey. Our findings highlighted the need for counseling/support, care management skills, resource education, self-care strategies, and legal services. Extension Service Educators can use this information to inform program development and support dementia families.
{"title":"An Exploration of Service Needs and Preferences of Dementia Caregivers in Kentucky","authors":"Heehyul E Moon, Sunshine M. Rote, Allison M. Kacmar, A. Kostelic, Bari Lewis","doi":"10.34068/joe.60.04.06","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.04.06","url":null,"abstract":"As Americans live longer, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias will increase. Caregivers are critical to the care and life quality of people with dementia. Yet, dementia caregivers are at increased risk for health issues, social isolation, and financial challenges. To help educators with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service work with their local Alzheimer’s Association and the University of Louisville to better support dementia families, we explored caregiver needs and service utilization using an online survey. Our findings highlighted the need for counseling/support, care management skills, resource education, self-care strategies, and legal services. Extension Service Educators can use this information to inform program development and support dementia families.","PeriodicalId":47627,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF EXTENSION","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48118087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D. Brandon, Ciji Griffin, Darlene Minniefield, Danielle Rudolph, Donna Gullatte, Nkenge Hyter, Pamela J. Irby, Juana Christian, Cynthia Whittaker
Mandates that require social distancing and sheltering-in-place to stop the spread of the coronavirus have worsened an already concerning public health issue for older adults –social isolation and loneliness. Alabama Extension System at Alabama A&M University developed a program focused on helping older adults connect with family and friends. A descriptive study of 37 older adults indicated that their knowledge, ability, and comfort with implementing Zoom sessions increased significantly after completing the program. Findings show the potential use of the Zoom for Seniors program in preventing social isolation or loneliness among older adults.
{"title":"Extension’s use of Zoom to Address a Public Health Risk Among Older Adults","authors":"D. Brandon, Ciji Griffin, Darlene Minniefield, Danielle Rudolph, Donna Gullatte, Nkenge Hyter, Pamela J. Irby, Juana Christian, Cynthia Whittaker","doi":"10.34068/joe.60.04.02","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.04.02","url":null,"abstract":"Mandates that require social distancing and sheltering-in-place to stop the spread of the coronavirus have worsened an already concerning public health issue for older adults –social isolation and loneliness. Alabama Extension System at Alabama A&M University developed a program focused on helping older adults connect with family and friends. A descriptive study of 37 older adults indicated that their knowledge, ability, and comfort with implementing Zoom sessions increased significantly after completing the program. Findings show the potential use of the Zoom for Seniors program in preventing social isolation or loneliness among older adults.","PeriodicalId":47627,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF EXTENSION","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45917758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
We compared perceived stress among 804 Extension employees during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic and again six months later. Work expectations, sleep and exercise habits were assessed. More than 46% of those responding believe work expectations are “much” or “moderately more” since the pandemic began. Nearly 60% report moderate levels of stress and 54% were sleeping less. Of those who were physically active (n=677) before the pandemic, 39% were exercising less. Because stress, sleep, and physical activity affect health, supervisors should recognize the impact the pandemic has on employees, and encourage the use of available resources to promote wellness and work/life balance.
{"title":"Stress, Sleep, and Exercise Habits Among Extension Employees During the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"J. Anding, Miquela Smith, S. Cummings","doi":"10.34068/joe.60.04.01","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.04.01","url":null,"abstract":"We compared perceived stress among 804 Extension employees during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic and again six months later. Work expectations, sleep and exercise habits were assessed. More than 46% of those responding believe work expectations are “much” or “moderately more” since the pandemic began. Nearly 60% report moderate levels of stress and 54% were sleeping less. Of those who were physically active (n=677) before the pandemic, 39% were exercising less. Because stress, sleep, and physical activity affect health, supervisors should recognize the impact the pandemic has on employees, and encourage the use of available resources to promote wellness and work/life balance.","PeriodicalId":47627,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF EXTENSION","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48288741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Linares, P. Harpainter, Kaela R Plank, G. Woodward-Lopez
To determine the effectiveness of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program- Education (SNAP-Ed) nutrition and physical activity programming in elementary schools, it is necessary to recruit socioeconomically similar comparison schools not receiving SNAP-Ed programming. We developed a flexible recruitment strategy to tailor our approach to each individual school district and site. Here we discuss the lessons learned during the 10-month recruitment period, including early outreach, emphasizing participation benefits, leveraging and building relationships, and visiting sites.
{"title":"Lessons Learned Recruiting Comparison Elementary Schools for Impact Evaluation of SNAP-Ed Interventions","authors":"A. Linares, P. Harpainter, Kaela R Plank, G. Woodward-Lopez","doi":"10.34068/joe.60.02.17","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.02.17","url":null,"abstract":"To determine the effectiveness of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program- Education (SNAP-Ed) nutrition and physical activity programming in elementary schools, it is necessary to recruit socioeconomically similar comparison schools not receiving SNAP-Ed programming. We developed a flexible recruitment strategy to tailor our approach to each individual school district and site. Here we discuss the lessons learned during the 10-month recruitment period, including early outreach, emphasizing participation benefits, leveraging and building relationships, and visiting sites.","PeriodicalId":47627,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF EXTENSION","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48310981","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Through a combination of internal and external collaborations, consumer-based energy education designed for hard-to-reach audiences was successfully delivered statewide by an interdisciplinary Extension team. Program participants representing rural residents, senior citizens, and low-income audiences demonstrated improvements in knowledge and increased intention to change their home electricity usage behaviors. This outreach work can serve as a model for other Extension services to combine interdisciplinary teams with community partnerships to reach underserved audiences statewide.
{"title":"Engaging Hard-to-Reach Audiences through Internal Interdisciplinary and External Diverse Collaborations","authors":"E. Garrett, Ashley Belle","doi":"10.34068/joe.60.02.13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.02.13","url":null,"abstract":"Through a combination of internal and external collaborations, consumer-based energy education designed for hard-to-reach audiences was successfully delivered statewide by an interdisciplinary Extension team. Program participants representing rural residents, senior citizens, and low-income audiences demonstrated improvements in knowledge and increased intention to change their home electricity usage behaviors. This outreach work can serve as a model for other Extension services to combine interdisciplinary teams with community partnerships to reach underserved audiences statewide.","PeriodicalId":47627,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF EXTENSION","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48422721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A survey of commercial nursery and Christmas tree growers was implemented online and by mail in 2018 to understand disease issues and information preferences. Overall, the majority of the respondents reported that they prefer online sources of information and many are using Extension bulletins and sources. Cultural, chemical, and weed control methods were considered extremely effective by participants and very few used biological control methods to control disease. Participants identified spruce decline, boxwood blight, and hemlock woolly adelgid as emerging disease threats, so future information to growers should focus on identification and management of these threats.
{"title":"Michigan Conifer Growers’ Perspectives on Disease Management","authors":"Emily S. Huff, M. Sakalidis","doi":"10.34068/joe.60.02.11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.02.11","url":null,"abstract":"A survey of commercial nursery and Christmas tree growers was implemented online and by mail in 2018 to understand disease issues and information preferences. Overall, the majority of the respondents reported that they prefer online sources of information and many are using Extension bulletins and sources. Cultural, chemical, and weed control methods were considered extremely effective by participants and very few used biological control methods to control disease. Participants identified spruce decline, boxwood blight, and hemlock woolly adelgid as emerging disease threats, so future information to growers should focus on identification and management of these threats.","PeriodicalId":47627,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF EXTENSION","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43412780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}