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Browsing ThinkTech by Department "Agricultural Education and Communications"
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Item A Case Study Using Q Methodology to Explore the Attitudinal Orientation of High Plains Sorghum Producers Toward Sustainable Agricultural Practices(2023-05) Erramouspe, Haleigh; Kennedy, Lindsay; Doerfert, David; Hill, NellieIn September 2022, National Sorghum Producers (NSP) was awarded a $65 million grant from the USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program to finance a pilot project focused on implementing climate-smart practices on sorghum acreage. NSP was then tasked with developing a strategic and comprehensive communications plan to disseminate information about this program and persuade producers to participate. The purpose of this study was to utilize Q Methodology and the Elaboration Likelihood Model to explore the attitudinal orientation of sorghum producers toward agricultural sustainability and evaluate best practices for message delivery. An online survey was distributed to sorghum producers in the High Plains through which information was gathered regarding agricultural sustainability perspectives, current levels of implementation of sustainable agricultural practices, and willingness to adopt new sustainable agricultural practices. Results showed that sorghum producers fell into one of three categories of attitudinal orientation: A) producers concerned about the profitability of implementing sustainable agricultural practices with low levels of current implementation and willingness to adopt new practices, B) producers invested in the long-term sustainability and productivity of their farmland with high levels of current implementation and willingness to adopt new practices, and C) producers despite holding strong beliefs that sustainability was necessary to maintain the productively of their property and having high levels of current implementation and willingness to adopt new practices, also expressed strong concerns about the financial viability of adopting sustainable agricultural practices. Implications from this study reveal a need for NSP to develop messaging about the connection between profitability and agricultural sustainability and financial risk mitigation into all communications regarding program participation.Item A Cut Above: A Qualitative Analysis of the Development and Implementation of the “More to Meat” Campaign in Australia(2023-12) Ryder, D'arcy A.; Meyers, Courtney; Fischer, Laura; Irlbeck, Erica; Gibson, CourtneyThis study explored the motivations and effectiveness of the “More to Meat” campaign, an agricultural campaign focused on the red meat processing industry in Australia, from the perspective of different stakeholder groups. Utilizing qualitative methods, semi-structured interviews were conducted with several participants. Participants were sought through purposive and snowball sampling. Four stakeholder groups were able to be interviewed. Participants were asked questions about their understanding of why the campaign was created, what their perspectives were on the campaign, and how successful the campaign had been in achieving its goals. Results showed that the campaign was deemed successful by each stakeholder group, with emphasis placed on ensuring the continuity of the campaign into the future. Participants expressed their opinions on the success of the campaign through sharing stories of those working within the industry and how this creates transparency and trust for the industry with consumers and the public. Support for the campaign was positive, with areas for improvement highlighted by each group. Ensuring transparent efforts by the industry to tell their story was highlighted as a method to increase knowledge and awareness of the Australian red meat industry. The researcher recommends a content analysis, or framing analysis, of the campaign to assess messaging and provide more consumer research to inform the campaign moving forward. Future research should include other stakeholders that were involved in the campaign, including the public that live in regional areas in Australia that have a red meat processor, to ensure that all perspectives are included.Item A Phenomenological Investigation of Trust and Transparency Among Agricultural Influencers on Instagram(2022-12) Shank, Shelby E.; Headrick, Jason; Doerfert, David; Fischer, LauraThis phenomenological study explored how agricultural influencers on Instagram are communicating the portrayal of transparency on social medias. This study utilized semi-structured qualitative interviews. Interviews were conducted with agricultural influencers on Instagram though purposive and snowball sampling. Interview participants share a common phenomenon of a background in agriculture as it relates to their presence on social medias. Results revealed the motivations of agricultural influencers to post about agriculture on Instagram, how they define transparency and agricultural transparency, as well as how they are being transparent on Instagram. Participants placed great emphasis on their motivations to share their stories in agriculture on social medias to communicate with individuals that related in agriculture or are outside of the industry. Additionally, agricultural influencers are motivated to bridging the knowledge gap between producers and consumers. To be transparent, agricultural influencers are authentic and honest online because their responses indicated they do not want their Instagram posts to be taken out of context and be understood correctly, as well as develop an open conversation with those who are curious about agriculture. Results indicated agricultural influencers as opinion leaders, in support with their motivations and perceptions of transparency. The researcher recommends a set definition of agricultural transparency, as well as the development of advocacy resources available to easily communicate agricultural information with consumers. Future research is also recommended in examining agriculture influencers in specific niches of agriculture, as well as agricultural transparency of agricultural influencers from the consumers perspective.Item A Phenomenological Study of How Leaders Influenced the Career Choice of Pre-service Agricultural Education Teachers(2023-08) Stone, Cele; Ritz, Rudy; Headrick, Jason; Irlbeck, Erica; Fraze, StevenThis phenomenological study explored the career selection process of 13 agricultural education pre-service teachers from Texas Tech University. These students were purposefully selected to participate in this study based on their major, certification, and future plans to become school based agricultural educators (SBAE). The study used a qualitative research design, adopting a postmodern humanistic paradigm and a phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences, behaviors, motivations, and the impact of certain leaders which influenced the thirteen students’ choice to become agricultural educators. Agricultural education is a discipline encompassing a wide range of topics related to agriculture, food production, and natural resources management. The NAAE website states that agricultural education “prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber, and natural resources systems.” Agricultural education teachers play a critical role in preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders and professionals hence the purpose and aim of this study. The study is relevant, as understanding career choice in emerging teachers and the role their experiences played in the decision process is a step on the path of addressing teacher shortages and teacher retention in the field of SBAE. Data for this study were collected using semi-structured interviews and observations. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data collected allowing for the reduction of the large dataset into smaller, more meaningful themes, increasing the rigor of the study through its transparent structure, which facilitated the coding procedures. An inductive coding method was utilized without a pre-existing codebook or set of themes. All codes were developed based on the data provided in the interview transcripts, rather than relying on pre-existing theories or categories. This inductive coding approach enabled the capture of novel findings that were not initially anticipated, provided flexibility during the coding process by not adhering to a specific theoretical framework, and enhanced the validity and transparency of the study findings by minimizing biases and assumptions. Thematic analysis of respondent interviews resulted in three compelling themes: (1) schooling experience as a catalyst to create teachers; (2) intrinsic motivation and intent to teach; and (3) perceived limitations of the teaching profession. However, an overarching theme emerged upon analysis of the data. All 13 respondents reported the influence of leaders on career choice. Overall, the results of the study support transformational leadership as a catalyst for change.Item An Analysis of Perceptions and Engagement in Distance Delivered Courses by College of Agriculture Students(2023-08) Anderson, Caitlin; David Lawver,; Burris, Scott; Ritz, RudyIn March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a nationwide shutdown that would result in the US education system changing course delivery methods. As a result, distance education is exponentially rising and is becoming a critical component for fulfilling requirements in a higher education degree. However, in considering the increase in enrollment of distance education learners, previous research has tended to disregard focus on examining the quality of online courses and how they determine techniques and methodology that engage student learning to offer effective distance learning environments. This study examined distance education students' perception of support from instructors' technological and pedagogical methods for their degree programs. The findings demonstrated the integral role of specific technological tools. Furthermore, the relationship between students' self-reported course grades and satisfaction with their distance education experience was also examined. Notably, it was found that students who reported higher grades generally expressed higher satisfaction levels, emphasizing the notion that effective learning processes and outcomes are closely related to student satisfaction.Item An assessment of retention, student experiences, and student success in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University(2011-08) Dudley, Lori R.; Akers, Cindy; Irlbeck, Erica; Fraze, StevenStudent retention is an issue for every institution of higher education. It is more and more important for universities to see undergraduate students complete bachelor’s degrees as college dropout rates continue to increase and financial support is decreasing (Tinto, 1993). Tinto stated 1.5 million out of 2.4 entering undergraduates will drop out before receiving a bachelor’s degree. Tinto’s Departure Theory (1993) was used as framework for this study. This model describes student departure over a longitudinal period and the decision process involved. The key factors from Tinto’s model used in this study were academic performance, faculty/staff interactions, and peer group interactions. These factors are in the middle of the decision process and are critical to retaining students. Over one million students who leave college will never complete any type of degree program (Tinto, 1993). Students departing from universities prior to completing a degree limit their potential career opportunities as well as costs universities in lost revenue (DeBerard, Spielmans, & Julka, 2004). This study assessed students’ experiences, academic success, and use of retention programs at Texas Tech University College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. By identifying students who are at risk of dropping out or having academic difficulties, CASNR can increase student success, student experiences, retention rates, maintain retention programs for students who are struggling, and develop additional programming that may come out of this study. This study concluded that a program is needed multiple times throughout an academic year to bring all the CASNR departments together. Faculty advising should continue based on the positive response by interview participants. Some of the current retention programs had positive comments and should be continued for future incoming CASNR students. This study also found that students need some guidance on degree program choices during their freshman year.Item Effects of computer animated instruction upon cognition of undergraduates in an agricultural power technology course(Texas Tech University, 2002-12) McGregor, Kyle W.The utilization of visual elaboration has been a key component of the educational process for instmctors of agricultural power technology. Traditionally, still illustration and representatives of real equipment (realia) have been utilized to teach the hidden theoretical concepts that comprise the most basic operational processes of the internal combustion engine and its accompanying systems. Exponential technology advancement has allowed the development of a new mode of visual elaboration in the form of highquality computer generated animation. This dissertation, which utilized the dual coding theory as a theoretical framework, is the first of its kind to compare the use of traditional visual elaboration in agricultural power technology with that of the traditional methods and the added component of computer-generated animation. Computer-generated animations are most effective when used with topics that are abstract, vague, hidden or too fast or slow to view. When applied to operational theory of common internal combustion engines, animation is a natural fit. Animation must also be utilized with suitable content and an appropriate learner in order to be effective. Animations are beneficial when compared to still illustration and realia because they offer the benefit of motion and trajectory. The study sought to identify any significant benefits that would result from the addition of animation to an agricultural power technology lesson.Item Examining Barriers to Implementing Web-Based Technologies in Texas Secondary Agricultural Education Classrooms: A Modified Delphi Study(2022-12) Lucia, Lisa; Rayfield, John; Brashears, Todd; Ritz, RudyThe purpose of this study was to explore and describe the perceived barriers to implementing web-based technologies in secondary agricultural education. Constantly evolving technology necessitates frequently updated research. This study addressed a gap in the literature spanning a period which included the global coronavirus pandemic. Teachers’ attitudes were examined using the Teachers' Attitudes Toward Information Technology (TAT v. 2.0), and perceived barriers that may hinder the implementation and use of web-based technologies in agricultural education classrooms were identified using a modified Delphi method. The motivation behind this exploration and the in-depth description yielded by this study was to provide information for future research and to ultimately eliminate any barriers to using web-based technologies in secondary agricultural classrooms. This study sampled agricultural science teachers in Texas serving on the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas (ATAT) Board of Directors the spring semester of the 2021-2022 school year. Thirteen ATAT board members made up the panel of experts and identified five main barriers to implementing web-based technologies in secondary agricultural education, three of which were unique to this study. Teachers participated in three rounds of data collection which resulted in consensus of agreement on 10 items. Descriptive statistics were used to quantitatively analyze the data. The findings of this study ultimately revealed secondary agricultural science teachers have a favorable attitude toward the use of the World Wide Web in their teaching practices. Agricultural science teachers think web-based technologies are beneficial to student learning and enjoy using them. However, student use of web-based technologies for things other than learning, availability of web-based technologies, hinderance of hands-on application for students, access in rural areas, and faculty age are a cause of concern.Item Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on Food Desert and Food Swamp Twitter Discourse: An Exploration of Engagement-Driven Selective Sampling(2023-08) Ford, Hannah; Meyers, Courtney; Burris, Scott; Dey Amin, Modhurima; Badruddoza, Syed; Rice, RichOne out of every 10 homes experienced food insecurity at some point in 2021, defined as inadequate access to food. The COVID-19 pandemic globally increased the risk of food insecurity, and Twitter provides a timely way for people to express their personal viewpoints. This study paired the medium of social media online discourse on Twitter with the topic of food insecurity by searching for social media posts that mention the two locational reporting categories of food insecurity: food deserts, defined as poor access to affordable, healthy produce, and food swamps, defined similarly, with emphasized access to cheap, fast-food choices. This study provides additional understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on food insecurity and the conversations that surround the topic, as well as how to utilize big data analysis to analyze Twitter discourse on the platform more efficiently. The purpose of this study was to better understand food desert and food swamp Twitter discourse through big data analysis and explore the impact opinion leaders and the COVID-19 pandemic had on online public Twitter conversations. Using total population census data and quantitative content analysis, I also sought to see the impact of selective sampling on the census data set. Results found few studies on agricultural education and communication-based research studies implementing Twitter API for food insecurity discourse, and none containing census data sets. The COVID-19 timeline was found to have an impact on the engagement of food desert and food swamp tweets, as well as the inclusion of combative language. The inclusion of hashtags, media, user verification, and combative language all had additional impacts to tweet engagement. Engagement-driven selective sampling was found to impact the frequency of tweet characteristics in the data sets. More research is needed to support the findings of this study, and the full census data sets are available in the appendices of this study to support further research on food swamp and food desert discourse online. Additional research is needed on the justification and communication theory behind engagement-driven selective sampling.Item Experimental Evidence on Public Attitudes Toward Genetically Modified Organisms Through Message Presentation Type and Source of Message(2023-12) Lee, Pin-Hsueh; Boren-Alpizar, Amy; Fischer, Laura; Lawver, David; Brashears, ToddThe literature on science communication highlights the challenges scientists face when attempting to make their information relevant and meaningful to the audience. These challenges have prompted numerous investigations aimed at identifying effective ways to present scientific information visually to engage the general public. This study aims to examine how different genetically modified organism [GMO] message presentation types and sources of messages influence the public’s attitudes toward GMOs. Specifically, the research seeks to understand whether presenting information in text alone or with relevant GMO images can impact how the audience perceives and responds to the issue. Additionally, the study examines whether trust in environmental benefits act as a covariate in influencing consumers’ attitudes toward GMOs. A literature review on visual elements, along with research hypotheses and questions is outlined. An experiment is conducted in which participants are exposed to various control and treatment groups including textual, visual, and combined formats on GMO-related topics. Finally, the findings, implications, limitations, and recommendations of this experimental research are discussed.Item Exploration of Personal and Institutional Factors that Influence Application for Distance Delivered Programs in Agricultural Communications(2017-05) Lohse, Sondra; Irlbeck, Erica; Burris, Scott; Doerfert, DavidThe purpose of this study was to understand the factors for consideration when pursuing a master’s degree in agricultural communications. The goal was to understand these influences, factors, and demands so that program administrators can tailor marketing strategies to the target audience. The Texas Tech University Agricultural Education and Communications Department launched the Master of Science in Agricultural Communications (distance delivered) in the 2016 spring semester. This research will assist the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications at Texas Tech develop and implement specific marketing ideas that enable non-traditional or non-resident students to enroll in a distance education program that is better suited to their unique needs. Strategic marketing includes knowing what the customer is seeking (Tracy, 2014). To fully understand the target audience and create services and degree programs that meet the needs of students and potential students, universities must also be strategic in their marketing efforts. To understand the marketing efforts that are most effective with a specific target audience, data should be collected and analyzed. These collection methods include conducting surveys and focus groups (Tucciarone, 2008). For this study, participants completed a survey instrument created to determine specific information. The results found the degree plan and ability to choose specific courses is the most important, followed by faculty and course factor groups.Item Exploring Factors Preventing the Popularization of Sorghum Grain for Human Consumption in the United States(2023-05) Nesbitt, Matthew E.; Irlbeck, Erica; Burris, Scott; Cummins, Glenn; Hayes, ChadSorghum is a highly significant cereal crop that has been relied upon by cultures and populations for survival throughout recorded history and is still being utilized today. However, despite its potential health benefits and environmental advantages, human consumption of sorghum and sorghum-based products remains low in the US. This research aimed to shed light on the possible reasons behind this and to explore the ideas and attitudes that prevent the full utilization of this readily available resource. The study found that most consumers had little knowledge of sorghum 43.2% (n = 290) or had never heard of it 43.2% (n = 290). However, when presented with information about sorghum's potential health benefits, consumers expressed interest in trying sorghum products. Factors such as taste, price, and convenience were important considerations for consumers when making grocery purchases. The practical implications of this research suggest that increasing consumer awareness of sorghums’ benefits and incorporating it into existing products could help to popularize its consumption in the US. The study also identified several areas for future research, including investigating consumer perceptions of sorghum and its taste, exploring the role of marketing in promoting sorghum consumption, and evaluating economic factors and how they affect consumer food purchasing habits. Overall, this research highlights the need for greater awareness concerning the potential benefits of sorghum consumption, as well as the importance of incorporating sustainable and nutritious foods into our diets. By promoting the consumption of sorghum, we can not only improve our own health, but also help to reduce the environmental impact of food production and contribute to future food security. The increased utilization and popularization of products made with sorghum would be a move toward a happier, healthier, and more sustainable future for society as a whole.Item Factors influencing recruitment, retention, and job placement in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University(2006-12) Bobbitt, Rachel Krittenbrink; Davis, Chad S.; Green, Cary J.; Akers, CindyThe need to produce qualified graduates in the food, agriculture and natural resources fields is becoming increasingly important. Demand for employees in these areas can be met by traditional agricultural groups, as well as by individuals from urban areas and minority groups. Targeting recruitment strategies will help ensure colleges of agriculture will produce graduates to fill available positions in the food, agricultural and natural resources systems. This study explored the factors influencing the college choice of students, specifically minority and non-traditional agriculture students, entering the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University during the fall of 2006. This study found that factors related to college recruitment strategies, institutional characteristics and selected individuals had an influence on college choice. Overall, minority and non-traditional agriculture students had a similar set of influences to white students. However, both minority students and non-traditional agriculture students in this study used personalized conversations more frequently and were more influenced by their friends. In addition, both groups were more concerned with the availability of financial aid and began their college search earlier than white students and traditional agriculture students.Item Factors influencing the perceived efficacy of communicating agricultural messages through social media(2010-08) Shultz, Alyx M.; Akers, Cindy; Brashears, Michael Todd; Burris, Scott; Duncan, SusanThe use of social media and specifically Twitter is a growing trend within agricultural communications. Social media allows individuals to publish content in real-time for little to no cost. This research examined the factors that lead to the perception of successful communication through Twitter. Two populations were studied, agricultural communicators who were members of 1 or more of 5 professional organizations, and members of the American Quarter Horse Association, an agriculturally-based organization that uses Twitter to communicate with members. Researchers collected data on use of Twitter, number of Tweets sent and received, number of followers and following relationships, age, time spent per day using Twitter, and use of auxiliary means to access information transmitted via Twitter. This auxiliary variable included the use of subject keywords, called hashtags, within messages, and the use of search engines to access tweets of interest. These seven variables were then regressed upon on perceived efficacy to send messages and perceived efficacy to receive messages to make two mathematical models to predict perceived efficacy of Twitter communications. The model for sending efficacy had an adjusted R2 of .215. The model for efficacy of Twitter in receiving messages had an adjusted R2 of .216. Variables that contributed the most to the models were the number of followers, number following, and the use of auxiliary means to access information. Researchers proposed a graphical model to represent communication within Twitter.Item Is today's social technology impacting written communications? A single case examination of an introduction to agricultural education writing assignment(2015-05) Daggs, Ashley; Ulmer, Jonathan; Doerfert, David; Irlbeck, EricaWith increasing societal reliance upon social technology and technological advances, it is critical for communicators as well as educators to understand the impact that social technology use may have on the quality of written communications. While multiple researchers (Irlbeck & Akers, 2009; Morgan, 2010; Morgan, 2012; Sprecker & Rudd, 1997; and Terry et al., 1994) argue that changes in the quality of written communication skills are of little to no value in formal educational settings and decrease student ability to perform in the workplace, researchers like Doerfert and Miller (2006) argue that degree programs and skills must change to accommodate technological advances in communications. Due to the potential impact of social technology use on the quality of students' written communication skill sets, the purpose of this study was to understand the impact of technology use, specifically text messaging and social media, upon the written communication skills of Introduction to Agricultural Education students. Data was collected from the second week of November 2014 to the end of November 2014. Negative relationships were indicated between the quality of written communication skills and six variables at a moderate or substantial level. Such findings should assist educators in implementing new practices and pedagogy beneficial to the development of high quality written communication skill sets.Item Preparedness and Response to the 2021 Winter Storm Uri by Texas Dairy Farmers(2023-08) Okolo, Emmanuel C.; Doerfert, David; Hudson, Darren; Pinero, Juan M.The care and productivity of dairy cattle can be negatively impacted by severe natural disasters such as winter storms, drought, flood, tornado, blizzards etc. necessitating a preparedness strategy. The purpose of this study was to better understand the crisis preparedness and response of Texas dairy farmers as impacted by 2021 winter storm Uri in Texas. The study design was phenomenological with interviews using an open-ended semi-structured questionnaire chosen as the appropriate data collection method for eliciting their lived experience and impact from the 2021 winter storm Uri. A total of eight commercial dairy farmers who have been active in the last ten years participated in this study. The resulting data were analyzed using general inductive analysis which aided in understanding meaningful conceptual information through the development of summary themes and categories. Collectively, the participants are posed with the uncertainty challenges on the frequency and severity of the natural disasters including impacts on farm labor, power, and the ability of processing plants to receive their milk as they face crises of their own during such weather events. The participants relied on their local network of farmers and weather information before and during the event but often felt neglected in governmental resources during and following the crisis event. Further research is of necessity to investigate how this work translates to a wider range of dairy farmers and the role of local government and other dairy industry stakeholders in the implementation, and practices of natural of disaster management plans in Texas dairy farms.Item Strategies Behind the Communications: An Analysis of Social Media Platforms and Online Communication Channels Utilized by Agricultural Organizations in Texas(2023-05) Ellison, Reagan; Irlbeck, Erica; Fischer, Laura; Gibson, CourtneyThere is very limited literature surrounding agricultural organizations in today’s society, specifically communication efforts regarding online and social media. This mixed methods study sought to explore how agricultural organizations in Texas, who are current members of the Texas Agriculture Council (n = 63), utilized online communication tools to communicate with members and nonmembers. Ledingham & Bruning’s (1998) Organizational-Public Relations Theory was used to create the foundation of this study based on the principle that the agricultural organizations create and maintain relationships with its publics through frequent and consistent communication. A quantitative communications audit was conducted to determine what platforms and online channels the agricultural organizations were currently using and how often. Based on the findings of the audit, qualitative interviews were conducted to gain further insight into the communication directors’ strategies regarding the organization’s communication efforts. Results from phase one indicated that Facebook and websites were the most popular forms of communication between organizations and the public. The eight interviews from phase two provided valuable insight into the strategies and perceptions of the communication directors. The findings showed that while agricultural organizations recognize the value of being present online and on social media, these communication efforts often get pushed down the priority list. There is immense opportunity for researchers, agricultural organizations communication directors, and social media strategist to improve communication online between agricultural organizations and their key publics.Item Texas agricultural producers' perceptions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)(2011-05) Spraberry, Jennifer L.; Brashears, Michael Todd; Ulmer, Jonathan; Irlbeck, EricaThe North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a trade agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico that encompasses the agricultural industry in Texas. However, research concerning Texas farmers and ranchers opinions and knowledge of the trade agreement was not readily available. Therefore, it was vital to explore these characteristics. In order to determine Texas farmers and ranchers perceived impacts of NAFTA on their agricultural operation, a descriptive study was performed. An instrument was developed and the data collection process occurred during the months of July through September 2010 via mail survey; 184 instruments were returned. Findings of the study included Texas farmers and ranchers perceived impacts of NAFTA on their agricultural operation. The general consensus was Texas farmers and ranchers were not particularly in favor of the trade agreement but felt it had benefited their agricultural operation in some regard. Texas farmers and ranchers seemed to know little about the trade agreement, specifically direct legislative variables. Having obtained this knowledge, the researchers composed recommendations for future research. Some of these recommendations include developing educational materials for Texas farmers and ranchers about public policy issues. Agricultural leaders should work with public policy officials, agricultural leaders, and officials to disseminate information about NAFTA. Collaboration efforts should be made between state officials and media sources to educate Texas producers about trade agreements. This information should be delivered to Texas farmers and ranchers through their preferred media sources: farm magazines, radio, and television. Contact should be made with special interest groups in order to disburse information about NAFTA; workshops at special interest trade shows should be implemented as well.Item Texas Agriscience Teacher Confidence Levels to Teach Advanced Animal Science for Science Credit(2011-08) Chumbley, Steven; Ritz, Rudy; Burris, Scott; Fraze, Steven; Hartmeister, FredThe primary purpose of this study was to determine the confidence level of Texas agricultural science teachers offering science credit in the advanced animal science classes and determine teachers’ levels of confidence in teaching the required curriculum for that course. The study also sought to provide demographic data on the teachers, student enrollment and programs that are offering the science credit in their courses with questions on school size, number of sections being offered and the number of students in these classes, the grade level of the students in the class and if the class will be offered again. The teaching of such courses is a recently new development and as such, it is important to describe what types of programs are providing this educational opportunity to their students. In Texas there were 51 (N= 51) teachers identified as teaching the advanced animal science course. Of those teachers, 44 (n= 44) responded to the survey instrument. This resulted in an 86% response rate. This quantitative study utilized a descriptive-correlational research design. The researcher developed instrument was a 48 item instrument consisting of nominal and ordinal scales of measurement that asked the participant to indicate a level of confidence; containing questions based on a Likert-type scale. Participant answers were constructed around the 15 TEKS implemented by the state board of education on August 15, 2010. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and point-biserial coefficients were used to measure relationships between teacher confidence levels and demographic characteristics. Most participants were younger teachers in the age range of 21-30 years with one to five years experience. The majority of teachers in the study did not have the secondary science teacher certification. The study included programs of all sizes (1A to 5A) with average class sizes of 21-25 students. Teachers felt the least confident to teach TEKS 130.7c (2): The student uses scientific methods and equipment during field and laboratory investigations. Teachers felt the most confident teaching TEKS 130.7 (c) 15: The student develops an advanced supervised agriculture experience program as it relates to agriculture, food, and natural resources. There were medium relationships found between teacher confidence levels prior to and after teaching the course. The findings suggest that there are some relationships between teachers’ years of experience, school size and participant age to their confidence levels in integrating science in the advanced animal science course.Item The inclusion and content of an international agriculture education course at the post secondary level: A Delphi study(2010-05) Kingery, Thomas W.; Brashears, Michael Todd; Briers, Gary; Fraze, Steven; Elbert, ChandaThe purpose of this study was to determine the inclusion and content of an international agricultural education course at the post-secondary level by answering the following research questions: What disciplines of agriculture should be included in an international agricultural education course at the university level?; What competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) in international agriculture are needed by students and should be developed in a course in international agricultural education at the university level?; and How should an international agricultural education class be used in multiple degree programs at the university level?. A three round Delphi procedure was used to solicit expert opinions regarding each of the research questions. The results revealed the most significant disciplines as: extension and education, philosophy, policy, models, program planning, public and private systems, & evaluation; role of agriculture in a developing nation’s economy; social, economic, political issues; and cross cultural communication. The competencies that should be developed identified by the panel were: skills working with other cultures; roles of change agents; environmental, developmental, conservation, sustainability, natural resources issues; extension models; understanding non-governmental organizations; knowledge of basic agriculture; ability to listen, plan and evaluate. The panel suggested the use of such a class in a multiple degree program should be a requirement for a minor in international agriculture. The study found that items not included among the panel consensus were items on practical or technical production practices. Further studies should be conducted to determine if the area of expertise of the panelists focused more on extension since they were in fact more familiar with extension techniques than any other areas, their experiences were based more on educational typology than practical and technical systems, or their placement in those professional positions did not allow them to focus on the skills and trades that were already known to flourish in their geographical region. One recommendation is to develop a more diverse panel of experts that cover more global territory to gain further insight into the research questions. A more diverse panel may bring more variation to the results. A deeper search into the background and identity of each panel member may also be necessary to discover the uniqueness of each expert in gaining diversified responses. If a professional in international agricultural education was in a non-native country and answered the instrumentation questions based on their work in that environment, that may be different than answering the questions based on their activity in a native country.