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Outreach, Extension, and Education to Disseminate Horticultural Advances

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A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Outreach, Extension, and Education".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2023) | Viewed by 12000

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Laura Warner

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Guest Editor

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, Center for Land Use Efficiency, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Interests: audience segmentation; behavior change; program evaluation; social norms; social marketing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Researchers around the world continue to generate horticultural advances to achieve a wide range of outcomes from increased labor efficiency to more precise use of water or other inputs. The benefits of these advances extend to consumers, small- and large-scale producers, residents, and other audiences. However, without appropriate outreach, extension, and education, horticultural advances will not reach their intended users. Dissemination plays a critical role in bridging the development of horticultural advances and innovations and the end use by the intended user. Contemporary nonformal educators can reach their target audiences in new and innovative ways by drawing from a range of disciplines including psychology, sociology, consumer behavior, marketing, and communications. Dissemination strategies can be especially effective when guided by formative audience research. Appropriate program evaluation is also needed to demonstrate the outcomes and impacts of dissemination activities.

A major challenge for extension, education, and outreach professionals is that much of the new and exciting work in this area is never documented and shared with practitioners who can benefit from others’ experiences. Further, educational approaches that fail are much less likely to be published.

Therefore, research articles, reviews, short notes, and opinion articles related to innovative extension, education, and outreach approaches, modern communication techniques, and program evaluation focused on disseminating horticultural technologies and practices are welcome for our current Special Issue on "Outreach, Extension, and Education to Disseminate Horticultural Advances". We encourage the submission of ongoing or completed outreach, extension, and education highlighting formative audience research, and we welcome manuscripts conveying both successful and unsuccessful outcomes.

Dr. Laura Warner
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

adoption
behavior change
education
extension
formative audience research
outreach
program evaluation

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 925 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Understanding Latinx Farmers in Pennsylvania to Meet Their Needs for Non-Formal Education

by Ilse A. Huerta-Arredondo, Elsa Sánchez and John Ewing

Horticulturae 2023, 9(5), 590; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9050590 - 16 May 2023

Viewed by 2049

Abstract

Latinx/Hispanic farmers are an underrepresented group with the largest number of farm operators in the US. However, agricultural educators have encountered challenges in identifying Latinx farmers in Pennsylvania and consequently, in meeting their needs. This study aims to contribute to improved agricultural programming by offering an exploratory overview of Latinx farmers in the Commonwealth, and to bring to light the experiences of Extension educators when working with Latinxs in the agricultural context. Qualitative research interviews were conducted with seventeen Latinxs at different stages of their farming journey, and with twelve educators with experience in agriculture programming and outreach to Latinxs. Latinx farmers discussed the characteristics, goals, challenges, and solutions of their farming operations. Educators discussed their motivations to serve Latinx farmers, the challenges they face in meeting their needs, and the implementation of targeted strategies for successful programming. Both groups discussed challenges they believe Latinx farmers face due to their ethnicity and provided recommendations to better serve the Latinx farming population. Based on the findings, agricultural educators could support Latinx farmers by developing statewide programming, including programming in Spanish, having employers allocate a percentage of educators’ responsibilities to connecting with this audience, creating a Latinx farmers’ network, partnering with organizations connected with Latinx farmers, participating in cultural competency training, and promoting stories of success. Our methodology and findings can be adapted to educators in other locations working with minority populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outreach, Extension, and Education to Disseminate Horticultural Advances)

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12 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extension Networks and Dissemination of Horticultural Advancements: Development and Validation of a Professionalization Instrument

by Kevan W. Lamm, Alexa J. Lamm, Kristin Davis, Catherine Sanders, Alyssa Powell and Jiyea Park

Horticulturae 2023, 9(2), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020245 - 11 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1274

Abstract

Horticulture is a vast scientific discipline ranging from ornamentals to consumable food, which is constantly evolving. One of primary goals of horticultural innovation is to improve consistency, and predictability, among products. Extension is one of the primary channels connecting innovations and technologies to growers. However, despite the importance of extension in the dissemination of horticultural advancements, there are no standards for the professionalization of extension networks. Therefore, there is a current gap in the ability to ensure consistency amongst extension providers through professionalization at the network level. The goal of the study was to develop and validate an extension professionalization scale to empirically measure the most critical factors associated with extension professionalization within extension networks. Methodologically, the study extends upon previous research which identified specific capacities associated with extension professionalization at the network level. Specifically, an exploratory factor analysis was undertaken to examine the latent factor structure of the previously identified items. The results of this study identified two primary factors associated with extension professionalization in networks: (a) awareness of the need for extension professionalization, and (b) the operational integration of extension professionalization activities at organizational levels. Although there is existing literature examining professionalization, there are no such instruments specifically developed within an extension context. The present study provides an original and novel tool to prepare more rigorously and consistently trained extension professionals to serve and support the horticulture industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outreach, Extension, and Education to Disseminate Horticultural Advances)

15 pages, 9138 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Program Evaluation of a Workshop on Prairie Strips for Farm Advisors: Framing the Co-Occurring Outcomes of Low Knowledge Acquisition and High Confidence

by Rachael Whitehair, Nancy Grudens-Schuck and Lisa A. Schulte

Horticulturae 2022, 8(12), 1215; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8121215 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1910

Abstract

The agricultural conservation practice of prairie strips is new and novel. Prairie strips planted in row crop fields warrants greater adoption because the application decreases erosion; protects water quality; and supports habitat for wildlife and biodiversity, including pollinators. Prairie strips are a vegetative practice composed of diverse, native, and mostly perennial species that, as a community, follow principles of ecological succession; however, they must be managed for success. Farm advisor comprehension of practice characteristics is key for adoption by producers and landowners. This article reports on a developmental evaluation of workshops intended to change farm advisor knowledge, skills, and confidence related to prairie strips management for use in consulting with farmers and landowners. The study used pre-post instruments of knowledge and skill focused on prairie species identification and age of prairie strips planing; pre-then post-end of session questions were asked in a survey to report change in knowledge, skill, and confidence, as well as farm advisor situation. Advisors reported increased confidence, but acquisition of prairie knowledge and skills resulted in flat to lower scores. The paper explores the discrepancy of lower cognitive scores (knowledge and skills) compared to higher confidence. Explanations explore the phenomena of satisficing and perceived self-efficacy to explain the differential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outreach, Extension, and Education to Disseminate Horticultural Advances)

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18 pages, 1075 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Theory of Planned Behavior-Informed Evaluation of Growers’ Intent to Use Automated Nursery Technologies

by Laura A. Warner, Alicia L. Rihn, Amy Fulcher, Anthony V. LeBude, Susan Schexnayder and Arati Joshi

Horticulturae 2022, 8(11), 1028; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8111028 - 3 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1477

Abstract

Labor scarcity and rising production costs due to increasing labor wages and benefits are key concerns among nursery growers. Automated nursery technologies are a means to address labor challenges, but they are not widely adopted. The research objective was to use the Theory of Planned Behavior to evaluate nursery growers’ intention of using automated technologies in their operations to support future educational initiatives. Using a mixed-mode survey, four technology clusters, or a grouping of connected ideas, were examined: Irrigation application, Plant transport, Plant handling, and Agrochemical application. Overall intent to adopt technologies within each cluster was neutral but slightly negative. Attitudes towards adopting automated nursery technologies and perceptions of others’ approval for adoption were positive, and perceived behavioral control and perceptions of others’ adoption were neutral. When used to predict likelihood of adoption through multiple linear regression models, there was variability in characteristics that predicted intent to adopt technologies within each cluster with attitude being the most consistent predictor across the clusters. There were both positive and negative relationships between the social norms variables and behavioral intent. Overall, social norms and attitudes appear to be among the most important characteristics in disseminating automated nursery technology adoption to address labor issues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outreach, Extension, and Education to Disseminate Horticultural Advances)

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18 pages, 2660 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adoption of Integrated Pest Management for Red Palm Weevil Control among Farmers in Saudi Arabia

by Bader Alhafi Alotaibi, Ali Ahmed, Abdullah Awad Al-Zaidi and Hazem S. Kassem

Horticulturae 2022, 8(11), 1005; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8111005 - 29 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2335

Abstract

The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, is widely considered to be highly invasive and the most damaging insect pest affecting palms in the world. Nonetheless, the prevention or significant slowing of the spread of RPW mainly relies on the application of integrated pest management (IPM) programs. This study aimed to evaluate farmers’ adoption of RPW IPM practices and examine the differences in adoption according to the farmers’ socio-economic attributes and their farm characteristics. The data were collected from 156 farmers through structured questionnaires by the Al-Kharaj governorate, Saudi Arabia. The findings showed that the farmers moderately adopted the categories of legislative control (54.77%) and cultural practices (50.44%), whereas they were showed a low-level adoption regarding the prevention, mechanical control, and chemical control categories. The cluster analysis revealed two variable farmer segments, “low adopters” and “moderate adopters”, based on the average level of adoption of the 23 IPM practices examined. The cluster of “moderate adopters” accounted for 57.1% of the samples and had a higher average adoption in terms of all the practices investigated. Significant differences (p < 0.01) were found between the two groups of farmers, corresponding to their age, education level, farm size, farming experience, number of date palm trees on the farm, off-farm income, farming activities, source of irrigation, type of irrigation, growing of the ‘Khodri’ cultivar, growing of the ‘Barhi’ cultivar, and tree spacing. The results suggest that implementing campaigns to increase public awareness of the consequences resulting from the non-adoption of IPM, enhancing the participation of date palm farmers in the area-wide IPM strategy, and improving recognition behavior by detecting RPW with digital devices are useful actions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outreach, Extension, and Education to Disseminate Horticultural Advances)

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Other

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7 pages, 472 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

Development and Evaluation of a Web Application for Attracting Bees to Your Garden

by Sandra Wilson, Heather Kalaman, Rachel Mallinger, Jennifer Marvin, Claire Lewis and Esen Momol

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010077 - 12 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1981

Abstract

An online application called BeeGardens was developed for users to quickly access over 85 bee-friendly plants that attract 12 primary bee groups and ways to incorporate these into different landscape designs. The functionality and usefulness of the app was evaluated by students enrolled in two courses: Florida Native Landscaping or Annual and Perennial Gardening, taught in different semesters. Before and after the semester, students were asked to report their perceived confidence to (1) identify bee-friendly plants, (2) identify bee pollinators, and (3) design a bee-friendly garden, using a Likert scale with responses ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Means of pre- and post-test self-reported responses showed a significant confidence gain upon using the BeeGardens online application in both courses. Students in Annual and Perennial Gardening and Florida Native Landscaping were 1.26 and 1.34 times, respectively, more confident in their ability to identify pollinator plants, identify bee pollinators, and design bee gardens after using the web application. These data were consistent with pre- and post-tested means where students were asked to identify three major pollinator plants and three major pollinators using multiple choice response options. Test scores increased by 26.3% and 37.9% in Annual and Perennial Gardening and Florida Native Landscaping, respectively. The majority of students (95.0%) agreed or strongly agreed this learning tool was organized, easy to navigate, and would use it in the future. Since its launch in 2021, BeeGardens has averaged 1201 unique visits per month, revealing its popularity and wide use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Outreach, Extension, and Education to Disseminate Horticultural Advances)

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