Tag: Department of Agricultural Education and Communication

Setting Transparent Expectations for Successful Group Work

Jim Jawitz (far right) collaborating and discussing with students. Image was taken prior to national guidelines of face coverings and social distancing. Credit: Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS

Regardless of workspace or class setting, group work has gotten a reputation for being less than pleasant. However, when individuals have the opportunity to prepare for group work via understanding their personal strengths, expectations, and perspectives, the not-so-popular group work can often turn into pleasant, productive, and collaborative engagement. Because group dynamics shift and vary from group to group, there is a constant learning opportunity to understand how to work in groups successfully. This new 2-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication will identify simple yet effective strategies that can serve as foundational building blocks whenever preparing oneself or others for group work. Written by Cecilia E. Suarez and Jarred A. Shellhouse.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc389

The Road to Recovery #5: Self-Assessment of Virtual Facilitation to Build Trust

The virus that causes COVID-19

This fifth publication in the Road to Recovery series discusses how Extension professionals can evaluate techniques to build trust when facilitating virtual programming. Specific recommendations are provided addressing concerns about short- and long-term virtual trust, inclusion techniques, Zoom fatigue, and cybersecurity. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication was written by Colby Silvert, Cody Gusto, John Diaz, and Glenn Israel.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc388

The Road to Recovery #4: Evaluating Virtual Techniques to Reach Clientele and Promote Equity

The virus that causes COVID-19

This fourth publication in the Road to Recovery series explores the challenges Extension professionals may encounter in reaching clientele virtually during a pandemic. This new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication discusses the concept of digital equity and provides recommendations to evaluate efforts to access and connect with key audiences. Written by Colby Silvert, Cody Gusto, John Diaz, and Glenn Israel.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc387

Conducting the Needs Assessment #3: Educator Motivations, Barriers, and Objections

Videoconference in progress. Image by Jagrit Parajuli from Pixabay

This third publication in the Conducting the Needs Assessment series outlines a range of motivations, barriers, and common objections Extension educators and other service providers may have pertaining to needs assessments. It is not an easy task to conduct a needs assessment, yet there are many motives for implementing one. This new 4-page publication of the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication discusses strategies for increasing educator motivation and removing barriers and objections to conducting a needs assessment. Written by Matt Benge.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc386

Leading Difficult Conversations Series #3: Creating a Safe Conversation Environment

Hand with Red Pen Proofreading Text Closeup (iStock/Thinkstock)

This publication series is intended for leaders who bear the responsibility of having difficult conversations as part of their professional responsibilities. Earlier in this publication series, the foundational principles of preparing for difficult conversations were established: (1) defining the issue and (2) determining your motive for the conversation. Once those principles are put into practice, the next phase of having a difficult conversation is creating a safe environment for the conversation. Components of creating a safe environment include recognizing a conversation’s content and conditions, understanding the threats to a safe environment, and utilizing skills to overcome threats to restore safety. This new 3-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication was written by Christy Chiarelli.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc384

An Introduction to Utilizing Community Leaders to Expand Resiliency Efforts Following a Disaster

An older man in a brimmed hat sits on a wagon outdoors with a small child on his lap and a basket of vegetables in front of them. Image was taken prior to national guidelines of face coverings and social distancing. Credit: UF/IFAS File Photo

In the southeastern United States, many agricultural, vulnerable, and rural communities (AVRCs) must cope with natural disasters regularly. These natural disasters not only harm communities, crops, and livelihoods, but also can negatively impact the mental health of affected individuals, including those living in AVRCs. The purposes of this new 3-page article are to (1) provide tips on identifying specific individuals who could qualify as community leaders and (2) provide details on how partnering with community leaders can be beneficial for mental health communication and outreach. Written by Lisa Lundy, Jacqueline Aenlle, Ricky Telg, Tracy Irani, Angie Lindsey, Ashley Mcleod-Morin, Michaela Kandzer, and Phillip Stokes, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc383

Fundamentals of Volunteer Orientation

Members of Alpha Zeta volunteering to pick up trash along their stretch of adopt a street in Gainesville, Florida. Summer 2011 Impact magazine image. Image was taken prior to national guidelines of face coverings and social distancing. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

This new 4-page fact sheet is intended to assist volunteer managers when creating volunteer orientations for their new volunteers. Volunteer training and orientation is a critical component which should promote volunteers’ understanding of the role they hold within organizations. Leaders of volunteer organizations must ensure their organizations have adequately prepared volunteers to carry out the organization’s mission. Last, volunteer leaders should incorporate the cause, system, and social orientation components to effectively create an orientation focused on providing the appropriate onboarding of their most valuable asset: volunteers. Written by Olivia Caillouet, Jessica Williams, Shelby Atwood, and Matt Benge, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc382

Foundations of Effective Classroom Management

Horticulture Professor Balasubramanian Rathinasabapathi (Saba). Teaching, students, lecture, classrooom. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

Classroom management can be challenging for teachers. While managing a classroom requires flexible approach, there are some basic strategies than can be used to make the classroom safe and engaging. This new 3-page article provides recommendations to teachers to manage student behavior in the agriculture classroom. Written by Kelsey M. Thornton, R. G. (Tre) Easterly III, and Ed Osborne, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc381

The Savvy Survey #6e: Understanding How Question Type Impacts Future Analysis

Dr. Taylor Stein examines who hikes the Florida trail and why. Image was taken prior to national guidelines of face coverings and social distancing. UF/IFAS Photo: Thomas Wright.

This publication will briefly look at how the intent of a survey affects which types of questions should be asked and how the data can be analyzed to help address this intent. It is intended to provide guidance to Extension professionals, as well as persons in community organizations, who conduct surveys for program planning, improvement, and evaluation. Written by Colleen E. Gariton and Glenn D. Israel, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pd083

Leading Difficult Conversations Series #2: Preparing for the Conversation

Hand with Red Pen Proofreading Text Closeup (iStock/Thinkstock)

This publication series is designed to equip leaders with strategies and tactics to use when they are tasked with having a difficult conversation. When approaching difficult conversations, leaders are encouraged to examine themselves prior to engaging in a hard conversation, because ultimately, a person can only change themself. In this series, the first topic to explore is preparing for the conversation. The components of proper preparation include clearly defining the issue and considering the motive behind the conversation. This new 3-page publication of the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication was written by Christy Chiarelli.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc378

The Road to Recovery #3: Facilitating Community Resilience for Effective Pandemic Response

The virus that causes COVID-19

This third publication in the Road to Recovery series provides information and recommendations to support Extension professionals’ ability to facilitate capacity building and resilience development for communities during COVID-19 and potential future pandemic situations. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication was written by Cody Gusto, Colby Silvert, and John Diaz.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc380

Developing Extension Programming to Help Low-Income Families Save Money and Energy: The Community Weatherization Coalition Model

Homes in the Harmony energy efficient community that was developed with the help of UF/IFAS. Photo taken 06/14/16 by Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS.

This new 3-page publication of the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication is the first in a series that will help Extension agents, nonprofits, agency personnel, and other promoters of community development better understand both the issue of high utility bills among low-income residents and what they can do to help. This first publication provides an overview of one program approach taken by a group of volunteers in Alachua County, the Community Weatherization Coalition, which uses a model of trained “energy coaches.” Written by Paul Monaghan, Sarah Blucher, Marianne Schmink, Alane Humrich, Jennison Kipp, and Wendell Porter.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc368

Exemplary Youth Leadership Series: Encourage the Heart

4H congress, 2005. UF/IFAS Photo: Thomas Wright.

This publication series is designed to outline strategies and experiences to expose youth to and engage them with leadership concepts. In this publication, students will try on aspects of the final practice of exemplary leaders: encouraging the heart. Two quick, low-cost activities are included for implementation with youth and adults working with youth. These activities are best suited for students ages 10–18. However, modifications are included for each of the activities to allow for different group sizes, ages, and abilities of the youth participating. This new 2-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication was written by Megan Stein.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc377

The Road to Recovery: Building Physical and Emotional Trust when Engaging with Extension Clientele

The virus that causes COVID-19

Now is a crucial time for Extension professionals to engage with clientele. In both urban and rural communities, clients are facing a multitude of unprecedented challenges related to COVID-19. Many Extension professionals already have experience in emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery that can be applied in the present context. However, we must rethink how we interact with and assist clientele to ensure their safety and our own. To do this, it is critical we understand that the pandemic has exacerbated emotional trauma and anxiety resulting in trust gaps. This new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication aims to build Extension professionals’ sensitivity to the needs and emotional strains that COVID-19 presents for clients, and the strategies needed for effective recovery. Written by Colby Silvert, Cody Gusto, and John Diaz.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc376

Understanding Extension for School-Based Agricultural Education #1: Extension 101

Solutions for your Life billboard. UF/IFAS File Photo.

This article and series were designed primarily for use by secondary agriscience teachers in school-based agricultural education programs (SBAE) to help build a strong understanding of Extension and the role of Extension professionals. An important part of access and use of Extension services is understanding its background, structure, and function. This initial publication in the Understanding Extension for School-Based Agricultural Education series provides agricultural educators and the general public with a basic understanding of Extension. This new 4-page publication of the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication was written by Debra Barry, John Diaz, Alyssa Shepherd, Jennifer Patton, and Stephen Gran.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc372

Leading Difficult Conversations Series #1: Introduction

Hand with Red Pen Proofreading Text Closeup

This publication series examines strategies and tactics for leaders to utilize when tasked with having a difficult conversation. Leadership can require leaders to have necessary conversations that are not always easy. Through providing leaders with specific tools to have difficult conversations, this series aims to promote dialogue and equip individuals to be more successful leaders. The series provides information regarding preparing for difficult conversations, creating a safe conversation environment, utilizing conversation tactics, and employing listening skills. This new 2-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication is part 1 of the series. Written by Christy Chiarelli.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc374