A translational gap exists between the development of an evidence-based health promotion intervention and its eventual implementation in the intended setting. This lack of translation impacts the uptake of health promotion interventions within delivery systems such as the Cooperative Extension Service (Extension). Within this system, Extension educators serve as the intermediaries addressing needs in the communities in which they are employed with support from Extension health specialists. Previous research has shown that educators utilize other peer educators and specialists to learn and adopt health promotion programming, but these studies are over two decades old (e.g., missing technological advances such as Internet and social media) and often focused on a single state Extension system. The purpose of this research was to understand how evidence-based health promotion intervention information is shared within Cooperative Extension by 1) identifying information sources and channels of Extension specialists and educators while 2) identifying the characteristics of an intervention that aid in the adoption and uptake of these health promotion interventions. The first mixed-methods study aimed to identify information sources and channels used by Extension educators from a national sample and learn their preferences for information delivery. Results of this study (Manuscript 1), identified specialists as the key information source Therefore, the second study (Manuscript 2) focused on Extension health specialists' preferences for information sources and channels while also 1) determine how specialists communicate with educators 2) preliminary thoughts on a dissemination intervention. The final study (Manuscript 3) explored the intervention characteristics that are both educator and specialists deemed most important to their adoption decision-making process. The results of this dissertation inform the development of a dissemination intervention to bridge the translational gap across Extension. The information sources and channels used and trusted by both Extension educators and specialists are highlighted in this work. Additionally, specialists have given insight for consideration for an online repository that can be used on demand to both facilitate the adoption and uptake of health promotion interventions as needed by Extension Educators. / Doctor of Philosophy / A translational gap exists between the development of an evidence-based health promotion intervention and its eventual implementation in the intended setting. This lack of translation impacts the uptake of health promotion interventions within delivery systems such as the Cooperative Extension Service (Extension). Within this system, Extension educators serve as the intermediaries addressing needs in the communities in which they are employed with support from Extension health specialists. Previous research has shown that educators utilize other peer educators and specialists to learn and adopt health promotion programming, but these studies are over two decades old (e.g., missing technological advances such as Internet and social media) and often focused on a single state Extension system. The purpose of this research was to understand how evidence-based health promotion intervention information is shared within Cooperative Extension by 1) identifying information sources and channels of Extension specialists and educators while 2) identifying the characteristics of an intervention (e.g., duration, dose, cost) that aid in the adoption and uptake of these health promotion interventions. The first mixed-methods study aimed to identify information sources and channels used by Extension educators from a national sample and learn their preferences for information delivery. Results of this study (Manuscript 1), identified specialists as a key information source Therefore, the second study (Manuscript 2) focused on Extension health specialists’ preferences for information sources and channels while also 1) determine how specialists communicate with educators 2) preliminary thoughts on a dissemination intervention. The final study (Manuscript 3) determined the intervention characteristics that are both educator and specialists deemed most important to their adoption decision-making process. The results of this dissertation inform the development of a dissemination intervention to bridge the translational gap across Extension. The information sources and channels used and trusted by both Extension educators and specialists are highlighted in this work. Additionally, specialists have given insight for consideration for an online repository that can be used on demand to both facilitate the adoption and uptake of health promotion interventions as needed by Extension Educator.

New food processing technologies are needed to create safe, high-quality food products that are still considered "fresh" by consumers. Despite the numerous benefits attributed to 'food processing', consumers continue to perceive the term negatively. Consumer acceptance of foods processed with different technologies generally increases when factual information is provided to the consumer. Educators working within Cooperative Extension are a resource for public dissemination of food information. By working directly in the community, Extension educators often cultivate positive relationships with local clientele. Therefore, Extension educators can dispel myths related to food processing technologies and deliver science-supported information to the general public. Consumer knowledge, perceptions, and purchasing intentions associated with both conventional and emerging food processing technologies were assessed through a nationwide telephone survey administered by Virginia Tech's Center for Survey Research Center. A similar version of the telephone survey was disseminated in an online format to Virginia Extension agents. An additional section of the online survey served as a needs assessment for educational materials related to food processing technologies. A grounded theory methodology was used for qualitative coding in both surveys. Approximately 67% of consumers expressed concerns towards the term "processed foods." The majority of Extension agents (67.4%) expressed concerns about foods that had been processed, citing additional ingredients, preservatives, and additives; safety; and health implications. Both the consumer and Extension agent groups were more likely to be supportive of light-exposed foods to enhance food safety and quality, in comparison to gas-exposed foods. Although agents may be familiar with some food processing technologies, they may not have the resources to understand the scientific mechanisms for which a technology is able to increase food safety. Consumer education regarding emerging technologies is necessary to anticipate potential consumer concerns; however, agents still lack resources and information about existing and frequently used food processing technologies. Educational interventions are needed to provide information to consumers and increase their acceptance of new and currently used processing technologies so that the food industry can effectively target emerging issues related to food. / Doctor of Philosophy

Reducing employee turnover through retention practices is an area of great interest to employers who depend on a highly skilled workforce. In recent years, Cooperative Extension has experienced the loss of many local agents/educators due to resignation and also retirement incentives offered as a cost saving measure to manage reduced funding. Due to the type of work, the training needed, and the small pool of qualified applicants, it is important to pay attention to the retention of newly hired Extension workers. Prior research suggests a linkage of factors that can predict the likelihood of new employees' intention to quit. Human resource practices including recruitment & hiring, compensation & benefits, training & development, and supervision & evaluation are items that can directly influence the level of job satisfaction of new employees as well as their level of commitment to the organization. The level of job satisfaction and organizational commitment can, subsequently, predict an employee's level of intention to quit. This paper will share findings of research conducted in the fall of 2010, which included 480 Extension agents/educators, representing 12 states in the Southern United States. The study targeted employees with less than six years of employment and investigated human resource practices that influence intention to quit. Findings indicate a significant relationship between perceptions of human resource practices and intention to quit, mediated by organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Accordingly, the research has important implications for the management of Cooperative Extension and anyone working in or preparing to work in related fields. / Ph. D.

This study is an assessment of the New Extension Agent Training (NEAT) program in Virginia. Although new Extension agents have exceptional subject matter training, they often lack skills needed to be effective Extension professionals (Bennett, 1979). The NEAT program provides a way for new agents to receive hands-on experiences that will facilitate a smooth transition into their respective roles. There is currently no specific data that has the NEAT program. Therefore, an evaluation of the program by its participants to determine its importance and effectiveness may be utilized to enhance the effectiveness of the NEAT program. The survey utilized to collect data in the study was developed by the researcher. The instrument was put on a website where participants could access it during a given time frame. The population consisted of new Extension agents, training agents, and administrators who participated in the NEAT program and are currently employed by Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE). Participants were asked to rate the importance and effectiveness of the NEAT program in facilitating new Extension agents' growth in a series of goals needed for a new agent to be proficient. These goals were then divided into eight competencies as outlined by National Policy Statement on Staff Training and Development (1968). Participants were asked to provide demographic information and suggestions that would be useful in designing future programs. Data were analyzed using SPSS. The data showed that communication was rated the most important competency while human development was considered the least important. The data related to the ratings of effectiveness of the NEAT program in relation to the eight competencies also demonstrated that respondents rated communication as the most effectively taught competency covered in the NEAT program, and human development as the least effectively taught competency. Significant differences among ratings by position in the NEAT program were measured at the 0.05 alpha level. Significant differences were observed both between new Extension agents and Extension administrators and between Extension training agents and Extension administrators were in the importance of a selected competency and the effectiveness of the NEAT program in teaching the some of the competencies. / Ph. D.

Minimal research has examined the interrelationship between motivation, place attachment, and the need to belong in a residential camping environment. The purpose of this study was to better understand the role of place attachment and the need to belong in facilitating 4-H Camp Graham campers and counselors interest in returning to residential 4-H summer camp year after year. All participants included in this study were at least 18 years of age, graduated from high school, former 4-H members, and attended 4-H camp for at least two consecutive years. Three camping clusters participated in focus group interviews for a total of 21 participants. A fourth camping cluster and participants unable to attend their designated focus group, were invited complete an online survey. Overall, campers and counselors were primarily motivated to return to camp each year due to the relationships, memories, and sense of belonging formed at camp. While nature and location played a role in the camp experience by providing a secluded environment free from outside influence, these attachments were secondary. Attachment to camp grew over time and participants valued the camp experience highly and tended to choose camp friendships and the camp experience over other opportunities. Longevity at camp influenced the strength of attachment. This research suggests that intentionality in these areas of staff training and program planning are critical to camper and counselor connection to camp. Additionally, this research provides tangible evidence that points to the value of sharing the residential camping experience with potential funders and parents. / Master of Science in Life Sciences

The purpose of the study was to explain the proportion of the variance in the level of implementation of the Performance Planning, Counseling, and Evaluation (PPC&E) program that could be attributed to the nine Probability of Adoption of Change (PAC) model constructs. Level of implementation was operationally defined as the degree to which county directors implemented the many elements of the PPC&E program. The nine PAC model constructs included: advantage probability, championship, circumstances, idea comprehensibility, opposition, practicality, strategies, superintendency, and value compatibility. / Ph. D.

This study examines the interconnectedness of social networks of the early adopter Family and Consumer Science Extension Agents (FCS Agents) of the Mental Healthiness and Aging Initiative (MHAI) pilot conducted in eleven (11) eastern Kentucky counties between October 2007 and April 2009 and compares the social network connections of the FCS Agents in the other six Extension Districts in Kentucky. This research used whole-network survey analysis applying the social network approach, a conceptual model for explaining the communication of new ideas and information within an organizational network. Organizational networks are important structural elements of organizational systems and key to understanding diffusion of new programs within institutional organizations, such as the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. Previous diffusion studies by Extension scholars have concentrated on the classic diffusion model of agricultural technology innovations with individual farmer adopters. Adoption of new programs and ideas is the process by which individuals in a social system decide to use the communicated new idea, program, and/or technology. This conceptual model describes the stages of diffusion through the attributes of the clientele adopters. The social network conceptual model describes diffusion through communication channels. Identified opinion leaders are matched with those who nominate them or closely identify with them in a diffusion network perspective to accelerate the diffusion process through an optimal pairing of network member with influencers. Data were collected from the FCS Extension Agent network in an online survey “FCS Health Information Communication Network Survey” from July 1, 2011 – July 30, 2011. Participants were asked to rate each of their co-workers in their own district, and in each of the other six districts, on how often they go to each person directly for health education information. Hypothesis testing supports the use of opinion leaders, bridges and communication structures within the social network structure of FCS agents for diffusing health programming within the Cooperative Extension Service.

Prior to the development of programing and outreach materials it is important for Extension outreach and education professionals to assess the educational needs and preference of the communities they serve. Survey data was gathered from residents of Cedar City, UT, in an effort to gain an understanding of current lawn management practices and the resources homeowners utilize when making management decisions. In addition, soil samples were collected from a subset of participants to compare nutrient levels to management practices. Survey results found that homeowners accessed multiple sources, with preferences leaning towards the use of friends and family members, the internet, and the point of purchase. Few homeowners are aware of and utilize educational resources and services provided by Extension. This is especially true for those under the age of 50, which poses a challenge to Extension professionals to find effective ways to reach younger generations. It was difficult to form associations between nutrient levels and management practices Although, there was a strong association between those with excessive phosphorus concentration and the application of biosolids. More research needs to be done to examine the distribution and end use of biosolids.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1968. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.