UF AEC Showcases Excellence at 2025 NACS and Southern-AAAE Conferences
The University of Florida’s Department of Agricultural Education and Communication (UF/AEC) proudly showcased its scholarship and leadership at the 2025 National Agricultural Communications Symposium (NACS) and the 2025 Southern American Association for Agricultural Education (Southern-AAAE), held in conjunction with the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (SAAS) Meeting from January 30 – February 4, 2025.
2025 National Agricultural Communications Symposium (NACS)
Our department made a strong impact at NACS, with faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students collectively presenting seven papers, eight posters, three idea incubators, and two professional development sessions. With acceptance rates of 67% for papers and 84% for posters, UF/AEC’s presence reflected its dedication to advancing agricultural communication scholarship.
Award Winners
- People’s Choice Innovative Poster: Mathew Gold and Sadie Hundemer
- People’s Choice Research Poster: Shannon Kehoe, Jaime Loizzo, and Lisa Lundy
- First Runner-up Outstanding Paper: Cheng-Xian Yang, Lauri M. Baker, and Li-Yu Liao
- First Runner-up Outstanding Research Poster: Dorcas Sunday, Lauri M. Baker, and Heather Young
- Outstanding Innovative Poster: Cheng-Xian Yang and Lauri M. Baker
Service to NACS
UF/AEC faculty and students also contributed to the profession through leadership roles:
- Student Representative 2024-2025 Officer Team: Carrie Baker
- Student Representative 2025-2026 Officer Team: Kayla Braggs
- Treasurer: Ricky Telg
- Travel Scholarship Winner: Kayla Braggs
2025 Southern American Association for Agricultural Education
UF/AEC also demonstrated excellence at the Southern-AAAE conference, with faculty and graduate students presenting 12 papers and three posters. Several members of our department earned prestigious awards and contributed to professional service.
Award Winners
- Distinguished Manuscript: Carla Jagger and Katrina Alford
- Journal of Southern Agricultural Education Research – Article of the Year: Carrie N. Baker and Kathleen D. Kelsie
- Distinguished Agricultural Communications Educator Award: Heather Young
Service to Southern Region-AAAE
- Chair of the Member Services Committee: Debra Barry
- Chair of the Professional Development Committee (Outgoing): Tre Easterly
Looking Ahead
UF/AEC is honored to contribute to these conferences and remains committed to fostering excellence in agricultural communication and education research. We are also excited to announce that the 2026 Southern-AAAE conference will be hosted by the University of Florida in Oklahoma City.
Congratulations to all presenters, award winners, and contributors who represented UF AEC at these prestigious conferences!
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