Preventing Teacher Burnout in Agricultural Education

Savannah J. Scott, Sarah A. Bush, and Debra M. Barry.

This publication provides insight into ways school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teachers can prevent burnout.

International Volunteering: #1 What It Is and How to Apply

Renzo Ceme Vinces, John Diaz, Sebastian Galindo, and Pablo Lamino.

This first EDIS publication in the International Volunteering series offers valuable insights and recommendations on volunteerism and its best practices in international settings. It provides guidance on identifying and applying to various opportunities that align with the target audience’s interests and goals.

Sustaining Community Change through Participatory Action Research: A Framework for Enduring Impact in Agricultural Systems

Ysabel Polanco and John Diaz.

Participatory action research (PAR) has emerged as a transformative methodology in agricultural development, blending collaborative inquiry with direct action to generate locally relevant, sustainable change. This final article in a series on PAR focuses on sustaining the impacts, relationships, and innovations generated through these community-based research endeavors.

Team Structures and Workflow Patterns

Sarah A. Bush, Carrie N. Baker, and Laura L. Greenhaw.

Teams are commonly used in the workplace and organizations to effectively manage complex or large projects that require input from multiple individuals. This publication introduces different types of team structures, highlighting how member roles and leadership within the team are organized. Additionally, different types of workflow patterns that may occur in teams and groups are described.

Intercultural Competencies: Understanding Monochronic and Polychronic Cultures

María Fernanda Zepeda and Pablo Lamino.

This fourth publication in the Intercultural Competencies series provides valuable insights and recommendations on engaging various clientele by understanding and applying concepts related to monochronic vs. polychronic cultures. It also offers strategies for adapting behaviors to effectively connect with audiences from various cultural backgrounds.

Participatory Action Research in Agriculture: An Introduction

John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco.

This is the first article in a six-part series on participatory action research (PAR) that introduces a phased framework for implementing PAR in agricultural settings, including stages of problem identification, co-design, implementation, observation, reflection, and iteration. This publication draws on foundational literature in PAR and agricultural research to present a clear and accessible introduction for Extension professionals and agricultural practitioners.

Hofstede Cultural Dimensions #1: Introduction

Jose A. Molina, Pablo Lamino, and John Diaz.

This is the first publication in an EDIS series focused on the practical application of Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions, designed to enhance intercultural competencies. This publication provides practical guidance for navigating complex local challenges, focusing on recognizing cultural differences and adjusting communication strategies to fit the context.

Building a Professional Environment for Self-Awareness

Savannah Bailey and Megan S. Cantrell.

Creating spaces that encourage self-awareness is essential for personal growth and for fostering a stronger, more effective team. This publication will explain how individuals can build a professional environment that facilitates self-awareness. These strategies can be used by a wide range of individuals, such as leaders and team members in the workplace, teachers in a classroom, and Extension professionals working with communities.

Recommendations and Best Practices for Youth Environmental Education Programs

Colleen E. Gariton, Matt Benge, Sadie Hundemer, Meredith S. Berry, and T. Grady Roberts.

Research shows that youth who interact with natural environments are physically, mentally, behaviorally, and socially healthier (Zhang et al., 2018). Environmental educators, youth professionals, and organizations can implement simple strategies and practices to foster youth interaction with the environment in youth education and programming. This publication is based on research conducted in 2024 focused on environmental education at a 4-H camp in Florida (Gariton, 2024).

Evaluating Participatory Action Research Projects: Process, Outcomes, and Use

John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco.

This is the fifth article in the Participatory Action Research in Agriculture series, designed for Extension professionals working in agricultural contexts. It provides practical guidance on evaluation strategies, approaches, and common challenges in participatory action research projects, offering tools and insights to help practitioners assess progress, document outcomes, and strengthen both research quality and community impact.

Driving Engagement across Segments: Overcoming Barriers in Water Conservation through Irrigation Restriction Compliance

Adeyinka T. Ayodele, Dipendra Aryal, Oluwatosin A. Asemokhai, and Laura A. Warner.

This publication shares the results of recent research that explored how Florida residents adhered to residential irrigation restrictions by identifying groups of individuals who shared similar compliance behaviors further distinguished by demographic, geographic, psychographic, and behavioral factors such as age, income, education, regional water availability, environmental attitudes, social norms, and convenience or skepticism tendencies. Insights from the research summarized in this publication can also guide the development of programs and policies in other regions facing similar challenges with water scarcity and residential irrigation management.

0