Annual/Termination Reports:

[10/20/2025]

Report Information

Participants

In Person: Michelle Burrows – Utah State University (USU), Rose Judd-Murray (USU), Becka Israelson (USU - Utah Ag in the Classroom), Josh Stewart - Oregon State University (OSU), Bailey Steward (OSU -Undergraduate). Teague Teece (OSU), Hailey Traini (OSU), Taylor Apple/ Kennedy – Texas A&M (Graduate Student), Melody Beck – Texas A&M (Graduate Student), Theresa Murphy – Texas A&M, Shannon Norrish Parish – Texas A&M, Ean Richards – Stephen F. Austin (Graduate Student), Brian Warnick (Administrative Advisor) – USU.

Online: Gaea Hock – Kansas State University, Carley Morrison – Mississippi State University, Annie Specht – Ohio State University (Chair-Elect), Stephanie Lemley – Mississippi State University (Guest), Ally Spears – Texas A&M, Katie Stofer – University of Florida, Jessica Benson – Mississippi State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

<p><strong>Accomplishments: </strong>This report summarizes collaborative efforts across seven institutions&mdash;Texas A&amp;M, Colorado State, Ohio State, Mississippi State, Kansas State and Oregon State&mdash;focused on advancing agricultural literacy through five key objectives. These include assessing agricultural knowledge and decision-making, understanding attitudes and motivations, evaluating literacy programs, analyzing nonformal instruction and policy impacts, and identifying innovative literacy methods. Contributors reported a range of projects such as curriculum evaluations, social media influence studies, agritourism research, and food safety education in underserved communities.</p><br /> <p>This report also highlights a robust body of scholarly work completed in 2024/2025, including peer-reviewed journal articles, conference presentations, and poster sessions. These outputs reflect diverse approaches to agricultural literacy&mdash;from experiential learning and intercultural communication to mental health in agriculture and the use of nontraditional educational spaces like distilleries and social media. Graduate and undergraduate students played a significant role in many of these efforts.</p><br /> <p><strong>Short-term outcomes:&nbsp;</strong></p><br /> <table><br /> <tbody><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>Objective</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Projects &amp; Activities</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Institutions / Contributors</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#1: Assessing Agricultural Knowledge and Decision-Making</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Ag literacy hackathon and undergraduate research<br /> - High school curriculum impact on socioscientific reasoning<br /> - Extension literacy replication study<br /> - Agricultural video games study<br /> - Systems thinking proposal (poultry industry, podcasts)<br /> - SNAP education research<br /> - Precision ag knowledge survey</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Texas A&amp;M (Parish, Murphy)<br /> Mississippi State (Morrison)<br /> Ohio State (Specht)<br /> Oregon (Stewart)<br /> USU (RJM)<br /> Stephen F. Austin (Richards)</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#2: Understanding Attitudes, Perceptions, and Motivations</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Beef/dairy sustainability attitudes study<br /> - Pollinator decline study<br /> - Social media influencer study<br /> - Ohio food/ag/environment perceptions survey</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>CSU (Bennett)<br /> Texas A&amp;M (Spears, Murphy)<br /> Ohio State (Specht)</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#3: Evaluating Agricultural Literacy Programs</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Youth peer educator impact study<br /> - CRE 2.0 PD for MS teachers<br /> - Mississippi Ag 360 VR field trips<br /> - ivistiproject.com virtual farm/ranch visits<br /> - AgExcel microcredential proposal</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Mississippi State (Morrison, Benson)<br /> Texas A&amp;M (Lemley)<br /> Kansas State (Hock)</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#4: Assessing Nonformal Instruction and Policy Impacts</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Law enforcement ag preparedness training<br /> - USDA NEXT GEN veteran mental health study<br /> - Extension agent training with microcredentials<br /> - Undergraduate research on policy/public perception</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Texas A&amp;M (Parish, Murphy)<br /> Mississippi State (Benson)</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#5: Identifying Innovative Agricultural Literacy Methods</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Bourbon distillery agritourism study<br /> - Reality TV and Twitter data analysis<br /> - Curriculum evaluation in traditional/nontraditional spaces<br /> - International food safety workshops<br /> - Livestock complex outreach hub<br /> - Online groundwater education modules</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Ohio State (Specht)<br /> Texas A&amp;M (Parish, Norris)<br /> Oregon (Traini)<br /> USU (Burrows)<br /> Mississippi State (Morrison, Lemley)<br /> USDA SAS Groundwater project<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> </tbody><br /> </table><br /> <p><strong>Outputs:</strong></p><br /> <table><br /> <tbody><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>Objective</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Outputs</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Citation / Source</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#1: Assessing Agricultural Knowledge and Decision-Making</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Journal articles on Extension literacy, communication skills<br /> Conference presentations (AIAEE, WAAAE, ACE)<br /> Poster presentations on debate, logos, intercultural experiences</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Judd-Murray et al., 2024<br /> Norris-Parish et al., 2024<br /> Rawdon et al., 2024<br /> Trevizo et al., 2024<br /> Scott et al., 2024<br /> Rodriguez et al., 2024</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#2: Understanding Attitudes, Perceptions, and Motivations</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Conference presentation on Instagram influencers<br /> Journal article on Ohio resident perceptions</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Spears et al., 2025<br /> Thapa et al., 2024</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#3: Evaluating Agricultural Literacy Programs</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Journal articles on PD and equity<br /> Literacy in the Disciplines articles on SEL and food insecurity<br /> Evaluation data from Pacific Collaborative and SPECA<br /> Mississippi teacher institute outputs</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Lemley et al., 2024<br /> Lemley &amp; Marlow, 2025</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#4: Assessing Nonformal Instruction and Policy Impacts</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Poster presentations on veteran mental health and ag support tools</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Levario &amp; Norris-Parish, 2024</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#5: Identifying Innovative Agricultural Literacy Methods</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Journal articles on Ugandan educators, employability, emotional duties, ACEs<br /> Conference presentations on trauma and ACEs<br /> Poster presentations on Science Influencers and groundwater</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>McCarty et al., 2024<br /> Norris &amp; Norris-Parish, 2024<br /> Palmer et al., 2024<br /> Petty et al., 2024</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> </tbody><br /> </table><br /> <p><strong>Activities:</strong></p><br /> <table><br /> <tbody><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>Objective</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Activities / Research Conducted</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#1: Assessing Agricultural Knowledge and Decision-Making</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Conducted agricultural literacy assessments in varied contexts- Implemented a &ldquo;hack-a-thon&rdquo; approach to connect students with ag literacy- Evaluated high school students&rsquo; knowledge and socioscientific reasoning- Assessed knowledge gains via &ldquo;train the trainer&rdquo; model- Studied social media influencers in the beef industry- Investigated consumer education efforts in bourbon distilleries- Delivered food safety training in Pacific Island communities with pre/post assessments</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#2: Understanding Attitudes, Perceptions, and Motivations</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Evaluated high school students&rsquo; attitudes post problem-based learning- Explored social media influencers&rsquo; impact on perceptions- Surveyed Ohio residents on food, ag, and environmental concerns</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#3: Evaluating Agricultural Literacy Programs</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Studied youth peer educator impact on knowledge and career interest- Delivered ACRE 2.0 PD to MS teachers integrating SEL and literacy- Evaluated Pacific Collaborative food safety training outcomes- Assessed SPECA project&rsquo;s externships, field trips, and resources</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#4: Assessing Nonformal Instruction and Policy Impacts</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Trained law enforcement and federal agents in ag emergency response- Investigated agricultural exposure&rsquo;s impact on veteran mental health</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#5: Identifying Innovative Agricultural Literacy Methods</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Analyzed curriculum and policy in traditional and international ag ed- Studied social media influencers and agritourism (bourbon distilleries)- Explored nontraditional spaces for literacy (e.g., tourism, online modules)<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> </tbody><br /> </table><br /> <p><strong>Milestones:</strong></p><br /> <table><br /> <tbody><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>Objective</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>Milestones</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#1: Assessing Agricultural Knowledge and Decision-Making</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Completion of ag literacy hackathon integrating core science with education<br /> - Development of high school curriculum assessing socioscientific reasoning<br /> - Replication of extension literacy study in Mississippi<br /> - Launch of agricultural video game literacy study<br /> - Resubmission of systems thinking proposal (poultry industry, podcasts)<br /> - Completion of precision ag knowledge survey<br /> - SNAP education research identifying service usage and impact</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#2: Understanding Attitudes, Perceptions, and Motivations</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Completion of dissertation on sustainability attitudes in beef and dairy sectors<br /> - Launch of pollinator decline study<br /> - Execution of social media influencer study<br /> - Survey of Ohio residents on food, agriculture, and environment</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#3: Evaluating Agricultural Literacy Programs</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Implementation of Mississippi Ag 360 VR field trips<br /> - Launch of ACRE 2.0 PD for MS teachers<br /> - Development of ivistiproject.com for virtual farm/ranch visits<br /> - Submission of AgExcel proposal for extension agent microcredential training</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#4: Assessing Nonformal Instruction and Policy Impacts</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Completion of agricultural preparedness training for law enforcement<br /> - USDA NEXT GEN study on veteran mental health and agricultural exposure<br /> - Undergraduate research on policy and public perceptions</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><br /> <p>#5: Identifying Innovative Agricultural Literacy Methods</p><br /> </td><br /> <td><br /> <p>- Execution of USDA-funded food safety workshops in the Insular Pacific<br /> - Research on agritourism value with community development professionals<br /> - Reality TV and Twitter data analysis on agricultural literacy impacts<br /> - Bourbon distillery study on consumer perceptions and agritourism<br /> - Development of outreach and education hub at OSU livestock complex<br /> - Online groundwater education modules<br /> - Recruitment of editors for Agricultural Education Magazine issue on ag literacy</p><br /> </td><br /> </tr><br /> </tbody><br /> </table>

Publications

<p><strong>Objective 1</strong></p><br /> <p>Judd-Murray, R., Hill, N., Norris-Parish, S. L., &amp; Hock, G. (2024). A multi-state agricultural literacy assessment of Extension professionals and volunteers. Journal of Agricultural Education, 65(2), 191&ndash;208. <a href="https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v65i2.2481">https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v65i2.2481</a></p><br /> <p>Norris-Parish, S. L., Leggette, H. R., Murphrey, T., Parrella, J., Richburg, A., &amp; Herring, A. (2024). Beefing up communication skills of upper-level animal science students. Translational Animal Science, 8(txae007), 1&ndash;9. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txae007">https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txae007</a></p><br /> <p>Rawdon, T., Norris-Parish, S. L., &amp; Roberts-Hill, L. (2024, April). Building confidence abroad: Impact of a study abroad program on student confidence levels when communicating internationally [Oral Presentation]. AIAEE Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.</p><br /> <p>Trevizo, E., Kent, A., Greene, P., McCarty, R., Roberts-Hill, L., &amp; Norris-Parish, S. L. (2024, April). Doing as the locals do: Evaluating students&rsquo; perceived self-efficacy in intercultural communication when traveling abroad [Oral Presentation]. AIAEE Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.</p><br /> <p>Rybolt, E., &amp; Norris-Parish, S. L. (2024, November). Impact of cooperative learning for communicating global agricultural issues using the jigsaw technique [Oral Presentation]. Graduate Research &amp; Arts Symposium, Las Cruces, NM.</p><br /> <p>Scott, T., &amp; Norris-Parish, S. (2024, September). Capturing confidence: Engaging improvisation techniques to teach debate and public speaking skills [Poster Presentation]. WAAAE Research Conference, Chico, CA.</p><br /> <p>Scott, T., Roberts-Hill, L., &amp; Norris-Parish, S. (2024, September). Duplik[ating] shapes: Using basic shapes and gaming tactics to train logo creation [Poster Presentation]. WAAAE Research Conference, Chico, CA.</p><br /> <p>Rodriguez, T., &amp; Norris-Parish, S. L. (2024, June). Props for persuasion: Engaging persuasive and marketing strategies when teaching communication campaigns [Poster Presentation]. ACE Conference, Salt Lake City, UT.</p><br /> <p>Gardner, M., Roberts-Hill, L., &amp; Norris-Parish, S. L. (2024, April). Drought is universal, but not indistinguishable: Investigating how traveling abroad challenges perspectives [Poster Presentation]. AIAEE Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.</p><br /> <p>Hodnett, A., &amp; Norris-Parish, S. L. (2024, February). Empowering interviews: Establishing confidence in sharing personal stories in professional interviews [Poster Presentation]. NACS, Atlanta, GA.</p><br /> <p><strong>Objective 2</strong></p><br /> <p>Spears, A., Murphrey, T., Dooley, K., &amp; McElroy, A. (2025). Influencing the herd: A phenomenological exploration of beef Instagram influencers. AAAE National Conference, Lubbock, TX.</p><br /> <p>Thapa, M., Adhikari, S., Specht, A. R., Lawson, C. R., Rumble, J. N., &amp; Buck, E. B. (2024). Exploring perceptions of Ohio residents on agricultural issues. Journal of Applied Communications, 108(4). <a href="https://doi.org/10.4148/1051-0834.2569">https://doi.org/10.4148/1051-0834.2569</a></p><br /> <p><strong>Objective 3</strong></p><br /> <p>Lemley, S. M., Alley, K. A., &amp; Morrison, C. C. (2024). Developing deeper understandings through an agricultural literacy professional development. Journal of Agricultural Education, 65(4), 20&ndash;41. <a href="https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v65i4.159">https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v65i4.159</a></p><br /> <p>Lemley, S. M., Alley, K. A., &amp; Clary, R. M. (2024). Voices from the field: Agriculture educators&rsquo; perspectives on equity in agricultural education. Journal of Agricultural Education, 65(3), 52&ndash;74. <a href="https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v65i3.2487">https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v65i3.2487</a></p><br /> <p>Lemley, S. M., &amp; Marlow, T. (2025, March 11). Growing knowledge: A 7th grade teacher in Cleveland, Mississippi is cultivating agriculture skills and tackling food insecurity. Literacy in the Disciplines. <a href="https://literacy6-12.org/marlow-20250312/">https://literacy6-12.org/marlow-20250312/</a></p><br /> <p>Lemley, S. M. (2024, April 16). Infusing socio-emotional learning into K&ndash;12 classrooms utilizing &ldquo;hunger&rdquo; as an agricultural context. Literacy in the Disciplines. <a href="https://literacy6-12.org/infusing-socio-emotional-learning-into-k12-classrooms-utilizing-hunger-as-an-agricultural-context/">https://literacy6-12.org/infusing-socio-emotional-learning-into-k12-classrooms-utilizing-hunger-as-an-agricultural-context/</a></p><br /> <p>Lemley, S. M., Messman, R., Swanson, R., &amp; Lemley, C. (2024). Two-week agriculture institute prepares Mississippi teachers to improve agricultural literacy in classrooms. Journal of Animal Science, 102(Suppl_1), 12&ndash;13. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae019.014">https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae019.014</a></p><br /> <p>Lemley, S. M., Messman, R., Swanson, R., &amp; Lemley, C. (2024). Two-week agriculture institute prepares Mississippi teachers to improve agricultural literacy in classrooms. American Association of Animal Science&ndash;Southern Section, Louisville, KY.</p><br /> <p><strong>Objective 4</strong></p><br /> <p>Levario, Z., &amp; Norris-Parish, S. L. (2024, November). Mental health in agriculture: Describing agricultural support tools for veteran mental health [Poster Presentation]. USDA NEXT GEN LEADING Annual Conference, Mayag&uuml;ez, Puerto Rico.</p><br /> <p>Levario, Z., &amp; Norris-Parish, S. L. (2024, February). Mental health and agriculture: Investigating agricultural programming and tools supporting veteran mental health [Poster Presentation]. USDA NEXT GEN LEADING Annual Conference, Kingsville, TX.</p><br /> <p><strong>Objective 5</strong></p><br /> <p>McCarty, R., Norris-Parish, S. L., Edgar, D., Roberts-Hill, L., &amp; Witte, J. (2024). Examination of Ugandan educators&rsquo; cultural preferences when teaching agriculture: A Q methodological study. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 31(1), 74&ndash;91. <a href="https://doi.org/10.4148/2831-5960.1169">https://doi.org/10.4148/2831-5960.1169</a></p><br /> <p>Norris, W., &amp; Norris-Parish, S. L. (2024). Employing the next generation: Defining the need for employability skills integration through the lens of school district superintendents. Journal of Research in Technical Careers, 8(2), 17&ndash;31. <a href="https://doi.org/10.9741/2578-2118.1156">https://doi.org/10.9741/2578-2118.1156</a></p><br /> <p>Norris, W., &amp; Norris-Parish, S. L. (2024). The emotional duties of an agricultural educator. Journal of Agricultural Education, 65(1), 193&ndash;209. <a href="https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v65i1.2460">https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v65i1.2460</a></p><br /> <p>Norris, W., Norris-Parish, S. L., &amp; Crayton, T. (2024). The administrative paradox: Assessing how teaching experience affects superintendents&rsquo; perceptions of the importance of educational law to agricultural educators. Journal of Agricultural Education, 65(3), 75&ndash;94. <a href="https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v65i3.2597">https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v65i3.2597</a></p><br /> <p>Norris, W., Norris-Parish, S. L., &amp; Greene-Lippard, P. (2024). More than a lesson: A qualitative analysis of agricultural educators&rsquo; impact on students with adverse childhood experiences. Journal of Agricultural Education, 64(4), 1&ndash;18.</p><br /> <p>Norris, W., Norris-Parish, S. L., &amp; Greene-Lippard, P. (2024, May). More than a lesson: A qualitative analysis of agricultural educators&rsquo; impact on students with adverse childhood experiences [Oral Presentation]. AAAE National Conference, Manhattan, KS.</p><br /> <p>Norris, W., Norris-Parish, S. L., &amp; Greene-Lippard, P. (2024, May). Rising above the suffering: Assessing agricultural educators with traumatic situations involvement in supporting students with adverse childhood experiences [Oral Presentation]. AAAE National Conference, Manhattan, KS.</p><br /> <p>Palmer, K., Benitez, J. A., Norris-Parish, S., Leggette, H., &amp; Wingenbach, G. (2024, September). The mentor's lens: Evaluating the preparedness and performance of the Science Influencers [Poster Presentation]. WAAAE Research Conference, Chico, CA.</p><br /> <p>Petty, K., Norris-Parish, S. L., &amp; Shukla, M. (2024, January). Education for a new generation: Using online modules for groundwater education [Poster Presentation]. USDA SAS Groundwater Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ.</p>

Impact Statements

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