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Viral Headlines: An Analysis of Avian Influenza Risk Perceptions Based on News Headlines
No full textThe United States saw a rise in Avian Influenza cases between 2023 and 2024, with 70 human cases, including one death (CDC, 2025). This has received media attention due to its potential impact on public health (Shapiro et al., 2021). Perceptions of risk associated with zoonotic diseases are influenced by engagement with and reliance on the media (Nui et al., 2020). The purpose of this study was to determine how media framing of headlines related to Avian Influenza outbreaks influenced undergraduate students\u27 risk perceptions and perceptions of the agricultural food system. A quasi-experimental design between two treatment groups was used. One group was shown media headlines reporting Avian Influenza outbreaks and responded to questions without a science communication intervention. Another group was shown the headlines and received a science communication intervention before responding to survey questions. The agenda-setting theory guided the study design and interpretation of data. Results showed that second-level agenda-setting effects were significantly greater in the group where the science intervention was completed before the survey, when compared to the group that did not receive the intervention. Results also showed a significant difference in the agricultural food system’s perception scores for groups who received the intervention before the survey, compared to those who did not. Results demonstrate the importance of science communication during a zoonotic disease crisis. It is recommended that science communication interventions for real-world issues be included in the agricultural communication curriculum. Future research should explore strategies to enhance the effectiveness of science communication interventions
Bring on The Brand: Orchestrating Extension\u27s Brand Message Through Audience Tone and Feedback
No full textCooperative Extension systems play a vital role in communicating science advancements to communities; however, success in this area relies on communities’ awareness and trust of the services provided. This study aimed to understand the brand of a state Extension system through a deep exploration of the perceptions of internal and external stakeholders. To gain insights from a wide range of stakeholders, an online form was made available to collect thoughts and opinions related to the [State] Extension system. The form was accessible during the fall of 2023. A total of 150 individuals shared their experiences with the Extension system. Major themes emerged from the analysis, reflecting the interests of [State] Extension stakeholders, including both positive and negative perspectives. For example, within the theme of organizational culture and dynamics, respondents highlighted concerns about [State] Extension becoming fractured and tone-deaf over time in keeping up with evolving trends in Extension education. Conversely, respondents commended [State] Extension for its efforts in fostering relationships with clientele and promoting a healthy working culture. Results from this study identified marketing as a major challenge, with stakeholders noting a perceived inadequacy in reaching new audiences and emphasizing the importance of prioritizing clientele outreach. Additionally, key themes highlighted the need to address issues such as pay scale enhancement, opportunities for career growth to attract more employees, and addressing public knowledge gaps related to Extension and specific programming
Overlapping and Mixing Residual Herbicide Programs for Weed Control in Grain Sorghum
No full textA strong preemergence herbicide program is an essential best management practice for multiple herbicide-resistant weeds. Palmer amaranth is a prolific seed producer that has evolved resistance to 6 herbicide sites-of-action in Kansas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of overlapping and mixing residual herbicide programs with different sites-of-action for weed control in grain sorghum. Results showed that preemergence herbicide treatments controlled the Palmer amaranth (97%-100%) and puncturevine (97%-99%), 15 days after application. At 43 days after treatment, Outlook + Aatrex 4L and Parallel + Aatrex 4L provided the least control of Palmer amaranth (88%) and puncturevine (61%-74%) compared to other herbicide combinations, including Bicep Lite II Magnum + Callisto, FulTime NXT + Callisto, Lumax EZ + Aatrex 4L, Lumax EZ fb Degree Xtra, Lexar EZ, Lumax EZ fb Outlook + Aatrex 4L, Outlook + Aatrex 4L and Parallel + Aatrex 4L (97%-100%). Palmer amaranth and puncturevine control with Bicep Lite II Magnum at 1.5 qt/aa + Callisto at 5 oz/a or Bicep Lite II Magnum at 1.9 qt/a + Callisto at 5 oz/a showed no differences, indicating that higher rates of Bicep Lite II Magnum in combination with Callisto did not offer additional weed control benefits compared to the lower rate. Sorghum injury ranged from 2% to 10% 15 days after treatments and was not greater than 4% 22 days after treatment, suggesting that these herbicides can be safely applied to sorghum for weed control under favorable environmental conditions. Sorghum yield was not different among the pre-emergence herbicide treatments, ranging from 87 to 98 bu/a. However, the herbicide programs that provided 88% control of Palmer amaranth are not advisable given the prolific seed-producing nature of this weed and its consequences on soil seedbank replenishment and its ability to evolve resistance to herbicides targeting multiple sites-of-action
Intrava DX Tank Mixtures for Weed Control in Corn
No full textIntrava DX is a new premix herbicide for potential use in fallow and corn. Data from Manhattan showed Intrava DX provided exceptional (≥ 95%) weed control of key weed species when applied preemergence (PRE) to corn. Corn injury was less than 6%, and no difference was observed in grain yield. At Garden City, most Intrava DX treatments provided greater than 90% visual weed control throughout the season. Weed densities were reduced by more than 90%, and grain yields were 3.8 to 4.2 times higher when corn received Intrava DX compared to the weedy controls. Intrava DX may be an important component of an integrated weed management system to combat resistance
2025 Western Kansas Agricultural Research Report
No full textSummary of research conducted in 2024-2025 and prior years on field production and management practices for crops in western Kansas. Published in 2025 from the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
A Critique of Beautiful News: Positive Trends, Uplifting Stats, Creative Solutions
No full textThis book review is a critical evaluation of the David McCandless\u27 book titled, Beautiful News: Positive Trends, Uplifting Stats, Creative Solutions. In this critique we summarize the essence of the written work and connect the work to the field of agricultural communications and applied practices. We offer some insights into contradictions we viewed from the perspective and expectations of data visualization strategies for communicating information. Finally, we recommend the book for those seeking inspiration for data visualization design and those needing a push to think outside the traditional strategies used in the field
Applying Gain or Loss Framing in Promotional Email Messages to Encourage Event Attendance for Agricultural Educator Global Learning Professional Development
No full textEncouraging agricultural educators to attend professional development events can be a challenge given that educators have many responsibilities and time commitments. Applying prospect theory to communication, we created gain or loss framed recruitment messages that encouraged participation in an online community dedicated to global agricultural educator empowerment to better understand what message designs may encourage participation. In an online experiment, participants were randomly assigned to view the loss or gain message that promoted a real, upcoming community event. The loss frame messages emphasized what participants would miss out on if they did not attend. Conversely, the gain frame highlighted the benefits of attending the event. We found no main effect of message frame (gain or loss) on attitudes toward the event or intentions to attend the event. We found a marginally significant result on efficacy perceptions, in which the loss frame engendered higher levels of efficacy to engage in the online community compared to the gain frame message. Moreover, involvement in the community (one’s existing perception that the community is important and relevant to them) predicted their event attitudes and intentions. Thus, one’s involvement with the organization mattered more than the message wording to promote an event in the context of this non-formal education event. Future research should explore what other message strategies may work to encourage overall participation and what other strategies work to specifically engage low involvement participants to attend agricultural professional development events
Choose Your Own Adventure: Finding Joy in Designing and Thriving in a New Faculty Role
No full textIn the summer of 2024, Wichita State University Libraries introduced new faculty librarian positions within Research and Instruction services including an Assessment & User Experience Librarian and a Student Success Librarian. As these roles are newly established, library administration left expectations largely undefined beyond a few key responsibilities. Both positions were filled in October 2024 by individuals without comparable faculty library experience, presenting challenges and opportunities for these new faculty members as they find joy in “choosing their own adventure.” While distinct, these roles complement each other in their functional titles and offer several paths for the future.
This presentation will share insight into the experience of new faculty in these positions from day-to-day work to navigating the tenure and promotion process. We seek to provide first-hand knowledge for those who may be involved in creating new faculty librarian positions as well as for individuals stepping into similar roles. As the needs of higher education communities and their libraries change, intentional hiring practices and aligning job descriptions with library goals will be imperative for individual and institutional success. This session will explore how new faculty positions can be structured for success, ensuring they align with institutional needs and professional expectations
Pathways to Glycemic Control: Diabetes Distress as a Mediator of the Impact of the EPICC Intervention in Veterans with Type 2 Diabetes
No full textEmpowering Patients in Chronic Care (EPICC) is a patient-centered intervention that leverages a group-based approach, collaborative goal-setting, and motivational interviewing techniques to improve diabetes outcomes. However, the process by which EPICC’s collaborative goal-setting results in improved diabetes outcomes differs from traditional self-management and may be related to emotion regulation rather than disease centric goals. This study examines the role of diabetes distress in reduction of HbA1c following the EPICC intervention. A cohort of 224 participants with treated but uncontrolled type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive either EPICC or enhanced usual care (EUC). Examination of direct and indirect effects of the relationship between treatment group and improvements in HbA1c revealed that relative to EUC, Veterans in the EPICC group had lower HbA1c post-intervention indirectly through reduction in diabetes distress. These findings underscore the role of psychosocial well-being in diabetes management
Remedial Reading Teacher to Reading Interventionist: The Evolution of a Profession and its Necessary Personality Traits
No full textThis reflective article examines the work of Hurt, Roane, Simms, and Schell (1975), who surveyed remedial reading teachers to identify key personality traits essential to their profession. Their findings are contextualized within a broader historical framework, tracing significant educational policies and milestones that have shaped the field of reading intervention over the past 50 years. The article highlights both the enduring relevance and the evolution of these traits in the transition from remedial reading teachers to modern-day reading specialists. Drawing on practitioner insights, the author proposes additional traits necessary to meet the demands of contemporary literacy education