View Poster Application

OSU WINTER FEEDING FORUM: SHARED CHALLENGES, REAL ALTERNATIVES, AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS

Extension Education

Barbi Riggs
Extension Agent
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
PRINEVILLE

Abstract

A marked decline in student participation in traditional Extension programs targeting cow/calf producers was observed. Conventional Extension workshops employing a lecture format became less relevant and appealing to our clientele. One hundred and ten cow/calf producers throughout central and eastern Oregon participated in the OSU Winter Feeding Forum Program (WFF) that employed a non-traditional participatory learning format. Participants were allowed to guide program direction and content by submitting questions about winter feeding. Lecture was strictly avoided. A pilot extension program was held at two locations involving multi-disciplinary specialists with expertise in beef cattle nutrition and management, rangeland ecology and management, and forage management. The team facilitated discussion and provided technical assistance while participants practiced problem solving. The program delivery method lead to producer initiated follow-up programs (4 invited forums from fall of 2008 to winter of 2009), requests from producers to start more intensive group classes using the same format, and requests to provide more intimate communication with the participants. Evaluation of the OSU WFF indicated Extension programs employing a participatory learning format inspired cow/calf producers to find new ways to adapt tools and information to better suit their particular needs. Encouraging students to guide the program’s content helped ensure the tools and information provided were relevant to participants’ needs. Various tools and techniques were adopted by students at rates ranging from 30% to 70%. Longer-term follow-up evaluation indicated the learning environment led to lasting behavioral changes among students and resulted in positive economic impact among 65% of the students.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

A poster file has not been provided

Authors: B.A. Riggs, D. Johnson, D. Bohnert
  1. Riggs, B. Extension Agent, Oregon State University Extension Service, Crook County, Oregon, 97754
  2. Johnson, D. Extension Agent, Oregon State University Extension Service, Harney County, Oregon, 97720
  3. Bohnert, D. Extension Specialist, Oregon State University Extension Service, EOARC-Burns, Oregon, 97720