VIRTUAL FIELD DAY IMPROVES ACCESS TO POULTRY EDUCATION
Extension Education
Brad Burbaugh
CED
DeLand
Abstract
\r\n According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, 56% of Florida farms have internet access. Additionally, results from advisory committee meetings indicate that the internet is an underutilized delivery method for educational information for small and beginning farmers. These findings coupled with the fact that an educational field day might not be particularly convenient geographically to a farmer who needed it or because it took time away from actual farming operations led to the development of a poultry production virtual field day. This internet accessible field day was developed to provide growers with the opportunity to access the information usually provided at a field-day. The website addresses broiler and layer production in pasture based systems. Four videos provide an introduction to pasture-based production, directions on starting the birds and an overview of production systems. Seven narrated PowerPoint presentations provide in-depth instruction on nutrition, maximizing foraging behavior and regulations. As a result of this effort, Extension clientele now have a convenient way to virtually attend educational events that meets their time schedule. According to tracking software the site has been accessed 80,257 times and the PowerPoint presentations have been downloaded over 20,020 times since December 2009. Evaluations reveal that 72% of participants (n=553) increased their knowledge of poultry production, processing and marketing. Additionally, 35% have purchased poultry, adopted a rotational grazing system or implemented strategies to maximize foraging behavior. The agents plan to expand the site to include educational materials that address the safe handling of poultry products and other timely topics.
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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.
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Authors: * B. Burbaugh, E. Toro
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Burbaugh, *. Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32254
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Toro, E. Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32064