The development of the East African Literature Service (EALS) is discussed. (2 references) (Author/SJ)

Environmental quality is essential for all human activities. The relationship of environmental issues to other societal concerns such as the economy, agricultural productivity, and human health must be considered or human populations will perish. (WB)

Addressing recent criticisms of rural sociology (theoretical closure, methodological monism), this article presents a new set of questions for research and illustrates how structural and interpretative concerns may be employed in a comprehensive manner to illuminate an area of substantive interest--the role and nature of the agricultural sciences.…

Documenting the impact of technological advancements upon the American farmer, this article describes a rural California county where the small farmers have had to sell or lease their land to larger enterprises who then recruit Mexican American farm workers to replace the labor once provided by the small farmer. (JC)

Responses from 141 of 222 secondary agriculture teachers in North Carolina revealed generally positive attitudes about block scheduling. It has substantially increased the number of agriculture students but had little impact on instructional quality or supervised agricultural experience and substantial negative impact on Future Farmers of America.…

Explains the benefits and risks of genetically-modified foods and describes methods for genetically modifying food. Presents a laboratory experiment using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect foreign DNA in genetically-modified food. (Contains 18 references.) (YDS)

With usable responses from 281 of 689 Iowa elementary teachers, a multiple linear regression model identified four teacher characteristics (perception of agriculture integration, grade level, agriculture classes, agriculture experience) that accounted for 20% of variance in the number of agriculture awareness activities they conducted. Positive…

Agricultural education encompasses basic sciences and business management principles. Critical curriculum components are (1) technical agriculture (basic principles, functions, and technical specialties of agriculture); (2) experiential learning; and (3) human development. (SK)

Presents a laboratory exercise that uses a simple imaging technique to illustrate the profound effects that living roots exert on the pH of the surrounding soil environment. Achieves visually stimulating results that can be used to reinforce lectures on rhizosphere pH, nutrient availability, plant tolerance of soil acidity, microbial activity, and…