Describes a variety of ways in which extension specialists can support and supplement the K-12 science curriculum in Missouri. Includes a description of the Missouri Mastery Achievement Test (MMAT) and its use in assessing agricultural literacy. (DDR)

Soil science provides the educational framework to integrate components of earth science systems, to understand the causes and consequences of spatial variability, and view dynamic processes impacting ecosystems in a holistic perspective. This book, a special publication of the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), identifies and analyzes…

This is the sixth issue of Social Sciences in Forestry which provides a current annotated bibliographic listing of references related to four major areas of forestry. The main categories include: (1) applications to forestry at large (containing citings on resources, history, legislation, economics, education, research, technology, and…

These charts present an overview of the current economic health of American agriculture. The charts move from the national and international arenas to farm economic health measures and crop and livestock trends. A small amount of descriptive narrative accompanies most of the charts. Charts depicting the economic picture of U.S. agriculture include…

Part of a series of eight student learning modules in vocational agriculture, this booklet deals with plant reproduction. Topics covered include the pure line theory and its history, pure line selection, the effect of inbreeding on vitality, the definition of and reasons for hybridization in plants, and techniques for producing hybirds; a list of…

Describes a computer program, Residue Management, which is designed to supplement discussions on the Universal Soil Loss Equation and the impact of tillage on soil properties for introductory soil courses. The program advances the user through three stages of residue management. Information on obtaining the program is also included. (ML)

Describes the organization of a crop production systems course for undergraduates in agriculture. Emphasis is placed on problem solving and student interaction and co-operation while working on grain farms and in the classroom. Samples of student evaluations of the course are included. (ML)

This paper is the first of a two-part series which discusses the findings related to lecture information in beginning crop science courses offered in Land Grant institutions. Survey results revealed considerable differences regarding course organization and teaching methods, but similarities in overall goals and topic areas. (ML)

Discussed is the use of two short writing assignments and a peer review system in an undergraduate agronomy course to improve writing skills and the learning of agronomic principles. Provided is a course description and procedures used in the course. Student evaluation in the course is reviewed. (CW)

Described is a support program that guides prospective college teachers in teaching an introductory soil science laboratory course. Ideas are presented about the preparation for teaching and concerns of teaching assistants. A table citing classroom observation protocol is included. (RT)

Outlined are procedures used in a techniques class designed to develop communication skills in graduate students. The use of feedback in sessions, value of the class, student evaluations, and conclusions are explained. Tables include evaluation form, student opinion results, and mean scores on evaluation of major projects and assessment of the…

Presents a role for indigenous knowledge in extension education and research programs. Defines indigenous knowledge and then predicts efforts to utilize indigenous knowledge to facilitate the development of agriculture systems that will be agronomically, environmentally, and economically sound and enhance acceptance by practitioners because of the…

The University of Minnesota trapped and killed birds to reduce bird damage to research grain plots. When the Animal Rights Coalition demanded the practice be stopped, the situation became a public controversy. Presents an abridged form of this case as a focus for consideration of research methods, interest group agenda, and the universities' role…

It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep graduate students in forage and range science connected to producers and grazingland resources in the USA. Students must take an integrated systems approach to understanding the complexity of our grazinglands and their role in addressing critical issues. This can best be conveyed to the student by…

Bridging the areas of political-economic sociology, the sociology of agriculture and environmental sociology, this study tests two hypotheses derived from a refined theory of foreign investment dependence. The hypotheses state that pesticide and fertilizer use intensity in less-developed countries are both positively associated with foreign…