This study investigates the applicability, practicality, and effectiveness of a low-cost AI foundational model (FM) in agricultural extension through the development, fine-tuning, and evaluation of a custom GPT named Utah PeachBot, built using OpenAI’s GPT platform. The research focused on facilitating real-time, evidence-based advisory service support for Extension agents assisting small-scale peach producers in Utah. Methods involved training the GPT with curated, research-based horticultural resources and assessing model outputs through an expert panel of six Extension agents. Results showed high reliability and accuracy for general inquiries about peach cultivation. However, inconsistencies in regional specificity and the practicality of recommendations emerged as limitations. Feedback indicated a need for iterative fine-tuning of the model through continuous expert feedback and integration of local, context-specific data. Recommendations include a phased approach to implementing customized GPTs in agricultural advisory services to improve information dissemination, decision-making quality, and operational efficiency within extension systems.

We assessed the impact of Oklahoma State University’s 2018 MWFI on its participants, i.e., Fellows, approximately five years after they returned home. Twenty-five Fellows from 20 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) nations participated in a six-weeks-long training program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Our follow-up study sought to determine the Fellows’ satisfaction regarding the training, the primary benefits and achievements attributed to it, and the training-related developments of the Fellows’ businesses they selected to share. We collected quantitative and qualitative data to answer three questions, including a narrated photovoice request. Most Fellows indicated that they were satisfied with the training and would not have been equipped to improve their businesses without its contributions to their development. As such, results were supported conceptually by human capital theory. More planning by the funder who places Fellows and by the Institute’s providers may better address some Fellows’ specific learning needs and interests not fully met. Additional longitudinal studies, including economic analyses, are warranted.

This study examined agriscience teachers’ beliefs regarding how a professional development (PD) experience illuminated the importance of integrating STEM into the floriculture curriculum. Sixteen teachers from 12 states were selected through a competitive application process to participate in a USDA-NIFA funded PD program. The PD included five months of virtual sessions and a 10-day domestic travel experience, exposing participants to the floral distribution channel, site visits with industry professionals, and hands-on learning with scientists. Q methodology was used to explore participants’ beliefs. Teachers sorted 36 statements, developed using Ajzen’s (1991) Theory of Planned Behavior, into a quasi-normal distribution. Factor analysis revealed three belief types: (a) STEM Advocates, (b) STEM Illuminators, and (c) Illumination Attempters. STEM Advocates emphasized the importance of STEM for critical thinking and student engagement. STEM Illuminators valued technical STEM content knowledge gained through PD. Illumination Attempters acknowledged STEM’s importance but reported a need for additional support and training. Findings suggest immersive, content-specific PD can positively influence teachers’ self-efficacy and behavioral intentions. We recommend additional support tailored to teacher needs and use of Q methodology to explore how teacher beliefs influence instructional behaviors.

Research on the needs of school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teachers has been conducted since 1983, driven by historic attrition within the profession, yet we do not have the depth of understanding necessary to provide actionable change to SBAE teachers to empower and support them in their practice. The Conceptual Model of Support for School-Based Agricultural Education Teachers was used to frame this study's purpose of establishing an instrument that takes a more human lens to support SBAE teachers. The instrument resulted in five components including personal needs, intracurricular program needs, relationship needs within the school and community, classroom/instructional needs, and school-based support needs with a total of 46 items validated through the principal component analysis with .60 reliability for all 46 items was indicated with a Cronbach’s alpha of .951. Recommendations include evaluating the humanistic needs of in-service SBAE teachers. Additionally, preservice teacher preparation programs should use the instrument to evaluate SBAE teacher aspirants during their student teaching internship. Future research should consider the current needs of SBAE teachers using the validated instrument to determine opportunities to increase the level of effectiveness and individual wellness of SBAE teachers.

This is the annual State of the Journal report for Advancements in Agricultural Development. 2024 was another great year for AAD. First, we formed a new partnership to elevate the digital presence of research published in AAD. Second, we published our first special issue. Third, we refined several policies to provide greater clarity for our authors. In this report, we also provide the journal statistics for 2024 and list all our reviewers for 2024.

This study presents a program review of a Cooperating Teacher Preparation and Support Program intervention within school-based agricultural education teacher preparation programs, employing Diffusion of Innovations and the Concerns-Based Adoption Model to explore the adoption behaviors of agricultural education teacher preparation university program coordinators. The study reveals the crucial role of formalized preparation and ongoing support for cooperating teachers in fostering successful mentorship experiences during student teaching internships. Drawing from the insights of program coordinators, the findings highlighted the program’s compatibility with existing structures, addressing gaps in cooperating teacher training. The Diffusion of Innovations characteristics—relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, observability, and trialability—are pivotal in shaping coordinators’ perceptions and decisions. Concerns-Based Adoption Model stages of concern, ranging from informational to refocusing, illuminate the evolution of coordinators’ concerns during the adoption process. The study contributes essential insights into the complexities of implementing mentorship programs, emphasizing the need for ongoing support, collaboration, and adaptation. Recommendations advocate for integrating structured mentorship programs in teacher preparation, collaboration among universities, and a culture of continuous evaluation.

The spread of ill information with or without the intention of deceiving or causing harm has negatively impacted agricultural development both in social and digital spaces. This has led to a lack of trust in adopting new technologies and practices, which has hindered the process of facilitating agricultural development. Although the study of agri-food misinformation is still in its early stages, this paper draws on a scoping review of existing literature and lessons learned from other fields, such as political science and public health, which have extensive experience in combating misinformation in social settings. The article explores how Farmer Field Schools (FFS), a popular participatory and community-based approach, can incorporate media literacy education and how a local agricultural information hub, platform approach and a relatively new approach called technology stewardship in agricultural extension can help those working in the agri-food industry combat misinformation.

This study examined the relationship between internet access type and perceptions of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) Technologies among beef producers in a specific state. Using data collected from an internet-based survey of beef producers (n = 137), this study conducted an exploratory factor analysis to construct variables corresponding to Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) attributes that influence innovation adoption. Findings indicate producers with cable, cellular, and broadband internet access had more favorable perceptions of PLF technologies in terms of barriers to adoption, while those with no internet access or satellite connections reported higher perceived complexity with the use of PLF technologies. Trialability and observability varied across internet types, suggesting hands-on experience and practical demonstrations might be more impactful for certain groups. Beef producers with satellite internet connections were more likely to perceive the need to trial PLF technologies before adoption. This study highlights the importance of internet access in rural areas and its potential impact on the adoption of PLF technologies, offering valuable insights for industry stakeholders and policymakers to promote the adoption of PLF technologies.

Climate change is the primary environmental threat to subsistence farmers’ productivity in Peru. Adaptation is promoted as the best mechanism to cope with climate change in subsistence agricultural livelihoods. However, climatic adaptability depends on the resources the farmer has access to or can use, which are not always adequate to respond effectively to the speed and aggressiveness of climate change. This study explored the local factors and dynamics (assets) influencing the climate adaptability processes of subsistence farmers in Huayhuay, Peru. Twenty subsistence farmers participated in semi-structured interviews within a basic qualitative design. The results brought to light 18 local factors and dynamics that influence the coping mechanisms of climate adaptability. These findings support other investigations that demonstrate the difficulty of climate change adaptation agricultural communities face. The difficulty of climate change adaptation has rooted the interrelationships of assets of different natures within the same adaptive process. Future research and interventions should encourage the active participation of farmers in local climate action and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of farmers' adaptability mechanisms, considering the role of each local-scale factor and dynamic.

The purpose of this study was to examine [State] consumers’ perceptions related to GM products, and how those perceptions and preferences differ based on consumers’ characteristics. Survey respondents held overall neutral but slightly negative perceptions of GM products. While they agreed GM products can help increase food production, they also expressed perceptions that GM products can cause illnesses such as cancer, autism, allergies, and gluten intolerance. Respondents also expressed beliefs that GM products are not good for the environment. Participants in the middle-income bracket had more positive perceptions of GM products than those in the lower and higher brackets. Respondents who always did the majority of the grocery shopping also had significantly more positive perceptions of organic products than respondents who were responsible for the majority of the grocery shopping about half the time. For industry practitioners, there should be targeted and simplified messaging to reduce the information load. Specifically, research suggests GM messaging that emphasizes subjective norms, utilizes infographics, is congruent with consumer values, and highlights GM benefits rather than risks. Information campaigns utilizing targeted audience segmentation, namely income and grocery shopping responsibility, are also a viable solution to increase consumer GM product perceptions.