ERIC Number: EJ1163533
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1042-0541
EISSN: N/A
Evaluation of an Annual Community-Focused Agricultural Literacy Event
Sandlin, M'Randa R.; Perez, Kauahi
Journal of Agricultural Education, v58 n3 p293-309 2017
Agricultural literacy programs are effective pathways to informally teach the public about agriculture through stakeholder (attendee and exhibitor) interaction. Such programs are generally evaluated using attendee feedback but fail to include exhibitors' experience. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a local community agricultural event by (a) exploring attendee agricultural literacy, purchasing behavior, and overall experience at the event, and (b) exploring exhibitor experiences at the same event. Attendees and exhibitors were given electronic surveys to provide quantitative and qualitative feedback as it pertained to the event's educational programming aspects. Attendees reported positive attitudes and perceptions of locally produced agricultural goods. Exhibitors reported satisfaction with the event and found the interactive digital scavenger hunt to be an effective way to interact with attendees and increase exposure to their business. Suggestions from attendees and exhibitors were concerned with pre-event communication and event logistics. The findings identify areas where education could be beneficial (e.g., nutritional information, impact of purchasing locally grown agricultural products, and where to find/purchase locally grown agricultural products). We recommend including attendee and exhibitor feedback to evaluate and improve similar agricultural literacy programs to guide marketing strategies and to better engage attendees and exhibitors with integrated learning activities.
Descriptors: Agricultural Education, Interaction, Exhibits, Feedback (Response), Attitude Measures, Satisfaction, Program Effectiveness, Community Programs, Audiences, Program Evaluation, Purchasing, Experience, Online Surveys, Rating Scales, Agriculture
American Association for Agricultural Education. P.O. Box 7607, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, Raleigh, NC 27695. Web site: http://www.aaaeonline.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Hawaii
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A