Extension Networks and Dissemination of Horticultural Advancements: Development and Validation of a Professionalization Instrument
Horticulture is a vast scientific discipline ranging from ornamentals to consumable food, which is constantly evolving. One of primary goals of horticultural innovation is to improve consistency, and predictability, among products. Extension is one of the primary channels connecting innovations and...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Horticulturae |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/9/2/245 |
| _version_ | 1797620705359036416 |
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| author | Kevan W. Lamm Alexa J. Lamm Kristin Davis Catherine Sanders Alyssa Powell Jiyea Park |
| author_facet | Kevan W. Lamm Alexa J. Lamm Kristin Davis Catherine Sanders Alyssa Powell Jiyea Park |
| author_sort | Kevan W. Lamm |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Horticulture is a vast scientific discipline ranging from ornamentals to consumable food, which is constantly evolving. One of primary goals of horticultural innovation is to improve consistency, and predictability, among products. Extension is one of the primary channels connecting innovations and technologies to growers. However, despite the importance of extension in the dissemination of horticultural advancements, there are no standards for the professionalization of extension networks. Therefore, there is a current gap in the ability to ensure consistency amongst extension providers through professionalization at the network level. The goal of the study was to develop and validate an extension professionalization scale to empirically measure the most critical factors associated with extension professionalization within extension networks. Methodologically, the study extends upon previous research which identified specific capacities associated with extension professionalization at the network level. Specifically, an exploratory factor analysis was undertaken to examine the latent factor structure of the previously identified items. The results of this study identified two primary factors associated with extension professionalization in networks: (a) awareness of the need for extension professionalization, and (b) the operational integration of extension professionalization activities at organizational levels. Although there is existing literature examining professionalization, there are no such instruments specifically developed within an extension context. The present study provides an original and novel tool to prepare more rigorously and consistently trained extension professionals to serve and support the horticulture industry. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:45:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f13a6a423348475b91c12c9cc145c012 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2311-7524 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:45:28Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Horticulturae |
| spelling | doaj.art-f13a6a423348475b91c12c9cc145c0122023-11-16T20:50:37ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242023-02-019224510.3390/horticulturae9020245Extension Networks and Dissemination of Horticultural Advancements: Development and Validation of a Professionalization InstrumentKevan W. Lamm0Alexa J. Lamm1Kristin Davis2Catherine Sanders3Alyssa Powell4Jiyea Park5Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USADepartment of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USAInternational Food Policy Research Institute, Pretoria 0028, South AfricaDepartment of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USARaceTrac, Atlanta, GA 30339, USADepartment of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USAHorticulture is a vast scientific discipline ranging from ornamentals to consumable food, which is constantly evolving. One of primary goals of horticultural innovation is to improve consistency, and predictability, among products. Extension is one of the primary channels connecting innovations and technologies to growers. However, despite the importance of extension in the dissemination of horticultural advancements, there are no standards for the professionalization of extension networks. Therefore, there is a current gap in the ability to ensure consistency amongst extension providers through professionalization at the network level. The goal of the study was to develop and validate an extension professionalization scale to empirically measure the most critical factors associated with extension professionalization within extension networks. Methodologically, the study extends upon previous research which identified specific capacities associated with extension professionalization at the network level. Specifically, an exploratory factor analysis was undertaken to examine the latent factor structure of the previously identified items. The results of this study identified two primary factors associated with extension professionalization in networks: (a) awareness of the need for extension professionalization, and (b) the operational integration of extension professionalization activities at organizational levels. Although there is existing literature examining professionalization, there are no such instruments specifically developed within an extension context. The present study provides an original and novel tool to prepare more rigorously and consistently trained extension professionals to serve and support the horticulture industry.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/9/2/245horticultureinternational extension networkprofessionalization capacity |
| spellingShingle | Kevan W. Lamm Alexa J. Lamm Kristin Davis Catherine Sanders Alyssa Powell Jiyea Park Extension Networks and Dissemination of Horticultural Advancements: Development and Validation of a Professionalization Instrument Horticulturae horticulture international extension network professionalization capacity |
| title | Extension Networks and Dissemination of Horticultural Advancements: Development and Validation of a Professionalization Instrument |
| title_full | Extension Networks and Dissemination of Horticultural Advancements: Development and Validation of a Professionalization Instrument |
| title_fullStr | Extension Networks and Dissemination of Horticultural Advancements: Development and Validation of a Professionalization Instrument |
| title_full_unstemmed | Extension Networks and Dissemination of Horticultural Advancements: Development and Validation of a Professionalization Instrument |
| title_short | Extension Networks and Dissemination of Horticultural Advancements: Development and Validation of a Professionalization Instrument |
| title_sort | extension networks and dissemination of horticultural advancements development and validation of a professionalization instrument |
| topic | horticulture international extension network professionalization capacity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/9/2/245 |
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