Abstract: Study abroad programs can make meaningful contributions to undergraduate agribusiness education and can be designed and executed to effectively contribute to a campus and departmental culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). To be most effective in furthering goals of inclusive excellence, program faculty should understand the unique challenges and opportunities associated with agribusiness-focused study abroad programs and common barriers to participation of underrepresented minority (URM) students. This article describes the experience of faculty and staff during the program design, scholarship fundraising, and student recruitment for an “Agribusiness in Mexico” program at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). This case shows how insights and evidence from the literature on inclusivity in study abroad programs relate to the needs of agribusiness industry employers for improved cultural and linguistic competency among their workforces. The article offers specific conclusions and recommendations for program development related to location and topic of study, securing industry involvement and financial support for the program, and establishing scholarship and program timelines that minimize barriers for students with financial need. "

Abstract: Extension takes many forms, with a common thread to provide scientific information to a diverse audience on a variety of topics. This research examines awareness and use of Extension-related information from different entities (e.g., state Departments of Agriculture, private businesses, and other public entities), overall experience with Extension output from different entities, and use of different types of Cooperative Extension programming (e.g., youth development, food safety, and animal production). Using data from a 2021 survey of around 4,000 U.S. residents, most respondents were aware of or used information from a variety of sources and were not limited to their own state Extension and outreach sources. Depending on the program area, around 30–40 percent of respondents were interested but not using or attending Extension or outreach programming. Several demographic factors were associated with higher or lower awareness and use including age, race, gender, political affiliation, urbanicity, and connection to agriculture. Respondents found information and Extension agents to be somewhat reliable to extremely reliable. Finding ways to motivate "

Abstract: Understanding factors affecting student performance in online exams can help improve the accuracy and equity of performance assessment tools. While there is a significant body of literature dating back to the 1980s on the accurate assessment of performance in traditional in-person exams, the literature evaluating online exams in online classroom settings has been scarce. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online course offerings along with online exams in these courses have surged, leading to a renewed interest in understanding the extent to which formatting of exam questions could affect students’ grades. This study contributes to the literature on student exam performance in online classes by evaluating how scores are affected by two exam formatting treatments: ordering exam questions by chapter number and by question difficulty level. Two exams were administered in an online Agricultural Marketing class in two consecutive semesters. We investigate the treatment effects on average exam scores and exam grade distributions. The results show that neither type of exam formatting treatment has a significant impact on grade outcomes."

Abstract: Many higher education institutions strive to provide applied training to their students, such as by encouraging internships and including experiential learning activities in courses. This article summarizes students’ participation in an outreach program as an alternative form of receiving applied training while attending college. Funded by a governmental grant and implemented by faculty and students, an interdisciplinary food safety outreach program provided a learn-by-doing opportunity to students. This article summarizes students’ participation in the project under the leadership of faculty and concludes with a brief list of best practices for involving students in similar future projects."

Abstract: This case study is motivated by recent developments in the U.S. peanut industry involving allegations of an illegal exercise of buyer market power by the three largest peanut buyers (peanut shellers) in the country. They purchased raw peanuts directly from peanut growers. Peanut growers filed a class action antitrust lawsuit alleging that these buyers engaged in a price-fixing conspiracy aiming to suppress and stabilize prices of peanuts paid to peanut growers beginning in 2014. The case study introduces economic, business, and legal issues related to the alleged peanut price-fixing cartel. The case study presents economic models that help explain conduct and performance of the peanut industry in the analyzed setting, and it includes basic market and price analysis. The intended audiences are undergraduate and graduate students, as well as extension and outreach communities. A teaching note summarizes student learning objectives, teaching strategies, and student background knowledge. The teaching note also includes multiple-choice questions, as well as suggested answers and guidance to analytical, discussion, and multiple-choice questions."

Abstract: The management decision process is often complex and multidimensional with various competing factors. The type of leadership, the approach for analysis, and a priori beliefs factor into decision making. This case provides an example of how multifaceted management decisions are in the context of profitability, risk, uncertainty, succession, and leadership frameworks using a comprehensive economic analysis for a fictional poultry operation. Students are asked to apply concepts in financial analysis, risks analysis, and critical thinking to provide a realistic management decision based on all these concepts. The issues in the case relate to natural disasters, farm succession planning, leadership frameworks, and farm survivability. The case provides flexibility in approach and concept rigor based on the course."