Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/733
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Item A needs assessment of operational and production practices of Montana beef prodcuers(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2024) Paul, Makayla Rae; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Shannon ArnoldMontana State University Extension provides educational programming for beef producers across the state of Montana. To develop programming opportunities for beef producers in Montana, Extension agents must first identify their needs. To determine the needs of beef producers in Montana, needs assessments should be conducted periodically. The purpose of this study was to explore Montana beef producers' operational and production practices and preferences for educational programming. This study used a descriptive research design. The study utilized a web-based survey for data collection and was distributed to participants utilizing email to examine the characteristics of Montana beef producers. The survey was delivered to county Extension agents employed by Montana State University, agents forwarded the survey information to beef producers located in their counties. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The study identified barriers to attending programming were timing of programming and scheduled dates. The preference of program delivery was identified to be traditional 1-2-hour meetings with applicable research, reading materials, and tools to take home. The data indicated Montana beef producers want education focused on cattle marketing, range management, and virtual fencing. It was also identified that producers utilize pocket-sized books to collect herd level data and most often collecting data on pregnancy rate. Respondents indicated they do not collect herd level data on liver and blood, fecal, and not harvested feedstuffs. When adopting new operational practices, the data declared cost to be a major concern to producers and their biggest daily concern to be cow/calf management. It was recommended for Extension agents to focus programming efforts to provide tools for producers to use on their operations. These tools should include tools to assist with cattle marketing, range management and accounting software. It was recommended for MontGuides to be developed for herd health, reproduction, and sampling of distinct types of feedstuffs and bodily fluid.Item Continued professional development among secondary agricultural education teachers in Uganda, a case study(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2023) Kibirige, Brian; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Dustin PerryThe purpose of study was to identify the existing professional needs among Ugandan secondary agricultural education teachers. This was investigated using the following research objectives: 1. Profile the educational background of Ugandan secondary agricultural education teachers. 2. Identify the kind of continuous professional development activities that Ugandan secondary agricultural education teachers participate in. 3. Assess the perceptions of Ugandan secondary agricultural education teachers towards the available CPD programs. 4. Establish the level of subject content knowledge among majority of Ugandan secondary agricultural education teachers. 5. Determine if pedagogical gaps exist among Ugandan secondary agricultural education teachers.Item Science communication and the advantages of the contextual model in documentaries(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2020) Portuondo, Jessica; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Cindy StillwellDocumentaries can be an effective method for informing the public on agricultural trends and policies. Incorporating the contextual model of science communication into these films is one way to improve public awareness and to explain the complexities of sustainable agricultural practices. A comparison of Food Inc. and the 'Dan Barber' episode of Chef's Table demonstrates how a reliance on the deficit model inhibits the propagation of knowledge about sustainable agriculture. This critique also highlights how a character-based story can function as an educational tool to teach audiences about the value of regenerative food production practices by emotionally connecting with the protagonist.Item Agricultural literacy in Montana preservice elementary educators(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2019) Rianda, Jondie Lee; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Carl IgoA major disconnect in a connected world has occurred, creating a knowledge deficiency in agriculture and its global issues. The purpose of this study was to determine Montana State University preservice elementary educators' perceptions toward agriculture, educating about agriculture, and incorporating agricultural topics within their lessons. Researchers used the diffusion of innovations theory and its five communication channels and five degrees of innovativeness along with the theory of planned behavior as a lens to analyze agricultural literacy awareness. Data included education students enrolled in one or more of the following 2019 spring K-8 methods courses: science, math, social studies, and language arts. Regarding barriers, respondents indicated Time and Funding were the most significant, however, Personal Interest and Reward/Recognition construct item were the most significant benefits. Math Methods students obtained the highest percentages out of all four subject areas regarding their comfort level of potentially utilizing the National Agriculture Literacy Outcomes (NALO), while Language Arts Methods course students had the lowest. Participants' overall confidence to potentially utilize agriculture as a context to teach core academics was low compared to their degree of innovativeness, tendency to adopt the innovation. Findings possess significant recommendations and implications for addressing agricultural literacy in nonagricultural educators to improve teachers' perceptions, and increase their awareness of agricultural concepts to successfully and efficiently utilize agriculture as a context. A variety of approaches can be drawn upon to achieve this goal. First, collaboration between elementary and agricultural education preservice education programs. Second, provide agriculturally-based workshops and professional development opportunities for nonagricultural education majors need to be provided. Third, expand efforts toward in-service educators. Fourth, create an agriculturally integrated K-8 curriculum and standards. Fifth, publish research utilizing specific agricultural literacy terminology in nonagricultural education.Item Assessment of young and beginning producer practices in Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2019) Tintzman, Tyler William; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Shannon ArnoldThe agricultural industry is at a turning point regarding the labor force in the United States. The average age of the existing labor force continues to increase and fewer young and beginning farmers and ranchers (YBFR) are entering production agriculture. The purpose of this research was to gain a better understanding of the experience of YBFR entering production agriculture and the working challenges they are facing. This phenomenological research study utilized semi-structured interviews with active YBFR in Montana to examine their experiences. Following analysis, seven different themes surrounding the experiences of YBFR in Montana were revealed. 1. Access to land, capital, and equipment is a significant barrier for a YBFR to enter production agriculture. 2. Developing a network of peers and finding a mentor within production agriculture is a valuable tool for a YBFR. 3. The use of governmental YBFR programs has a positive impact on the experience. 4. Crop insurance is a valued risk protection tool for YBFR operations. 5. Support from family members and industry peers positively impacts the financial and intellectual experience of a YBFR. 6. Continuing formal and non-formal education on the latest technologies and industry practices can assist a YBFR in creating a competitive business. 7. A thorough understanding of production costs on an agricultural operation will allow a YBFR to make fact based, objective decisions that lead to a more profitable operation. In conclusion, these seven themes were shared across participants to explain what and how they experienced being a YBFR in Montana. Further research should be conducted to better understand the impact of networking, mentorship, and the costs of production.Item Career decisions of agricultural education teaching graduates(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2017) Igo, Ethan Andrew; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Dustin PerryThe purpose of this study was to explore potential influences that shape agricultural education teaching graduates' career decisions. This purpose lends itself to three objectives: 1. Identify potential reasons behind an agriculture education teaching graduate's decision to not enter the profession. 2. Identify potential reasons behind an agriculture education teaching graduate's decision to leave the profession. 3. Identify potential reasons behind an agriculture education teaching graduate's decision to stay in the profession.Item A history of vocational agriculture in Montana through 1960(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1961) Owen, Donald O.Item Perception of Gallatin County 4-H members regarding animal projects(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1995) Dalbey, Matthew David; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: C. Van ShelhamerItem Factors affecting the implementation of agriscience programs in Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1992) Cavey, Brian M.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: C. Van ShelhamerItem New directions for agriculture education in Montana and North Dakota(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1989) Carpentier, Dale Ray; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Douglas D. Bishop