U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory: Mandan, ND
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                                    Software
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    Employment
                        Work With Us
                                    ARS Vacancies at USDAJOBS
                    Local News
                        INTEGRATOR
                                    Bottom Line Ag SummitSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Plains Area Mandan, North Dakota Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications
- IACUC Executive Minutes

Title:   Author  item
                                            ANDRANGO, GRACIELA - Kansas State Universityitem
                                            BERGTOLD, JASON - Kansas State Universityitem
                                            Archer, Daviditem
                                            FLORA, CORNELIA - Kansas State University
  Submitted to: Open Agriculture Journal
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 4/25/2016
                                    Publication  Date: 5/13/2016
                                    Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/63065Citation: Andrango, G.C., Bergtold, J., Archer, D.W., Flora, C. 2016. Assessing extension and outreach education levels for biofuel feedstock production in the Western United States. Open Agriculture Journal. 1:29-36.Interpretive Summary: If the biofuel industry is to be successful, effective ways to educate farmers, government, and agribusiness about producing bioenergy crops is needed. Extension and outreach education are used to deliver research, knowledge, and information to producers and agribusiness. A survey of extension and outreach agents in 10 western states showed that they need additional training on bioenergy crop production, especially on economics and logistical aspects. In addition, extension and outreach agents preferred to use field days, seminars, face-to-face community education events, and the internet to deliver information. However, there were some differences for different regions and for different types of extension and outreach agents. This research helps advance the biofuel industry by identifying information gaps and effective methods to fill these gaps for bioenergy crop production.
                                Technical Abstract: A growing biofuels industry requires the development of effective methods to educate farmers, government, and agribusiness about biofuel feedstock production if the market is going to significantly expand beyond first generation biofuels. Extension and outreach education provides a conduit for important research, knowledge and information to be disseminated to producers and agribusiness that can utilize the information to help establish biofuel feedstock enterprises and markets. This paper presents the results of a survey administered to extension and outreach agents in 10 western states in the United States to assess the current state of knowledge of extension and outreach agents, their needs regarding feedstock production, and mechanisms used for outreach to their clientele. Results indicate that extension and outreach agents require additional training on biofuel feedstock production, especially economic and logistical aspects. In addition, extension and outreach agents showed a preference for learning using alternative methods, including field days, seminars, face-to-face, community education events, and the internet. Results differ by region and type of extension and outreach agent.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov