Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The immediate audience was beef educators. The project focused on beef educators from all beef production regions of the United States. A variety of individuals representing both four-year institutions and allied beef industry professionals was recruited. In the resulting proposal emphasis was placed on educators at institutions with the potential for engaging a greater number of qualified and diverse graduates. Changes/Problems: The focus of providing a new model for beef education did not change. Additional expertise was added in the area of case study development to address the review of the first proposal submitted. During the extension attempts were made to engage new partners. However, the full impact of the model produced was not achieved as additional funding through the NIFA proposal was not available. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? There were no additional opportunities for professional development since the project was not funded. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Throughout the period of the project procedures, progress and results of the strategic planning conference were disseminated via abstracts presented at NACTA conferences. The interactive report in PDF format with video links is available. The video has been posted on YouTube. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A multi-state Comprehensive Beef Education Strategic Planning Conference was held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) on December 5-6, 2011. The purpose of the conference was to gather beef academics and beef professionals and collaborate to develop an innovative way to enhance beef education and foster partnerships to implement innovations. This conference was made possible by a USDA-Higher Education Challenge (HEC) grant (NIFA Award #: 2011-38411-30534). Each state partner was asked to develop a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis to identify the current state of their institution’s beef education program. Following the SWOT analysis, groups of beef educators and beef professionals collaborated to develop models. All models indicated the need to augment discipline-based beef education with interpersonal skills. Case studies, internships, and learning experiences in various environments, both domestic and international, were noted in each model as fundamental components. The educational models developed by conference participants collectively pointed to the need to integrate case studies into the curricula. A project was developed as the first step to address the curriculum development challenges and strategies identified at the conference. The products developed through the proposed project will provide faculty and students with: (1) access to high-quality beef educational materials, (2) an opportunity for developing expertise in the utilization of case studies for beef education, and (3) a central meeting point for the formation of strategic partnerships to build a team for future, large-scale initiatives.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Experiential-Based Learning For Beef Production: Internships To Build Case Studies
Dennis Brink, Dennis Burson, Tom Field, Dann Husmann, Bryan Reiling, Walter Schacht and Matt Spangler. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. NACTA Journal Volume 57, Supplement 1, p.98
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Summary report with video published to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbmN2T4S7YU&feature=youtu.be
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities Three surveys were conducted. A survey of recent graduates from the state partner beef education programs was conducted to identify gaps in the courses completed in their program. A second survey of employers in each of the partner states was conducted to gather information about preparation of graduates from the state partner programs. The third survey was a post-conference survey of participants. Also,each partner also completed a SWOT analysis of their institution's beef education program. Events One major event was conducted.On December 5 and 6, 2011, a strategic planning conference for comprehensive beef education was held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus. The general purpose of the conference was to gather beef academics and professionals in the beef industry and collaborate to develop a new and innovative way to enhance beef education and foster partnerships to implement innovations. Twenty-five beef educators and professionals attended the two-day conference. Products A.Five comprehensive beef education models were conceptualized. The key components of each model were: 1. Curriculum Models must start with the concept of guiding principles (life skills) incorporated throughout the curriculum and then students must be able to: find facts, research findings, appreciate discovery and make application. 2. Students need to communicate well and defend their position within the areas that we have designated: food safety, ecosystems health, genomics and animal welfare. 3. Five major comprehensive beef education components evolved: a.)Freshman seminar concepts - "how to be a student" b.)Faculty Development for integration of life skills through curriculum. c.)Two level beef production classes d.)Internships B. Preliminary commitments of all participants were made to collaborate in the development of the components. Dissemination A. The major outreach activity was to reach out to beef professionals and involve them in the development of new innovative beef education models. Representatives of major affiliated groups associated with the beef industry participated in the conference. B. The results of the surveys and the conference were disseminated by presentations at the 2012 NACTA Conference. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Larry Berger UNL Marvel L. Baker Head of the Department of Animal Science Dr. Don Boggs KSU Associate Dean for Academic Programs for the College of Agriculture Dr. Steve Boyles OSU Associate Professor & Extension Beef Specialist Dr. Dennis Brink UNL Professor Dr. Kelly Bruns SDSU Professor Dr. Darrh Bullock UK Extension Professor, Beef Cattle Genetics Dr. Dennis Burson UNL Professor Dr. Andrea Cupp UNL Professor Dr. Tom Field UNL Director Engler Entrepreneurship Program Dr. Ronnie Green UNL Vice Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dr. Dann Husmann UNL Professor (ALEC) & Associate Dean (CASNR) Dr. Blaine Jenschke Wichita, KS Cargill Meat Solutions R&D Dr. Terry Klopfenstein UNL Professor Jared Knock SDSU Producer Dr. Brad Lubben UNL Assistant Professor & Extension Public Policy Spec. Dr. John Pollak Clay Center, NE Center Director of the U.S. MARC Dr. Daniel Poole NCSU Assistant Professor Dr. Rick Rasby UNL Professor & Extension Beef Specialist Dr. Bryan Reiling UNL Associate Professor Dr. Sandy Smart SDSU Professor Dr. Matt Spangler UNL Assistant Professor & Beef Genetics Extension Spec. Heather Stewart UNL ALEC PhD Candidate and HEC Project Coordinator Burke Teichert Orem, UT Former GM & VP AgReserves, Inc., and Columnist for BEEF Dr. Abe Turgeon Salina, KS Koers-Turgeon Consulting TARGET AUDIENCES: The audience for this project is beef educators. The project engages individuals in beef education from the Universities of Nebraska, Kentucky, North Carolina State, Ohio State, South Dakota State, and Washington State working in conjunction with employers in the beef industry. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The major change is the time-line. The strategic planning conference was held in December of 2011 in hopes of developing the LCI a year earlier than planned so if not funded improvements could be made and the 2013 submission improved. But, with the initial uncertainty in the avaiablity and timeline for request for proposals for 2012 a proposal for 2012 was not submitted.
Impacts
Knowledge A major outcome of the strategic planning conference was change in knowledge of the participants. Beef educators became aware of the challenges and opportunities from each state's perspective related to beef education. The post-conference survey indicated beef educators became aware of new aspects of beef education and potential collaborations to improve beef education in their institutions. Beef educators discovered new approaches to education and important skills graduates must have for successful careers in the beef industry from beef industry professionals. Beef industry professionals learned of the current curriculums in beef education. Actions Although the conference was for planning beef educators leaving the conference indicated they were already planning new ways to incorporate life skills into their courses. Change in Conditions The conference also produced a change in conditions. The beef educators especially demonstrated a change from considering their own individual program to considering cooperative efforts to enhance each other's beef education components.
Publications
- Stewart H., Brink, D., Burson, D., Husmann, D., Rasby R., Reiling, B., Schacht, W., and Spangler M. 2012. Comprehensive Beef Education Strategic Planning Conference. 2012 NACTA/DOCE Conference NACTA Journal, Vol. 55, Supplement 1. University of Wisconsin, River Falls, June 2012.
- Reiling, B., Brink, D., Burson, D., Husmann, D., Rasby R., Schacht, W., Spangler M., and Stewart H. 2012. Current State of Beef Education Relative to Future Needs of the Beef Industry. 2012 NACTA/DOCE Conference NACTA Journal, Vol. 55, Supplement 1. University of Wisconsin, River Falls, June 2012.
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