OSU Extension in Urban Communities: A Case Study

With a presence in all 88 Ohio counties, Ohio State University Extension strives to engage citizens within urban, rural, and suburban communities. As populations have shifted, so has the need of Ohio’s urban counties. Thus, to help ensure Extension remains vibrant, relevant, and accessible in all communities, a team of faculty, staff, and students conducted a case study, focusing on the National Urban Extension Leaders four themes of position- ing, programs, personnel, and partnerships. The data provided insight into what Extension can do to address the urban context of scale, diversity, complexity, and urban-rural interface.

Development and Evaluation of a Research-Driven Health Communication Campaign to Increase Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among SNAP-Eligible Ohio Adults

Background: Despite evidence of the protective effects of a diet high in fruits and vegetables, intake among Ohio adults remains low. A health communication campaign is an attractive behavior change intervention due to its potential to reach a large audience. Focus of the Article: This study aims to examine the development of a state-level health communication campaign and to assess outcome measures relative to fruit and vegetable intake. Research Question: Two research questions were evaluated: (1) How did Ohio State University Extension use formative research to inform the campaign’s development? and (2) Was campaign exposure associated with increased fruit and vegetable consumption or readiness to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among the target audience comprising Ohio adults eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)? Program Design/Approach: Ohio State University Extension conducted extensive formative evaluation prior to developing the Celebrate Your Plate health communication campaign. The campaign was designed to increase the target audiences’ fruit and vegetable consumption, reinforce messages taught in nutrition education classes, and reach a larger segment of the population with messages promoting healthy behaviors. The campaign was implemented statewide through a multi-year phased rollout and comprised a mix of printed and digital communication channels and an accompanying website. Supportive individual- and community-level programming was also implemented by Ohio State University Extension as part of a multilevel approach to increasing fruit and vegetable intake. Importance to the Social Marketing Field: The limited existing research on the effectiveness of health communication campaigns to increase consumption of healthy foods largely focuses on national campaigns and this study examines effectiveness of a locally tailored campaign. Methods: This study comprised a mixed-methods multi-stage evaluation: qualitative data were collected in four pilot counties to assess the target audience’s awareness and reception of the campaign and recommendations for future efforts. Cross-sectional post-implementation outcome evaluation data were collected and analyzed to assess campaign exposure and behaviors of the target audience. Results: During the pilot evaluation, the target audience responded positively to campaign materials and identified the perceived cost of healthy recipes as a main barrier to changing eating patterns. After the campaign was rolled out statewide, approximately 18% of the target audience indicated exposure to Celebrate Your Plate in aided recall. Campaign exposure was significantly associated with higher fruit ( p < .001) and vegetable ( p < .001) consumption. The Stages of Change model was used to conceptualize readiness to increase fruit and vegetable consumption; campaign exposure was significantly associated with readiness to increase fruit ( p = .001) and vegetable ( p = .027) consumption. Recommendations for Research or Practice: Results of this study show that campaign exposure is significantly associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption and readiness to consume more fruits and vegetables among the target audience, though more rigorous evaluation is needed to determine causality. Limitations: This study included cross-sectional data and lacked a control group and consequently cannot be used to determine if behavioral observations resulted from campaign exposure. Additionally, this study relied on self-reported data and is susceptible to response biases.

Ohio State University Extension Nursery, Landscape, and Turf Team: Teamwork at Its Best

The Ohio State University (OSU) Extension Nursery, Landscape, and Turf Team (ENLTT) is an innovative and interdisciplinary team comprised of extension agents, extension specialists, researchers, teaching faculty, university arboretum staff, and research assistants. ENLTT has greatly improved the process of acquisition, delivery, and support of accurate, practical, and timely educational resources through interdisciplinary and industry partnerships. The award-winning weekly electronic newsletter Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL) has been the focal point of our teamwork since 1993. An ornamental research circular, authored and edited by ENLTT members, remains the most requested publication from the Section of Communication and Technology, Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center, OSU. Strong partnership with the green industry in Ohio has resulted in the financial commitment of more than $230,000 from the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association since 1993. ENLTT members have improved themselves as a result of educating each other through weekly BYGL conference calls from April to October, taking study tours, and conducting joint educational programs. Twenty-two commodity or issue teams, such as, Floriculture Team, Vegetable Crops Team, Tree Fruit Team, Forestry Team, Agronomic Crops Team, Sustainable Agriculture Team, and Dairy Team, have been formed in OSU Extension due to the success of ENLTT.