BA, Oberlin College, 2019, Environmental Studies

Mitigating and adapting to climate change and transitioning to more sustainable agricultural methods to feed a growing human population are fundamental challenges today. Woody agriculture holds potential for addressing both through food production and carbon sequestration. To help assess this potential, in 2011, Oberlin College planted an experimental orchard made up of 70 hybrid hazelnut trees treated with three levels of fertilization. I asked the questions: How does annual allocation of carbon to different tissues change over time as hybrid hazels mature? How much carbon can this system store, where is it stored, and how does this change over time? How does fertilization affect patterns of carbon allocation and long-term storage? Are genetically diverse trees capable of producing nut crops similar in scale to conventional commodity crops in the Midwest? I documented a general increase in the production of all tissues in all treatments. Soil carbon storage increased from 2011 to 2018. The only significant effect of fertilizer is an increase in the production of woody biomass, suggesting hazelnuts are a low input crop. In 2017, this still maturing orchard produced an estimated 2.1 tonnes/hectare of in-shell nuts compared to typical local soybean yields of 3.4 tonnes/hectare. In addition, by the fall of 2018, the hazel plot had stored 12 tonnes/hectare of woody biomass. Although many challenges, including cost-effective harvest remain, work in this small-scale hazelnut orchard suggests strong potential for woody crops as low input, high productivity systems that concurrently sequester carbon.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2016, Agricultural and Extension Education

Agriculture is not a pretty industry. The process of growing and harvesting enough food to feed a growing population of 7.3 billion people is hard and ugly. No matter the frame, practices like applying chemical substances to the soil, modifying the genomic structure of seeds, and housing livestock in confined spaces do not look or sound attractive. Often times, a lack of understanding of these practices causes them to be criticized by consumers, especially the large majority who are disconnected from the farming industry. Our food systems' ability to produce, store, process, and transport massive amounts of food combined with urbanization, industrialization, and consolidation has resulted in very few people knowing how food is produced (Clapp, 2012). While production efficiency is a valuable tenant of modern agriculture, it is also the underpinning of numerous hurdles for agricultural communicators and educators. One of these hurdles is cognitive dissonance. Unfortunately, lack of information, as well as misinformation, has contributed to consumers not always realizing the integral role that “ugly” modern agriculture practices play in avoiding a severe and pervasive food crisis. While people need food, shelter, and clothing, much of which modern production agriculture provides, they are also unfamiliar with the practices used to satisfy these basic human needs. This conflict, or cognitive dissonance, can cause consumers to experience uncertainty and discomfort when confronted with information about the practices in their everyday lives. Cognitive dissonance presents both a challenge and an opportunity to communicators and educators because of its ability to influence a consumer's perception of and subsequent attitude toward a subject. This study aimed to both identify which modern agriculture practices cause consumers to experience the highest levels of cognitive dissonance and evaluate attitudes toward and reactions to news media images of modern agriculture pra (open full item for complete abstract)

Bachelor of Arts, Wittenberg University, 2023, Communication

This study aimed at determining if self-identification with a particular industry or group (in this case, the agriculture industry) affected the way messages about that industry or group were perceived, processed, and interacted upon. The Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) of persuasion predicts how we process and understand content which aims to be persuasive, based on a number of individual differences and situational factors. The model explains when we first see content, we process it in one of two ways: through a central or peripheral route. The peripheral route of processing required little extra consideration and time are given to the message or content versus the central route of processing requiring additional time and reflection with the message or content. In this research, focus was placed on the agriculture industry and attention was particularly paid to identification, credibility, and content and if in any instances these affected participants' route of processing. Participants were shown messages published by either large corporate agriculture organizations like Future Farmers of America (FFA), Soil and Water Conversation Society, or National Soybean Association or those published by singular individuals such as farmers, FFA members, solar farms, and other agriculturalists or environmentalists both of which are easily for and against the agriculture industry. The first hypothesis of the study was aimed at determining if a relationship exists between individuals' self-identification with specific industries and groups and persuasive outcomes based on the sender of messages being an individual or an organization. The data collected revealed a significant relationship between participants' likelihood to like, quote, and retweet messages that were released from organizations in comparison to messages released by individuals. The second hypothesis of the study was to determine if a relationship is present between higher self-identification with the agricul (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Fine Arts, Miami University, 2022, English

This thesis is a selection of chapters from We Are Earth, a book-length work of creative nonfiction focused on regenerative agriculture—farming with nature and not against it. The narrative follows my travels to meet regenerative farmers across the United States and around the world. These farmers employ practices and philosophies acknowledging that humans are a part of an intertwined and complicated system that we cannot tame or manipulate. They see regenerative farming as a solution, which builds soil, promotes ecological diversity, provides people with meaningful lives and livelihoods, and sequesters carbon—maybe even enough to combat climate change. Agriculture is both political and environmental. It's a local and global act. To capture these dualities, the book is a mix of journalism, travel narrative, and memoir. By weaving the local with the global, I intend to show the reader how their daily lives, eating habits, and relationship with nature connect to issues of environmental and social justice.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership Studies, Xavier University, 2020, Leadership Studies and Human Resource Development

This study examined the factors that statistically predict student's degree attainment within agricultural education as a course of study. The study is based on a population of first year agriculture students (n = 616) at a private four-year college in Southwestern Ohio. The study is correlational design, which employed cross-sectional archival survey methodology. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to inform the research questions through the lens of Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT: Lent, Brown, & Hackett, 1994). The research questions were designed to measure the extent to which six learning factors predict students' degree attainment in degree programs in agricultural education; the six predictors included: 1) coming from a different a high school setting (rural vs. urban), 2) belonging to the National FFA Organization (FFA), 3) holding an FFA officer position while in high school, 4) having or not having a farm background, 5) parental occupation, and 6) expressed interest in teaching vocational agriculture. Results revealed that four of the six factors did have a significant association with students' degree attainment in a specific a degree program in agricultural education. Specifically, coming from urban school settings, holding an officer position while in FFA, parental occupation related to agriculture, and having an expressed interest in teaching vocational agriculture served as significant predictors that contributed to students' degree attainment of a bachelor's degree in agricultural education. With the current trend that the number of agricultural education teaching positions is on the rise, there is a demand for agricultural education teachers but a lack of individuals to fill the open positions. Accordingly, from a practical standpoint, the findings inform the way in which the case study institution's agricultural department designs and implements recruiting strategies that encourage more high school students to pursue a bachelor's deg (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1968, Graduate School

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2014, Plant Biology (Arts and Sciences)

The number of certified organic farms is increasing, however organic matter suitable for composting is often limited in availability. Testing additional agroindustrial wastes for their suitability in composting could benefit the industry. In this project, composts produced from brewers' spent grains/sawdust and from horse manure/sawdust were compared for their effects on yield of kale, beets, and peas. Percent of total N for untreated plots, horse manure compost and brewers' spent grain compost amended plots were 0.2, 0.4, and 0.25 respectively. Neither compost treatment significantly improved yields in season one and brewers' spent grain/sawdust compost significantly decreased yield in kale (P < 0.05). However in the second season kale yield was significantly increased by the horse manure compost (P = 0.03) and fresh grain additions (P = 0.05). Although the composts provided additional nutrients to the plots other factors may have attributed to the lack of significant growth benefits in season one.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2007, Graduate School

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1964, Graduate School

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1987, Graduate School

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 1971, Graduate School

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2008, Graduate School

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1971, Graduate School

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1917, Graduate School

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Ohio University, 2024, Environmental Studies

Inspired by the community of farmers and food producers that surrounded her, Stitchick decided to utilize her love of creative writing and film photography to deliver the stories of multiple women farmers in Athens County to the broader community. She begins by contextualizing the hegemonic systems of patriarchy that pose unique challenges and obstacles to women in agriculture. With this contextual framework in mind she aims to both inform and inspire her readers with the anthology of livelihoods she has crafted; women in agriculture are disadvantaged, yet they are pushing back, finding themselves on the forefront of agricultural innovation. This communication is also important to Stitchick in terms of reconnecting consumers to the food system that feeds them, and celebrating the hard work that goes into producing the food we eat. In her journey back to the beginnings of the food system, she found four incredible women who are not only making impressive strides within the historically male-dominated industry of agriculture, but are also simultaneously regenerating the soil, sequestering carbon dioxide, building cop resilience, and nourishing the community that surrounds them with the fruits of their labor. This anthology is a love letter to women, to Appalachia, to the unyielding whimsy of goats, the unbridled fury of geese, and to the sustainable future we can build together, one seed in the soil at a time.

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Ohio University, 2024, Environmental Studies

Educated students and community members become informed consumers that can reshape our food system. The OHIO Student Farm works to educate students on sustainable agriculture practices and provides hands-on learning opportunities. This thesis explores the benefits of local food systems in addition to regenerative and sustainable agriculture practices. Not all students are aware of the benefits of supporting sustainable local farms and that OHIO has a student farm. To increase awareness and connect students to regeneratively and locally grown food, I restarted the OHIO Student Farm's farmers market in Baker University Center. Based on the data from the survey I conducted of the market attendees, this market increased access to local produce for students, faculty, staff, and community members and educated them on the benefits of purchasing locally and supporting farms that use regenerative practices. In addition to surveying the market attendees, I also surveyed past students of the Sustainable Agriculture course that takes place on the OHIO Student Farm. The results showed how valuable hands-on learning is when it comes to getting students engaged in environmental issues like sustainable food. In addition to reestablishing the market, I also started the Student Farmers student organization to connect students that are interested in sustainable and local food with the OHIO Student Farm and local food organizations. As a result of this project and research, more students have been connected with the OHIO Student Farm, have increased access to fresh produce, and are more knowledgeable about how they can build a more sustainable food system.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2023, Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership

School-based agriculture education teachers (SBAE) are tasked daily with a multitude of demands inside and outside of the classroom. While these demands can be daunting, teachers continue to focus on how they can improve their practice through relevant and authentic professional development. The study's purpose was to describe the relationship between SBAE teacher social media use for professional purposes and self-confidence. A random sample of SBAE teachers responded to the survey instrument. Findings showed SBAE teachers are generally self-confident in the classroom and agriculture content. SBAE teachers are also using social media channels for professional purposes. Overall, there was not a statistically significant relationship between the self-confidence of SBAE teachers and their social media use for professional purposes. Future research should explore the self-confidence of SBAE teachers by experience, age, and certification.

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2019, Geography

Small-scale farming of coffee and plastic greenhouse agriculture in the Chiapas Highlands of Mexico is a heavily commercialized trade system. A mixed methodology approach for this study provided information from the ground, including augmenting the validation data, and insight directly from the farmers themselves in the municipalities of Zinacantan and Chenalho. The Random Forest and Support Vector Machine classifier were compared for 2018 median image composites from Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) at 30 m resolution and Sentinel-2A Multispectral Imager (MSI) at 10 m resolution. The dominant land-use factor in Chenalho Municipality is coffee production. Random Forest classifier achieved the highest overall accuracy of 78% and a 0.65 Kappa coefficient using a median composite of Sentinel-2A MSI at 10 m resolution for all five land classes. Misclassification errors occurred in semi shade coffee that had similar spectra to cropland due to open soil and shade coffee from forests. Similarly, the highest overall accuracy achieved for plastic greenhouses was 93% and a 0.87 Kappa coefficient. The dependence on cash crops has become a significant source of income to the inhabitants in both municipalities. Agricultural modernization is associated with intensive agricultural practices whereby models of competitive advantage have become dependent on chemical inputs (Molina Gomez, Jimenez Velazquez, & Arvizu Barron, 2017; Orozco Hernandez, 2007). The diverse flower types cultivated in Zinacantan Municipality and diverse types of coffee cultivar in Chenalho Municipality are associated with a process of production through the increase of land surface for coffee and plastic greenhouse agriculture.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2018, Agricultural and Extension Education

More than half of the world today lives in urban areas. By 2050, this percentage is expected to reach 66 percent. As the shift toward urbanization occurs, individuals begin to participate in urban livestock production to supplement their diets with animal protein. Urban livestock production presents a myriad of challenges, including zoonotic disease and risk of bodily harm. An exploratory study, utilizing a concurrent triangulation mixed methods approach, was designed to identify management practices that impact overall safety and health of livestock producers in Managua, Nicaragua. Through quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, and researcher observations, the data were collected and analyzed in an 18-month U.S. Borlaug Fellowship in Global Food Security, sponsored by USAID. Immersed in the culture, the researcher interacted with 100 urban and peri-urban livestock owners. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, the study protocol used personal attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control as a structure for identifying themes within urban and peri-urban livestock production. The themes related to producers' attitudes were safety, diseases and parasites, cleanliness, and enjoyment. Themes related to subjective norms were experts, family, other livestock producers, and neighbors. Perceived behavioral control themes were authority, knowledge, access, and income. Results found urban livestock producers think first of the safety and health of the animals, then of their family, a strong motivator. Producers would like to perform safe and healthy livestock handling procedures, but do not have the knowledge to improve safety and health. Income is also a limiting factor. Intention to perform safe and healthy livestock handling procedures is primarily limited by the producer's perceived control combined with actual control. Through researcher interaction during Phase 1 the livestock producers expressed interest in learning more about (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2018, Environment and Natural Resources

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the principal food source for Eastern Africa's rising populations. In Morogoro Region, Tanzania, 56% of agricultural land is cropped with maize and 90% of its people are smallholder farmers. For these reasons, understanding the relationship between crop management decisions, agricultural soil quality, and maize yield is of critical importance. Field management practices were recorded during the November – January (short) rainy season crop, and the March – June (long) rainy season, and water use during the short rainy season. Soil samples were taken from each field in June 2017 and analyzed for soil quality parameters pH, total nitrogen (TN), soil organic carbon (SOC), bulk density (BD), texture, aggregate stability (AS), and penetration resistance. Analyses indicated that during both the short and long rainy seasons, maize production resulted in a lower pH than in vegetable production, or maize – cowpea intercrop. Fields which were cropped with maize in the long rainy season had higher clay content (Clay) than did those cropped with a maize – cowpea intercrop. Sand content (Sand) appeared to be higher in fields cropped with a maize – cowpea intercrop in maize in the long rainy season. Textural variation was accounted for a spatial gradient in soil series, which likely informed crop choice. Aggregate stability was found to be higher in fields cropped with maize in the short rainy season than with vegetable. TN, SOC, BD, silt content (Silt), and penetration resistance were not found to vary between iii crop management practice. Each soil quality parameter was entered into a linear regression model and a mixed effects model with long rainy season maize yields to determine the property's association with maize production. These analyses indicated that BD and sand concentration were negatively affecting maize yields while silt concentration, and to a lesser extent, SOC and AS were positiv (open full item for complete abstract)