Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2022, Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the meat industry in Ohio struggled to meet the increased demand for meat products that was coupled with a labor shortage. Therefore, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted created the Ohio Meat Processing Grant Program. The grant has the purpose of upgrading equipment, improving efficiency, and training. However, while a number of meat processors are receiving funding, the state of Ohio has yet to increase the number of educational opportunities available to train meat processors on meat cutting, food safety, government regulations, and business management. Additionally, assessments have not been made to assess the productivity and transfer of learning happening in the current meat science-related educational opportunities available. Therefore, the study's objectives were to 1) describe participants' age, experience levels, degree of transfer of learning and preferences with instructional format in a meat-science-related workshop or class; 2) describe the differences in preferred instructional format and degree of transfer of learning between participants' learner classifications (young adult versus adult); and 3) describe the relationship between participants' years of experience and degree of transfer of learning in a meat science-related workshop or class. Convenience sampling was used to select participants from the 2021 Ohio State University meat cutting clinic program and the Food Animal Processing undergraduate class All groups covered the same material in formal class lectures and non-formal labs. A survey was used as an instrument to measure knowledge, perceptions, and comfort with the information that was taught throughout the clinics and class. It was found that 94.1% of the respondent population self-identified as adult learners. When looking into experience the majority of the respondents had less than 10 years of experience in the meat industry with an average age of 35 years. The participan (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2022, Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership

The purpose of the study was to identify the factors elementary teachers consider when selecting elective curriculum for their classrooms, and to describe the acceptability of a newly developed agricultural safety curriculum. Utilizing a descriptive qualitative approach, seven Central Ohio elementary teachers provided their opinion and evaluations of the curriculum. The findings showed that 71.4% of teachers in the interviews used elective topics in their classrooms to supplement the formal curriculum. They cited using books, professional development workshops, students' needs and personal experiences as factors that determined how elective was identified. The frequency to which they taught agriculture varied from daily to twice a year. All the teachers had a connection to agriculture, but not all felt that they were the best people to teach their students about agriculture. The agricultural safety and health curriculum was well received, and teachers responded with positive feedback. Ninety-two percent of the teachers thought that the lessons were easy to comprehend, well organized, age-appropriate and 78.6 % of the teachers thought the lessons served to benefit the community. Agricultural literacy programs have the potential to reach young people throughout the United States with varying degrees of agricultural information. Elementary teachers can be a conduit to provide this education and are an important component in the Social Ecological Model for reaching the vulnerable population of young workers. Teaching agricultural safety and health concepts within the established agricultural literacy programs creates an opportunity for young people to learn safe work practices

Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2022, Educational Leadership

This dissertation in practice examines the absence of an advocacy framework for Black placemakers in southwest Springfield neighborhoods seeking to transform vacant spaces into vibrant pocket parks, green spaces, and community gardens. This critical community-based participatory research addresses inadequate public policies, resources, and technical assistance to create and sustain neighborhood sites for endurance, belonging, and resistance. Thematic findings indicated that systemic issues, street-level organizing, and sustainability are primary barriers and opportunities. An action intervention and change process was developed to establish the Springfield Park and Green Space Ecosystem (SPGE). The action plan focuses on a community coalition of power building, a community benefits agreement, zoning revisions, and public-private partnerships with results-based accountability.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2022, Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership

Career and Technical Education (CTE) has become a mainstay in public schools, which evolved from various bills such as the Smith-Hughes Act giving rise to Agricultural Education programs (ACTE, 2022). Agricultural Education uses a combination of classroom and laboratory instruction, experiential learning, and leadership education to prepare students for jobs in industry (Roberts, 2006; NAAE, 2022). The foundation of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), are based on an artificial and digital environment provided by a computer and in which a user's actions determines what happens in the environment. This technology is an option for teachers who wish to incorporate experiential learning and give students real experiences who otherwise might not have the opportunity (Liarokapis et al., 2004; Johnson et al., 2010; Domingo & Bradley, 2018). Virtual Reality has been used across many industries as a form of training, such as medicine, pedestrian safety, construction, manufacturing, military training programs, tractor and machinery operation (McComas et al., 2002; Aggarwal et al., 2006; Tichon & Burgess-Limerick, 2011; Sacks et al., 2013; Namkoong et. Al., 2022). Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the U.S. for all workers, and even more so for young workers (U.S. Department of Labor, 2020). Research has iii shown that educators and students are unaware of basic farm safety information, or where to find the necessary information. In the United States, legislation prescribes training for youth under the age of 16, working in hazardous situations in production agriculture. Specific to tractor and machinery operation, one national curriculum is the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program. It includes comprehensive lessons around equipment safety, and evaluates students' competencies though a skills checklist and a driving course. The purpose of this mixed-methods study (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2022, Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership

Mothers are the predominant food purchasers for their families in American homes and influence their children's future food decision-making. As a result of American mothers' influence on their families, it is important to understand their experience purchasing food for their family members. In this study, a feminist standpoint lens was applied to understand how mothers' social identities and interpersonal conversations influence their food purchasing for their families. To understand Ohio mothers' experiences, 17 mothers were interviewed in a first-round interview establishing their identities and communication around food, after which 11 mothers were split into two focus groups to have conversations and participate in scenarios centered around identity and interpersonal conversations about food. The focus group participants were each then interviewed individually following the focus group to reflect on their experience. The transcripts from the interviews and focus groups were imported into MAXQDA22 for analysis and the data were then analyzed for themes after social groups were identified. The study identified that motherhood is a complex experience that while unique to social groups, also provides a unifying experience for mothers. Mothers' food-related decision-making was most strongly influenced by their familial identities; however, it was identified that mothers' social and cultural identities influence the ways that they make decisions and operate within their nuclear family – whether that be consistent with social and cultural messaging or contradictory to it. Participants in the study also experienced positive, negative, and neutral violations of their expectations for interactions around food, but it was observed that message senders were often trying to meet the expectations of message receivers, and in some cases message receivers would attempt to lower their expectations to avoid negative violations. Practitioners, educators, and future researchers sh (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2022, Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership

In Peru, climate change is affecting the livelihoods of thousands of subsistence farmers. For this productive agricultural sector, changes such as rising temperatures, reduced rainfall patterns, and increased incidence of extreme weather events often result in losses of farming assets, compromising their food availability and financial resources (Benson, 2021). The changing nature of the climate and its multiple effects on farmer livelihoods highlight the need to understand how subsistence farmers adapt their agricultural production while coping with the speed and intensity of climate variability (Deressa et al., 2009). Although farmers continue to implement adaptability strategies, climate change speed exceeds their adaptability capacities. This study in Huayhuay, Peru, implemented a multi-stage mixed methods research design (Creswell & Plano-Clark, 2018) to explore climate adaptation and coping processes, focusing on the experiences of subsistence farmers. Based on the conceptual framework informed by Scoones' (1998) Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, the Coping and Adaptative Entitlements Framework (Davis, 1996), and the Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping Theory (Kosko, 1986), data were collected using a survey instrument and semi-structured interviews in stage I, whose results were embedded in workshop sessions in stage II. As in previous research, the results showed a high level of perception among subsistence farmers about climate change, while strategies implemented as response mechanisms to climate variability were identified. Furthermore, within the community-based cognitive map, a complex network of connections between local factors and dynamics of climate adaptability was found. Finally, a scenario analysis demonstrated how variation in specific driving components influences climate adaptability processes in Huayhuay. The implications of this study highlight the importance of involving farmers in any agricultural livelihood-related action and policy. Furthermore, r (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2022, Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership

Mid-level managers are one component of Ohio State University Extension's talent management system that contribute to the organization's effectiveness. OSU Extension uses mid-level managers known as Area Leaders to supervise county offices. These individuals have great impact on the support and success of local programs. Therefore, it is critical to identify the competencies necessary for effectiveness in the role. By developing an Area Leader competency model, parameters would be available to aid selection, professional development, performance evaluation, and succession planning. At this time, no such model exists. Through this study I aimed to develop and validate a competency model for Area Leaders in Ohio State University Extension. I used a mixed-method research approach, emphasizing qualitative approaches, including reviews of existing research and gathering data from employees through interviews and focus groups. The study used quantitative survey research and peer reviews to validate and refine the results. The research design included model development in three phases: (a) review of literature and position description with OSU Extension administration; (b) model development through rounds of idea generation; (c) model validation and refinement. The findings of this study are represented by a final Area Leader Competency Model and emergent findings. The final competency model consists of ten competencies: accessibility; accountability; coaching; communication; conflict management; critical thinking; social intelligence; strategic connection; system navigation; and team and culture development. Each competency was defined and operationalized using organization-based behavioral anchors. The competency model reflects input solely from the organization's professionals and is customized to fit the specific position within the organization. Emergent findings on the Area Leader position are surmised from data collected from active Area Leaders and their sub (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2022, Agricultural and Extension Education

To address the phenomena of social media marketing of show livestock in Ohio, researchers must understand the elements of social media marketing materials being produced by show livestock producers. This provides researchers with the ability to inform future research of social media marketing within agriculture. Upon examination, it was determined that producers rely heavily on photographs, videos, and graphics (advertisements, flyers, catalogs, etc.). Accordingly, four elements of photography, four elements of videography, and three elements of graphic design were chosen by researchers gain a better understanding of the quality of materials being produced by show livestock producers. This study integrated the use of the Importance-Performance Analysis model to assess the quality of the materials being produced, and the importance the producers put on their elements. The strategies that were identified for this research are the following: the elements investigated for the use of photographs or videos in the posts were (1) exposure (lighting), (2) angle, (3) rule of thirds, (4) quality. If a graphic is included in social media post, the attributes being investigated are (1) type, (2) color, and (3) arrangement. Findings from this study showed that while performance of following the rule of thirds and professional appearance of photographs was high, it was not something that was particularly important to them. Conversely, importance of professionally appearing videos was of high importance, but none of the participants had videos that appeared to be professionally produced. Following the rule of thirds in videos fell into low importance and low performance. Thus, rule of thirds in video may not be an area that producers should focus on at this time. All the other elements of videography and photography fell into the keep up the good work quadrant for the importance-performance analysis. Lastly, all the elements of graphic design fell into the keep up the good work (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2022, Agricultural and Extension Education

This descriptive study explored the perceptions of Ohio agriscience education teachers on mental health wellness in their schools. This study will specifically focus on agricultural education teachers' perceptions, roles, and impacts of their program on student mental health wellness. The purpose of this study of this study is to explore School Based Agricultural Education teacher's perceptions of mental health among their agricultural education students. Participant data were collected from Ohio School Based Agricultural Education teachers who are currently teaching in the pathway AO Agribusiness and Production Systems. The results indicated that schools do not go beyond supporting the student within school, including their family and community, and that most teachers believe in supporting student mental health wellness. The results also indicated that teachers perceive students' mental wellness improving because of their agricultural education program. However, conflicting views were found in agricultural education teachers identifying and supporting mental wellness. Future research should seek to explore data related to mental health wellness in other pathways in agricultural education, explore how teacher education programs prepare preservice teachers to manage mental health wellness in their classrooms, explore if years of teaching experience correlates with comfort level of managing student mental health wellness in classroom, and what additional resources schools need to promote mental health wellness. The results of this study should be used in teacher preparation programs and professional development events with school district and agricultural education associations.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2022, Agricultural and Extension Education

Food security, also known as having proper access to food to live a healthy life, affects more than 10% of individuals in the United States (United States Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2021b). Other than government aid, to combat food insecurity, various food banks and charitable food organizations such as Feeding America, Why Hunger, and Share Our Strength, provide food and other resources (USDA, n.d.-b). Marketing and communications, as well as brand identity, plays a role in how these organizations operate and raise awareness (Carboni & Maxwell, 2015; Chapleo, 2015; Phethean et al., 2013). However, these organizations' communications are typically not as successful as for-profit corporations, and there is a gap in literature about the effectiveness of these charitable food organizations' marketing efforts (Quinton & Fennemore, 2013). There is a need to better understand these organizations' communications to inspire work with their organizations, which could also lead to a broader response to food insecurity in the U.S. The current study aims to better understand how to improve charitable food branding and communications, as well as how it can influence support for their work. For this study, Gen Z was chosen as the population since these individuals are known as being “digital natives,” leaning more progressive, and preferring online learning (Fontein, 2019; Parker & Igielnik, 2020, para. 4). The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of charitable food organization branding on college students' support of charitable food organizations—specifically through volunteering, donating behavior, and advocacy efforts. This study used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), color theory, and semiotics to craft treatments similar to social media images from charitable food organizations (CFOs). There were four treatment groups, all with the same verbiage, but all using either color or no color or with an icon versus an image. Findings suggested Treatment 3 (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2022, Agricultural and Extension Education

Increasing STEM literacy to prepare students to enter the workforce is important to fill the growing need for workers in STEM fields. 4-H Youth Development has been a leader in providing out-of-school time STEM programs. Through effective professional development, 4-H professionals may develop knowledge, skills, and confidence in coding and may adopt coding as part of their county programming. The purpose of this study was to explore with a group of 4-H professionals their beliefs about computer coding, coding professional development, and the implementation of a coding curriculum as part of the Ohio State University Extension 4-H Clovers CODE (Creating Opportunities Designed for Everyone) program. The objectives were (a) to explore how 4-H professionals describe their professional development experience with Clovers CODE, (b) gain understanding of whether professional development changes the beliefs of 4-H professionals toward coding, and if so, how; and (c) explore how 4-H professionals describe their implementation experiences of Clovers CODE program content. To address the research questions, this study was designed as a single-case case study that drew on analysis of data from three focus groups with a total of nine participants from Year 1 of Clovers CODE, a review of documents with relevance to the case, and participant observation of Year 2 training. Findings from the study showed that participants thought the training was too condensed and was conducted at a pace that was faster than they could learn the content, were more comfortable with in-person training as compared to virtual training, and indicated a range of confidence in their capability to code. The resources provided to enhance programming and the anticipation of reaching more youth motivated them to participate. Participants perceived a gap in knowledge between themselves and students, and they expressed a range of confidence concerning their implementation of program content. Participa (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2022, Agricultural and Extension Education

There is a need to understand the relationships that first-year students at The Ohio State University, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences are involved in, specifically their mentors. College students are undergoing a major change when they transition into higher education at a large university. Often, they are experiencing living on their own and are placed in a new environment for the first time. Mentoring relationships can provide them with a relationship that serves as a resource to help guide them through this transition to establish a firm foundation for their college experience. In this study, the author begins to describe the mentoring experiences of first-year students at The Ohio State University, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Using the College Student Mentoring Scale (Crisp, 2009), the author was able to understand the degree of support first-year students experience based upon for constructs outlined in the literature. Results indicate that students experience varying degrees of support from their mentors, and further research should be conducted to better understand these experiences.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2021, Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership

In mid-March 2020, a global pandemic shifted the world to a virtual setting. 4-H volunteers were forced to cancel or move programs and meetings to a virtual format (Buck, 2020), meaning no in-person club meetings, county or state level events, volunteer trainings, and most other activities. As a result, there was much uncertainty for the 4-H program, extension staff, and volunteers. Many volunteers had no prior experience meeting virtually, but still wanted to connect with their youth members during the pandemic. While some resources were made available for 4-H volunteers to use a few months into the pandemic, they otherwise had no training for conducting virtual club meetings or activities. This study explored Ohio 4-H volunteers' perception of their preparedness to participate and lead in virtual settings by comparing volunteers' experiences with virtual programs before the coronavirus pandemic and after when programs were moved to a virtual platform as required by local, state, and Ohio State University guidelines. Specific objectives of this research were: (a) to describe the familiarity, comfort level and use of technology in Ohio 4-H volunteers before March 2020, (b) to describe the familiarity, comfort level and use of technology in Ohio 4-H volunteers after March 2020, (c) to identify the resources and/or trainings needed to increase comfort level of 4-H volunteers to use technology in programming, (d) to compare the difference in familiarity, comfort level, and use of technology for Ohio 4-H volunteers before and after March 2020. Participants were a sample of Ohio 4-H volunteers who completed an online questionnaire exploring three main constructs: familiarity with technology, comfort with technology, and use of technology using a five-point Likert response scale. To provide an adequate sample of the 18,000 volunteers in Ohio, a cluster random sample from the nine regional geographic areas across the state randomly selected 150 volunteers from each (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science in Environmental Science, Youngstown State University, 2021, Department of Physics, Astronomy, Geology and Environmental Sciences

Although frequently overlooked or omitted, ecosystem services provide an environment for the survival of life on earth, including humans. Soil is a critical compartment for ecosystem services composed of solids, gasses, water, and micro and macro flora and fauna. Soil functions include water holding capacity, nutrient holding and cycling, support for microbial life, carbon capture, and other many other unseen benefits. Within society a main use of soil is agriculture for growth of food, fiber, and other necessities for civilization. Agricultural practices can consist of different techniques, two common categories are conventional and conservation methods. Conventional tillage utilizes turning of the soil to prepare the seedbed and remove unwanted plants. In conservation methods the use of no tillage or reduce tillage is used, where the soil is minimally disturbed, and the seeds are inserted into small slits or openings. Aggressive tillage can affect soil ecosystem function and limit the quality of soil health by decreasing porosity, reducing microbial processes, and increasing erosion. Seven farm fields in Trumbull County, OH, were sampled to investigate the connection between agricultural method and soil quality characteristics that contribute to overall soil health and productivity. Composite soil samples consisting of 2.5 cm soil cores separated into top 15 cm layer and bottom layer were evaluated for organic matter, bulk density, soil texture, plant available phosphorus, pH, total nitrogen, salinity, and percent porosity using standard methods. The data composed of 32 samples, with 16 samples from the top layer and 16 from the bottom layer. The fields were ranked one to four, with a ranking of one indicating conventional methods to ranking of four with the highest amount of conservation practices applied. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, mean comparison, one-way ANOVA, Principal Component Analysis, and backwards linear regressions using S (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2021, Agricultural and Extension Education

Lower retention and graduation rates continue to persist among urban and Appalachian student cohorts. However, these two groups have historically been viewed as different and needing different supports to persist in their educational pursuits. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of, and integrational supports utilized by college graduates from Ohio's urban and Appalachian regions. Specifically, this study explores the differences and similarities in institutional support services/resources and experiences urban and Appalachian graduates identify as having been instrumental in their collegiate success. Using a qualitative research multiple case study approach, the researcher examined the academic and social experiences of urban and Appalachian college graduates from Ohio's Urban Eight and Appalachian regions. The methodology for this study includes a qualitative approach where the researcher conducted in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 college graduates from a large, land-grant institution. Data gathered from this study yielded several similarities in experience and institutional integration across the urban and Appalachian groups. A strong reliance on support systems, such as campus organizations, peers, and faculty/staff, in addition to their yearning for identity-based support services was salient among both groups. Due to the relatively small sample size of this study, n=15, the findings cannot be generalized to the entire urban and Appalachian population. Overall, the findings of this study revealed substantial similarities and a few very critical differences in the academic and social experiences of urban and Appalachian graduates. These experiences support the critical role of student integration efforts and specialized support services for students from minority and underrepresented identities. The findings of this research may ultimately have the potential to reexamine and reframe how higher education institution (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2021, Agricultural and Extension Education

To maintain job satisfaction, occupational commitment, self-efficacy, and levels of motivation, it is important for a teacher to develop a professional teaching identity that tells them who they are (Day, 2002). The purpose of this study was to better understand the development of teacher identity in preservice agriscience teachers during an early field experience (EFE) placement. Data for this phenomenological study were triangulated through the collection of written reflections and photovoice reflections along with a in a semi-structured exit interview after the completion of their early field experience. Data were analyzed with an axial and open-coding process where “key words” can help to outline important information within the reflections (Corbin & Strauss, 2008). Four themes that emerged from this study: 1) Change of Personal Feelings from Excitement to Anxiousness; 2) Understanding Multiple Roles of the Agriscience Educator; 3) Adoption of Professional Roles Throughout the EFE; and 4) Understanding the Need for Passion with the Profession. Throughout the experience, preservice agriscience teachers experienced a change in emotions, understanding of the roles of an agriscience teacher, and ultimately decided whether they could see themselves entering the profession. Further research was recommended to develop deeper understanding of the identity development in preservice teachers before student teaching.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2021, Agricultural and Extension Education

Youth in the United States are experiencing mental illness more frequently and severely than in the past. This is coupled with low rates of help-seeking and treatment resulting from factors such as stigma related to mental illness. The developmental period of adolescence and the changes and transitions that embody this time in a person's life mean that youth experience mental illness and topics related to mental health differently than other groups, with a range of personal, social and environmental factors serving as mediators. Youth who engage in programs which promote positive youth development represent an opportunity for research and improved practice. To study this population of youth, this transcendental phenomenology explored former Ohio FFA state officer and agricultural education program member experiences with mental health topics in the context of the FFA organization (formerly Future Farmers of America) and agricultural education programs in Ohio. In-depth, semi structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants. While individual experiences varied greatly, seven themes emerged which merit the consideration of agricultural educators, mental health professionals, researchers and any person involved in the development of youth. This relatively nuanced area of research has the potential to transform the lives of youth who experience mental health challenges through engagement in youth development organizations like FFA. The foundation for successful youth development has already been laid by these organizations. They present the opportunity to engage youth with mental health topics for the purposes of raising awareness, improving mental health literacy, reducing stigma and encouraging help-seeking behavior for all youth, especially those who suffer with mental illness.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2021, Agricultural and Extension Education

During the second week of March 2020, work shifted from the county extension office to home during the Coronavirus pandemic. During COVID-19, workers were shifted into new all-digital work environments without establishing boundaries that melded the work and home environment into one (Katsabian, 2020). While this shift to remote work was possible due to technology, work-life boundaries became even blurrier. Professionals who do not have good boundaries find themselves always connected to both spheres of work and home because of their digital devices (Richardson & Rothstein, 2008). OSU Extension professionals not only made the switch to remote work from home, but they had to adjust to an all-digital 4-H program delivery at the same time. By rapidly shifting to digital work, 4-H professionals had to adapt to this change. The Change Style Indicator (Musselwhite & Ingraham, 1998) assessment classifies a person as a Conserver, Pragmatist, or Originator. Conservers prefer gradual change. Pragmatists desire change that serves a function. Originators are the most adept to change and favor quicker, more expansive change. These preferences to change would have impacted their approach to dealing with the pandemic and remote work. This study explored the adaptation of county-based OSU Extension 4-H Youth Development professionals to an all-digital environment during the virtual work period of COVID-19. Specific objectives included: (a) to describe the population by their Change Style Preferences, (b) to describe the adaptations to the all-digital work environment, (c) to describe the types of digital tools used, (d) to describe the types of digital skills learned, (e) to describe the types of digital youth development programming implemented, to describe the types of digital youth development strategies generated, and (f) to explore these selected variables (a-e) and their relationship to the Change Style Preferences. Data were gathered in two parts. The Change Style Ind (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2021, Agricultural and Extension Education

Teachers are always looking for ways to motivate and engage the students in their classroom. Previous research studies have explored how teachers can motivate and engage their students. A number of studies show how coaches can motivate their athletes but there has been very little research looking at how these two professions can work together to better one another. The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate if there are strategies of motivation that teachers can gain from coaches. Through semi-structured interviews guided by an interview protocol eleven teacher-coaches were interviewed to see if and how they use their strategies of motivation from coaching in their classrooms. The results of this study produced six themes: 1. From the Playbook to the Textbook: What Teachers Can Learn From Coaches, 2. Constructing the Student- Teacher and Athlete-Coach Relationship: How to Build and Maintain a Relationship With Students and Athletes, 3. Developing the Whole Person is the Real Priority, 4. Leveraging Failures as Teaching and Coaching Tactics, 5. Letting Students/Athletes Take the Wheel- Increasing Autonomy in Lesson and Practice Plans, and 6. Where Coaching and Teaching Stray From One Another. For teachers looking to further motivate and engage their students, they should start by getting to know their students beyond the surface level in class. Invest time into their lives so the students know that they are cared for and respected. For future research, more research should be conducted on the relationship teacher-coaches have with their students and athletes. What kind of influence does this relationship have over the students/athletes.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2021, Agricultural and Extension Education

Since the advent of industrialized animal production, breeds of livestock species have seen a decrease in their population and many face the threat of extinction. These breeds have unique genetic and historical significance. Since the 1970s, research has been done looking at the scientific aspect of conserving these breeds. However, little research has been done on the role of individuals in rare breed conservation, and none has considered the potential part that youth could play in it. This quantitative study explores the trends in rare breed exhibition in Midwest state 4-H shows. In addition, the current knowledge of superintendents, their thoughts on member breed decision influences, and their motivation as it applies to rare breeds was examined. Data collected for this study consists of show data from Midwest state 4-H fair poultry and rabbit shows, and survey data collected from state superintendents. Findings from this study suggest that rare breeds in poultry and rabbits are being shown at state 4-H fairs and superintendents and youth are interested in rare breeds, but lack of knowledge on these breeds or access to breeding stock may impede their growth. Youth based organizations in these species and national organizations need to work together to promote more education on this topic, as well as help connect youth with resources and breeders.