Then and Now: An Eight-Year Look at the U.S. Land-Grant University Agricultural
Communications Profession, 1987-1995
Robert E. Thomas
The purpose of this study was to examine selected trends and conditions pertaining to
agricultural communications units in the U.S. land-grant institutions and to compare data
obtained from a similar study conducted in the summer of l987. In both studies, the population
surveyed was chairpersons or heads of agricultural communications departments in U.S.
land-grant universities. Responses were received from all 50 states. Surveys were mailed to unit
heads in September and October of l995. Findings include: (1) an overall funding decline in
terms of real dollars, (2) a reduction in total number of staff positions, and (3) a drop in number
of tenure-track positions. Salary ranges are provided for publication editors, news/feature
writers, video producer/directors and graphic illustrator/designers. In addition, perceptions of
unit heads are reported on whether they would encourage their children to pursue a career in
agricultural communications, or in fact, do it over themselves if given the opportunity.
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