Opinions of Practitioners Concerning Curricular Requirements of
Agricultural Communication Students at the University of Florida
Kimberly J. Sprecker
Rick D. Rudd
This study identifies opinions of agricultural communication practitioners in
Florida concerning knowledge and skills that should be taught to agricultural
communication students at the University of Florida. We interviewed 14
practitioners who were on the Board of Directors of the Agriculture Institute
of Florida. Practitioners recognized the need for broad-based instruction
about agriculture. They said communication skills, however, are more
important than subject-area knowledge. Students must be versatile in many
communication areas and learn interpersonal networking skills. Desktop
publishing and internships are essential, as is training in issues management.
Curriculum planners should consider these views when making agricultural
communication curriculum decisions.
Full text (pdf)
Kimberly J. Sprecker completed this research in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agricultural
Communication at the University of Florida. She is now working toward a Ph.D.
degree in Mass Communication with a focus on Agricultural Journalism at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison. Rick D. Rudd is an assistant professor of
Agricultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida and a
member of ACE.
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