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(27) Mobile Information Technology Forestry Programs for Limited Resource Audiences at Tennessee State University
Joshua Idassi (PhD), Ms. Jenell Sargent and Ms. Jonell Hinsey
Session: Concurrent Session B1: Marketing and Delivery of Programs
The 1890 institutions have targeted their Extension programs quite well to non-traditional audiences. The hallmark and strength of the 1890 institutions is targeting the hard-to-reach, non-traditional, limited-resource farmers, woodland owners, and families. The Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA) of 1978 has provided federal funding specifically for expanding Extension programs that target forest and rangeland resources. Compared to the funding available to support forest and range resources from RREA, the funding appropriated to the 1890 institutions is not sufficient. Faculty and staff in the 1890 system have identified a special need and are seeking funding from the RREA National Focus Funds to conduct educational programs using their mobile information technology and distance education capabilities across the 1890s landscape. The project uses a combination of traditional landowner training workshops and on-site training using mobile internet platform.
Education on wheels technology workshops were held in Stanton and Bolivar Tennessee, Santee- South Carolina, Natchez- Mississippi and Quincy - Florida, Americus, Georgia, Marvell, Arkansas and Halifax, Viriginia. One hundred and twenty two (122 ) participants attended and completed the two-days workshop. Both genders were very well represented. Prior to their participation each participant was registered to the website: forestandrange.org. During the workshops each partcipants was able to log-in to the website and able to access a significant number of modules that have information on estate plnning, forest management, agroforestry and other topics.
Through this project, collaborations in technology transfer and natural resources among faculties and staffs within the 1890 land grant system and local, state and federal agencies has been enhanced.
Dr. Joshua Idassi
Extension Forester
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee
Telephone: 615-963-5616
Email: jidassi@tnstate.edu