Characteristics, Educational Preparation, and Membership In Professional Organizations of Agricultural Communicators

Who Is an ACE Member? Results From a 2005 ACE Member Survey

“…Demographic data from Buck and Paulson's study (1995) showed that the majority of their agricultural communications respondents were Caucasian. In terms of gender, Buck and Paulson (1995) stated that over half of their respondents were male, whereas Donnellan and Snowdon (2000) stated that more than half of their respondents were female. The studies showed similarities in the most common age ranges listed by agricultural communications practitioners : 35-44 and 45-54 years old (Buck & Paulson, 1995) and 46-55 and 36-45 years old, respectively (Donnellan & Snowdon, 2000).…”

“…3). These scientists and communicators were on the forefront of the Cooperative Extension Service, which developed from the Morrill Act of 1862 and the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 (Boone, Meisenbach, & Tucker, 2000;Buck & Paulson, 1995;NASULGC, 1999;Tucker, 1996). Agricultural communicators have long been considered "communicators who have a specialty" (Sprecker & Rudd, 1998, p. 40).…”

“…Similarly, agricultural communication s has several professional groups in which industry members participate. Many of these groups are tailored to specific interests, such as broadcasting or marketing, and provide members with the chance to network, present, and publish research; influence the policy or goals of an organization; and socialize (Buck & Paulson 1995;Donnellan & Snowdon, 2000). In their study of six agricultural communication professional organizations, Buck and Paulson (1995) state:…”

“…Practitioners work in news and reporting, editing, broadcasting (radio and television), electronic and Web-based media, marketing, public relations, and more (ACE, 2004;Bowen & Cooper, 1989;Buck & Paulson , 1995;Scherler, 2001;Sprecker & Rudd, 1998;Terry & Bailey-Evans, 1995). Similarly, agricultural communication s has several professional groups in which industry members participate.…”

Organizational Satisfaction and Participation: ACE Members Speak Out

“…What impact that may have on membership and involvement in ACE is worth further study. Buck and Paulson (1995), who studied members of six national agricultural communications organizations, reported that "the average agricultural communicator is most likely to belong to Agricultural Communicators in Education with the membership dues paid by his or her employer." What is not clear, however, is whether ACE members had their dues paid by their employers or whether the other agricultural communicators in the study had their dues paid by their employers.…”