Simulating Soybean-Rice Crop Rotation and Irrigation Strategies in Arkansas Using APEX

Rice is one of the most prevalent and relied upon resources around the world. Despite such prominence, cultivation techniques for this crop are not perfect. Precise irrigation amounts and optimal crop rotations are still not completely understood. As the global population continues to grow and resources are depleted, maximizing the efficiency of cropping systems becomes more urgent. The goal of this study was to shed light on these questions using the Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model to simulate five fields in soybean-rice rotation in Arkansas. First, the model was calibrated to accurately represent the observed yields in the area. Then, two long-term scenarios were simulated: one in which continuous rice was compared to a soybean-rice rotation in terms of yield, and another in which irrigation amounts were increasingly reduced to see the effects on rice yields. Contrary to expectation, continuous rice showed higher yields in most fields. The results of the reduced irrigation scenario differed by field, but reducing irrigation generally reduced yield in all fields except one with continuous flood irrigation

Recruitment and Onboarding Resources for Extension in the West

Recruitment and retention of competent Extension professionals is a priority for ensuring that Extension remains relevant in communities. Extension program leaders in the West have developed an online resource to support recruiting and onboarding of new Extension professionals. Components of the resource include summaries and short videos featuring Extension professionals from throughout the region discussing Extension work, Extension\u27s history, community relationships, professional expectations, and program assessment. These elements are intended to support each state\u27s recruiting and mentoring programs and to foster a more cohesive approach across Extension for recruitment, onboarding, retention, and program assessment

Remote Indigenous housing procurement and post-occupancy outcomes: a comparative study

James Davidson, Carroll Go-Sam and Paul Memmot

Awards of Excellence Inspire and Motivate Extension Professionals

Extension awards recognize programs that have achieved outstanding accomplishments, results, and impacts in addressing contemporary issues. Whether an individual or a team is recognized, the awardees gain inspiration and motivation and may attain promotion and/or tenure. The Western Region Program Leadership Committee oversees a special award process that recognizes individuals and teams whose program outcomes result in regional and multistate impacts that benefit communities across the West. We describe a rubric that allows for equitable scoring across Extension content areas. Additionally, we recommend that Extension awards programs be expanded and encouraged to promote personal and professional growth

Building new housing in remote Indigenous communities

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS CAN ACCOMPANY CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE. THESE ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE REALISED WHEN CONTRACTING METHODS FOR HOUSING PROCUREMENT ARE ALIGNED TO COMMUNITY NEEDS. ALLIANCE CONTRACTING, WHERE RISKS ARE SHARED, CAN SUPPORT INNOVATION IN THE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM TO ACHIEVE ADDITIONAL SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS

Exploring thematic nightmare content and associated self-harm risk

Nightmares have been shown to be robust predictors of self-harm risk, beyond depressive symptoms and hopelessness at times. However, few studies have investigated associations between nightmare content and increased self-harm risk. The present study explored associations of thematic nightmare content with history of self-harm, and risk of self-harm phenomena the morning following a nightmare. A mixed-method diary study was employed. Prospective nightmare reports were obtained from 72 participants. A total of 47 nightmare reports met inclusion criteria and were analyzed for themes using inductive thematic analysis. Chi-square and bootstrap Pearson’s correlation tests were performed to assess the associations between nightmare themes and self-harm history and risk of self-harm phenomena following a nightmare. ‘Powerlessness to Change Behavior’ was associated a history of self-harm engagement, whereas ‘Financial Hardship’ indicated reduced risk. Themes were not significantly associated with increased risk of self-harm phenomena following a nightmare. Content may be of use in detecting lifetime history of self-harm engagement particularly in populations where disclosure is seen as taboo. However, nightmare symptom severity remains better indicators of risk. Evidence for the utility of nightmare content in assessing immediate self-harm risk is presently lacking. Replication with increased power is recommended