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Integrating Expert Insights into Agricultural Risk Education

Emmanuel Okolo and Victoria Thomas

Summary

Agricultural risk management is a vital part of agricultural education and leadership development, especially as producers face increasing challenges from climate change, financial, institutional, and market constraints. Effective risk education must prepare learners to understand these challenges and apply practical strategies that support resilience and long-term sustainability. This study draws on expert discussions from four Texas-based agricultural podcasts between 2019 and 2025 to inform Extension and leadership education. Using qualitative content analysis of selected podcasts transcripts, the study identified major risk topics and practical strategies that can be translated into teaching and training materials. The goals were to identify prevailing agricultural risk and to develop expert-informed risk management for Extension programming. Three major instructional themes emerged: environmental stressors and natural hazards, risk mitigation and adaptation strategies, and infrastructure, marketing, and logistics challenges. These themes guided the design of climate-smart learning modules focused on drought resilience, wildfire mitigation, stress-tolerant crops, livestock supplementation, market risk tools, and mental health awareness. The modules emphasize applied learning through examples such as improved irrigation practices, wildfire preparedness, and adoption of stress-tolerant crop varieties. By translating expert conversation into structured learning content, this work supports Extension educators in creating relevant, practical, and learner-centered risk education. Using podcasts as a source of expert knowledge also demonstrates an accessible way to keep educational programs current, responsive, and closely connected to real-world agricultural challenges.

Details

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