“`html

Agriculture encompasses more than mere food production — it represents an essential link among individuals, regulations, and technology, with its narrative and human relationships depicted through ancient cave artwork worldwide and nearly every contemporary communication channel since.

At the University of Georgia, scholars Alexa Lamm and Kevan Lamm delve into this intersection via agricultural leadership, education, and communication. In essence, both Lamms are committed to the advancement of that dialogue.

“There is the food system, which we are all familiar with. However, beyond that food system lies this human aspect,” stated Kevan, an associate professor at UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Nurturing connection

The dynamic duo specializes in merging diverse realms through effective communication, and since 2018, their base has been UGA’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication.

Kevan articulates their mission as closing the divide between production agriculture and the consumers, policymakers, and industries dependent upon it.

“We exist at the intersection of production agriculture, consumers, and policymakers — we hold concern for all and strive to assist them in making educated, science-informed choices,” he mentioned.

Alexa Lamm, a professor and director of the Lamm Science Communication Lab, emphasizes how individuals and communities engage with pressing agricultural and environmental matters.

“Food is our universal connector — we all partake of it daily, so choices regarding food are profoundly personal,” she shared.

Having attained an animal science degree from Colorado State University — where she met Kevan through the Block and Bridle Club — she went on to earn a master’s degree in extension education before dedicating nearly ten years as a county extension agent, collaborating directly with agricultural producers.

Hailing from Colorado, Kevan possesses a blend of academic and ranching heritage — his father served as an extension administrator and animal science educator.

He received a bachelor’s degree in engineering; however, his agricultural lineage continuously called him back, eventually motivating him to pursue a doctorate in agricultural leadership development.

At their residence, the couple managed a Simmental cattle ranch close to Denver, Colorado.

“I was a project manager during the day and a rancher at night,” Kevan recounted of his tenure with a Fortune 500 firm. He has since added Extension specialist to his titles of associate professor and researcher at UGA.

Both Lamms stress that hands-on experience — on their ranch, within the county extension field, and in corporate environments — significantly influenced their decision to embark on doctoral studies and academia.

In 2008, the couple relocated to Florida, where they both pursued doctoral degrees prior to being recruited for their current positions at UGA.

Enhancing agricultural science communication

The swift growth of digital media has amplified the demand for effective science communication. Alexa’s research investigates how to communicate intricate agricultural subjects to varied audiences with limited attention spans.

“We’re no longer merely broadcasting a single message into the void that anyone aged 8 to 80 might see,” she explained. “We now have the capability to target our messages and be more strategic than ever.”

Her research center deeply investigates how individuals, groups, and communities perceive vital issues concerning agriculture and environmental sciences.

The experiments and consumer evaluations conducted on any ordinary day span a broad range of topics, including water quality, plastic use, climate variability, food security, food safety, and pest management.

Alexa stated her daily inspiration comes from the tangible changes that can save lives and enable people to enhance their health and wellness.

“If a few more individuals avoid hunger because they have food access, if a few more people enjoy a longer life,” Alexa reflected, “that’s adequate. Assisting just one person is sufficient.”

Her professional achievements indicate she has accomplished that numerous times, and on a broader scale. She has produced over 250 peer-reviewed articles and secured over $70 million in contracts and grants for research.

Collaborators in science

While they pursue distinct research endeavors, Kevan and Alexa also collaborate on interdisciplinary research, Extension, and teaching initiatives where they each contribute their unique viewpoints to the human aspect lens.

For instance, both Lamms have been pivotal in the Real Pork Trust Consortium since its inception in 2023. The progressive research and communications effort harnesses the expertise of five universities and the National Pork Board to comprehend consumer inquiries, concerns, and perceptions.

The Lamms are also co-developing a grant project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that involves a network of biologists, economists, and plant cultivators at commercial greenhouses and nurseries.

The team is experimenting with alternatives to peat for plant growth while assessing market interest and adoption of substitutes globally.

One key issue is that peat — a widely used component in soil mixes — is increasingly costly to harvest and challenging to import. So far, promising domestic alternatives may consist of shredded wood or coconut coir coupled with varied layered substrates.

The Lamms are facilitating communication among scientists, private growers and sellers, and other stakeholders, including economists and extension offices involved in the project.

Throughout the process, their work has captured interest from unforeseen sources, thanks to transparent and effective communication regarding the intriguing research.

“Two of our scientists have already received inquiries from NASA to cultivate food on the space station,” Alexa stated. “That’s the potential outcome when we share our narrative and our activities.”

Innovating the framework for future problem solvers

Kevan depicts much of his work as facilitating dialogue among groups that require mutual understanding.

One of their recent USDA-funded initiatives they are collaborating on explores the breadth of imaginative opportunities in education. The concept introduces students to systems thinking through a gamified choose-your-own-adventure teaching framework.

Kevan serves as the principal investigator for the project, aimed at integrating systems thinking into the classroom in partnership with North Carolina State University, the University of Minnesota, and North Carolina A&T. They have already rolled out a pilot version of the tool in undergraduate classes at UGA, aimed at challenging simplistic cause-and-effect models.

Through experimentation, students encounter more nuanced problem-solving that evaluates downstream effects or unintended consequences in agricultural production and distribution networks.

“We perceive our mission as assisting others in making educated decisions,” he remarked.

Leading through narrative

By melding leadership development with communications, Kevan and Alexa empower individuals in agricultural domains to articulate their stories more effectively. They regard this as a crucial component in contemporary corporate and political landscapes, where personal human experiences can motivate and influence decision-makers.

Their efforts highlight the significance of linking science with society to tackle pressing global challenges, and their collaboration has been integral to their professional accomplishments.

“I don’t believe either of us would be positioned where we are without the other,” Alexa noted. “Whenever we face obstacles, we always have that person who empathizes.”

By refining communication strategies, enhancing sustainability initiatives, and delivering leadership training, the Lamms contribute to a more knowledgeable and resilient agricultural sector.

“Although we offer different expertise from leadership and communication perspectives, the two complement and enhance one another,” Kevan stated. “One of the most rewarding aspects of our roles is the capacity to combine this expertise within the teams we collaborate with, aiming to establish a safer, more reliable, and resilient food system.”

The post Science that communicates originally appeared on UGA Today.

“`