Agriculture Workforce Training for Collaborative Leadership (AWT4CL)

by Ben Casteel --  I have fond memories of my time as a Scout; and though I never made it to Eagle rank, I proudly wore the sash embroidered with the merit badges I earned.  When we began working on digital badging for students in our Agriculture & Natural Resources programs in conjunction with the AWT4CL project , I couldn’t help but to reminisce and draw parallels to the BSA merit badge process .  After two years of piloting the AWT4CL Digital Learning Badges , I strongly believe that there is so much more to these virtual credentials; and what better way to confirm this than by working directly with employers. As a program chair in a technical field, I am not only concerned with grades but even more so for the students employability.  It is for this reason that we meet annually with our Curriculum Advisory Committees at Virginia Highlands Community College.  The Horticulture and Natural Sciences Committee is comprised of 9 representatives (mostly owners/...

Author: Jama S. Coartney     -- Empowering Students Through Curiosity: Embedding the “Ask Good Questions” Badge into Your Curriculum The ability to ask good questions can be a differentiator in the workplace. Beyond the classroom, it’s about cultivating curiosity, fostering deeper understanding, and building authentic professional relationships. Yet, despite its critical role in communication and career readiness, question-asking is often an underdeveloped skill. Why “Asking Good Questions” Matters Research highlights a significant disconnect in perceptions about career readiness. While students rate themselves as fairly competent at asking questions, employers and faculty often disagree. This gap points to a need for intentional instruction and practice to better develop this skill. Asking good questions is particularly crucial in fields like agriculture, where learners frequently interact with diverse stakeholders, including farmers, specialists, and policymakers. Her...

Author: Jama S. Coartney     -- Boosting Workforce Readiness: Integrating the “Listen Effectively” Badge into Your Curriculum Why Listening Matters Now More Than Ever In the evolving workforce, communication is more than just speaking clearly—it’s about truly listening. Listening effectively is a foundational skill for career readiness that too often gets overlooked. According to the APLU report on Critical Growth Areas for Students Today, “Listen Effectively” is a competency where students frequently overestimate their preparedness compared to assessments from faculty and employers. The takeaway? Listening needs a more intentional place in our curricula. As educators and workforce readiness professionals, we can bridge this gap with a simple but impactful tool: digital learning badges . Introducing the Listen Effectively Digital Learning Badge The Listen Effectively Badge is one of three digital learning badges in a professional communication series, alongside Co...

Author: Jama S. Coartney     -- In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to communicate effectively is more than just a useful skill—it's essential for professional success. Whether talking to a farmer, consulting with an extension agent, or discussing agricultural regulations, communication skills play a crucial role. The badge Communicate Effectively—also known as "Communicate Accurately and Concisely"—highlights a key skill that helps learners develop. Improving this skill will help to build the capability to share information clearly and meaningfully. Why Does Effective Communication Matter in Agriculture? Communication is particularly important in agriculture, where people often engage with a variety of stakeholders.  Agricultural work frequently requires collaboration across multiple areas of expertise. Clear communication becomes essential for smooth, productive interactions. Digital learning badges are a tool that can help integrate learning into the curricul...