Experience

• Professor of Agricultural Communications, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education and Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Penn State, 2002
• Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education and Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Penn State, 1991-2002
• Affiliate Associate Professor of Education (Adult Education program), Department of Adult Education, Instructional Systems, and Workforce Education and Development, College of Education, Penn State, 1991-
• Coordinator for Staff Development, College of Agriculture & Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology, Penn State, 1988-1991
• Coordinator for Staff Development, Penn State Cooperative Extension & Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology, 1980-88
• Assistant for Cooperative Relations, Penn State Cooperative Extension & Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology, 1973-80
• Rural Development Coordinator, U.S. Department of Agriculture through IPA (Intergovernmental Personnel Act), 1972-73
• Assistant Home Economics Leader, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Central Region & Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology, 1972
• Research Associate, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Penn State University, 1970-71
• Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Journalism, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1969-70

Professional Certification

• CFCS, Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences, charter member American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, (AAFCS)

Education

• Ph.D. Mass Communications
  University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1969
  Dissertation: Factors Influencing the Induction and Resolution of Cognitive Inconsistency and Stress. Published Journalism Quarterly 49:3 (Autumn 1972) 437-45; 459.
• M.S. Agricultural Journalism,
  University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1965
• B.S. Home Economics Journalism (high honors),
  University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1964

Office

102 Ferguson Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-3825
Fax: 814-863-4753
E- mail: jthomson@psu.edu

Responsibilities

• Professor in-charge, Agricultural Communications minor
• Professor in-charge, Graduate programs in Agricultural and Extension Education and Youth and Family Education
• Project director, Kellogg Keystone 21 project: Expanding the Dialogue about the Food System: Using a Media Forum to Enhance Communications Among Food System Stakeholders

Research Interests

• Food systems communication
• Non-formal adult education/outreach
• Technology-based learning

Courses Taught

• AGCOM 462W, Advanced Agricultural Writing
• AEE 590, Colloquium
• AEE 515/R SOC 515, Cooperative Extension

Selected Publications

Articles in peer-reviewed journals:

• Thomson, J. S. and S. B. Stringer. (2000). First-Year Seminar: Using Technology to Explore Professional Issues and Opportunities Across Locations. Journal of General Education, 49 (1), 66-73.
• Abel, J., J. Thomson, and A. Maretzki. (1999). Extension's Role with Farmers' Markets: Working with Farmers, Consumers, and Communities. Journal of Extension, 37 (5). 5 pages, October <http://www.joe.org/joe/1999october/a4.html>
• Donaldson, J. L. and J. S. Thomson. (1999). Interpersonal Communication Strengthens Web-Based Instruction. Journal of Applied Communications, 83 (3), 22-32.
• Donaldson, J. L., J. S. Thomson, P. R. Whittington, and N. O. Nti. (1999). Computer Access, Usage, and Literacy of Undergraduates in the Agricultural Sciences. NACTA Journal, 43 (3), 20-29: September.
  Honorable Mention, NACTA Journal Award, 2000 NACTA annual meeting.

Publication/Video (for sale)

• S. Nunnery, J. S. Thomson, and A. N. Maretzki. (2000). Edible Connections: Changing the Way We Talk About Food, Farm, and Community, A Planning Guide for Conducting a Food Communications Forum with supporting video. Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. Downloadable Order Form.

Refereed papers

• Thomson, J. S., J. L. Abel, and A. N. Maretzki. (2001). Edible Connections: A Model to Facilitate Citizen Dialogue and Build Community Collaboration." Journal of Extension, 39:2 April (4 pages) http://www.joe.org/joe/2001april/a5.html.
• Thomson, J. S., J. L. Abel, and A. N. Maretzki. (2001). Edible Connections: A Model for Citizen Dialogue Used to Discuss Local Food, Farm, and Community Issues. Journal of Applied Communications. 85:1: 25-42 (March).
• Abel, J. and J. Thomson. (2000). Assessing the Involvement of Pennsylvania Professional Planners in Food System Activities. Joint annual meeting of Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society (AFHVS) and Association for the Study of Food, and Society (ASFS), New York, NY. June.
• Thomson, J. S. and A. N. Maretzki. (2000). Edible Connections: A Planning Guide for Conducting a Food Communications Forum. Educational session, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Chicago, IL. June.
• Thomson, J. S. and A. N. Maretzki, S. Nunnery, and S. B. Stringer. (1999). Edible Connections: Forging Linkages Among Universities and Local Communities. Best Practices in Outreach and Public Service Conference, University Park, PA. October 12.
• Stringer, S. B and J. S. Thomson. (1999). Defining Agricultural Issues: Daily Newspaper Editorsâ Perspectives. ACE/NETC annual meeting, Knoxville, TN. (12 pages) June 14.
• Thomson, J. S., A. N. Maretzki, S. Nunnery, and J. MacIsaac. (1999). Expanding the Dialogue about the Food System: Using a Food Communications Forum to Enhance Communications Among Food System Stakeholders. ACE/NETC annual meeting, Knoxville, TN. June 13.
• Maretzki, A. N., J. S. Thomson, and S. Nunnery. (1999). Edible Connections, A Food Communications Forum: Changing the Way We Talk About Food, Farm, and Community. Joint annual meetings of the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society (AFHVS), Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS), and the Food Choice Group. Toronto, Canada. June 4.
• Stringer, S. B and J. S. Thomson. (1999). Sources of Agricultural News in Pennsylvania Daily Newspapers: An Evaluation by Editors and Reporters. Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) annual meeting, Blacksburg, VA. April 8-9.