Iowa State University (ISU) and Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) in the Philippines have formalized a new research collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening international cooperation in agricultural research and Extension.
The partnership brings together Dr. Katherine Dentzman, Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology at Iowa State University, and Mr. Solo Mercene, Associate Professor in the College of Agriculture at Nueva Vizcaya State University. Through this collaboration, the faculty members will work jointly to advance qualitative research and Extension skills related to pest management outreach in both countries.
The initial phase of the collaboration will focus on a co-analysis of focus group data collected in Iowa. This research explores how farmers think about weed management practices and how they understand and respond to the implementation of the Endangered Species Act. By working together on data interpretation and methodological approaches, both institutions aim to deepen comparative insights into farmer decision-making and regulatory communication across diverse agricultural contexts.