106 Virginia Tech Graduate Extension Scholars program: Artificial insemination course for inmates

Abstract The Graduate Extension Scholar program has the purpose of providing graduate students a unique professional development opportunity to develop high quality outreach programs, where the students actively participate extension and outreach. Weekly seminars are held by the program director and the graduate assistants, where program development and engagement strategies are presented to prepare the scholar. The program has existed since 2014, with 14 scholars participating. The present report is related to a single program during the fall of 2018. An artificial insemination course was taught for inmates with the Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC). A total of 16 students were taught, being 4 farm employees and 12 inmates from two locations within VDOC. Inmates with minor offenses and good behavior get the opportunity to often work in the prison farms and learn farming as a skill. The objective of the present work was to provide inmates with an extra valuable skill in the farm and improve their work experience. The course was held in the Greenville correction facility for 2 days in the fall of 2018 and consisted of two portions: Hands-on theoretical, and live animal interaction. The theoretical portion was planned to provide students basic knowledge of reproductive anatomy and physiology of the cow, the artificial insemination (AI) technique, and proper semen handling. This portion consisted of a power point presentation and practice of technique on tracts from slaughter animals and simulation of rectal palpation with a mannequin (Breed’n Betsy). During the animal interaction portion of the class, students were able to practice the technique on culled cows and were asked to perform the technique correctly on 3 different animals. At the completion of the program, a survey was performed and all students considered the program positive and claimed to have gained knowledge and become confident with the technique.