Research

Exploring Emerging ANR Issues: A Case Study of VR Tour Integration for Specialty Crop Communication

Authors

• • Gabriel Spandau gspandau@tnstate.edu Email Gabriel Spandau. (compose email, opens in email app.)
  • Tennessee State University
• • Jamie Loizzo
  • University of Florida
• • Caroline Barnett
  • University of Florida
• • Becky Raulerson
  • University of Florida
• • Courtney Meyers
  • Texas Tech University
• • Gaea Hock
  • Kansas State University

Abstract

Agricultural and natural resources (ANR) communication students must be prepared to engage diverse stakeholders in science-based dialogue about emerging topics. This study examined the integration of a virtual reality (VR) tour into two undergraduate ANR communication courses to enhance student awareness, perceptions, and knowledge of the specialty crops hemp and kratom within a land grant university research context. Guided by place-based education (PbEd), the VR tour featured immersive content from a land grant university research center in the southeastern U.S. and was followed by a post-retrospective questionnaire completed by 30 students. Quantitative results revealed significant increases in students’ awareness of research, legality, and medicinal properties of both crops, with greater shifts observed for kratom. While perceptions of hemp improved modestly, kratom perceptions showed statistically significant positive changes across all measured dimensions. Open-ended responses emphasized learning about kratom’s medical uses and hemp’s legal status. The VR tour supported ANR literacy development by virtually connecting students with scientists and research environments. Findings suggest VR tours are effective tools for enhancing ANR communication competencies and engaging students with complex agricultural issues. Implications include the potential for VR to support interdisciplinary instruction, stakeholder engagement, and broader outreach. Recommendations for future research include exploring further VR integration into ANR communication curricula, long-term impacts, and the role of immersive technologies in supporting diverse learners.

Keywords: virtual reality, kratom, hemp, communication, specialty crops

How to Cite: Spandau, G. , Loizzo, J. , Barnett, C. , Raulerson, B. , Meyers, C. & Hock, G. (2026) “Exploring Emerging ANR Issues: A Case Study of VR Tour Integration for Specialty Crop Communication”, Journal of Applied Communications. 110(3). doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/jac.20862