Peter F. Korsching

Farmers' Attitudes and Behavior toward Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract Recent studies of ideologies of sustainable farmers and conventional farmers suggest that these two groups have differing beliefs, values, and attitudes on agriculture and rural life. Although awareness of these differing attitudes and values is an important step in moving toward educational programs and policies for a more sustainable agriculture, actual behavior may not be predictable from this knowledge. A mail survey of Iowa farmers with membership in Practical Farmers of Iowa, a sustainable agriculture organization, was used to examine the attitude—behavior relationship of these farmers and the role social influences play in this relationship. Attitude and social influence scales were developed, as well as a chemical input index that measures commitment to sustainable practices. The results indicate that, when controlling explanatory factors, the attitude—behavior relationship is moderate and the social influences examined do not facilitate this relationship. Implications for educational pro...

Relationships between information sources and farmers’ conservation perceptions and behavior

Abstract Traditionally the primary sources of information used by farmers in the decision to adopt new practices were, in descending order of importance, (1) other farmers, (2) local agricultural product dealers, and (3) local government agencies. Mass media sources were relatively unimportant. Six hundred southwestern Iowa farmers were interviewed to determine their sources of conservation information. The top three sources named were (1) farm magazines, (2) other farmers, and (3) the Soil Conservation Service. The two sources of information most consistently related to awareness of erosion problems and use of conservation practices were the Soil Conservation Service and magazines. The importance of magazines provides useful implications for soil conservation programs.

Evolution of an agricultural innovation: the N-Trak soil nitrogen test — adopt and discontinue, or reject?

Abstract We examine the adoption of an agricultural innovation by Iowa farmers. Specifically examined is decision-making among Iowa farmers who are considering the adoption of a new soil nitrogen technology. While initial research suggested that this new technology would be adopted by the farmers, that did not prove to be the case. This case highlights the complexity and problems associated with innovation research. Our examination shows that complex terms are used in the adoption of innovations research, and this complexity can lead to generalizations and unreliable conclusions. Also in question is the validity of research when there is no consistency in operationalizing terms.

Local Entrepreneurship: A Development Model Based on Community Interaction Field Theory

Local entrepreneurship shows great potential as an economic development strategy for rural communities with stagnating or declining economies. However, nascent entrepreneurs often lack knowledge of ways to actualize their ideas, and communities often lack the social infrastructure to help entrepreneurs achieve success. Educational programs supporting entrepreneurship can play a vital role in rural community economic development. The Nebraska Enhancing, Developing and Growing Entrepreneurs (EDGE) educational program is community based, with organizing principles derived primarily from community interaction field theory. More than 1,600 nascent and active entrepreneurs have participated in EDGE since 1993. The authors draw on community interaction field theory and eight community case studies to explore an action model for delivery of an educational program of locality-based entrepreneurship. The EDGE model has implications for the delivery of long-range community development programs.

Institutional support for practicing sustainable agriculture

A mail survey of Iowa farmers with membership in the Practical Farmers of Iowa, a sustainable agriculture organization, was used to examine perceptions of institutional support for information on reducing chemical inputs, needed research for farming with sustainable practices, and policy needs for encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable practices. We first developed a chemical input index to measure commitment to sustainable practices and to analyze information sources and research and policy needs. Results indicate that sustainable farmers rely primarily on each other and on their personal experience for information about sustainable practices; they use conventional farm practice information sources considerably less. The primary research need identified by the respondents was for better nonchemical weed control. Other important research needs identified were: nonchemical insect control, new seed varieties, cover crops, alternative tillage methods, and the economics of sustainable systems. The primary policy needs identified were more information and educational programs about sustainable agriculture and increased taxes on farm chemical use. We discuss the implications of the relationship between institutional support and the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices.

Science Communication and the Rationality of Public Opinion Formation

Because research indicates that people’s value orientations significantly affect their opinions about advanced technologies some risk scholars argue that technology policy should reflect the recommendations of experts rather than the opinions of a value-driven public. This suggested approach might be bolstered to the extent that people use substantive (value-driven) rather than formal (reason-driven) rationality when assessing the recommendations of experts. We found evidence that people’s opinions are indeed influenced strongly by their substantive rationality. We nevertheless argue that technology policy formation should rely more rather than less upon public opinions, thereby encouraging further efforts at improving science communication theory and practice.

Community Image and Community Innovativeness

The rural crisis of the 1980s exacerbated the chronic problem of maintaining basic public and private services in rural communities. Although the adoption of innovative service-delivery systems to address these concerns has occurred in rural communities, the extent of such adoption has been limited. Not enough knowledge is currently available on the adoption of innovations by communities to help community development practitioners develop effective diffusion strategies. This paper, as a step to understanding this process, examines the impacts of the adoption of innovations in twenty-two rural Iowa communities. It is hypothesized that rural communities with fatalistic or content self-images are less likely to be innovative than are more-confident and less-content communities. Results support the hypothesis that fatalistic communities are less innovative. Contrary to the hypothesis, however, rural communities with greater contentment are also more innovative. The findings indicate that community development...

Farmer acceptance of alternative conservation policies

Abstract Soil conservation policy and the resultant programs of soil conservation may be viewed as efforts of planned change. A major reason for the failure of conservation programs is the assumptions or criteria upon which conservation policy is based that limit the amount of flexibility for application of programs to unusual or unanticipated situations. The assumptions relate to (1) the economic rationality of men, (2) the homogeneous distribution of knowledge and information across a population of farmers, and (3) the indivualism of the farmer in his decision-making and action. These assumptions have serious implications upon a farmers capacity to implement and maintain conservation practices. The relationship between existing and proposed soil conservation policies and the structure of agriculture are examined, with consideration of these assumptions and the capacity for change. Data on farmer preferences for alternative conservation policies are then examined to determine differential effect by farm structure. Results indicate a definite relationship between farm structure, capacity for change and policy preference.

Soil Erosion as a Community Issue: Public Perceptions of Off-Site Impacts

Research on perceptions of soil erosion and conservation has involved primarily farmers. With off-site impacts being problems of the larger community, however, other sectors of the community also must be included. The literature on community action suggests that in relation to community problems or issues there is no one single public interest to which all will agree. This article examines the differences in perceptions of three community sectors - farmers, agribusiness proprietors, community leaders - of the problems and solutions to reservoir siltation. The three sectors are compared on their perceptions of importance of the lake to the community, the need to solve the siltation problem, who has responsibility for solving the problem, degree of support for different funding alternatives, and effectiveness of possible solutions. Differences found among the three groups support the hypothesis of a lack of a common public interest across different community sectors and provide suggestions for policy and ac...Research on perceptions of soil erosion and conservation has involved primarily farmers. With off-site impacts being problems of the larger community, however, other sectors of the community also must be included. The literature on community action suggests that in relation to community problems or issues there is no one single public interest to which all will agree. This article examines the differences in perceptions of three community sectors - farmers, agribusiness proprietors, community leaders - of the problems and solutions to reservoir siltation. The three sectors are compared on their perceptions of importance of the lake to the community, the need to solve the siltation problem, who has responsibility for solving the problem, degree of support for different funding alternatives, and effectiveness of possible solutions. Differences found among the three groups support the hypothesis of a lack of a common public interest across different community sectors and provide suggestions for policy and action.

Importance of Community Ethnic Background in Community Activeness

Anthropological research suggests that the predominant ethnic background of rural communities is related to the ability of the communities to adapt to social and economic change. A distinction made for Midwest farming communities is between yeoman farming communities of German background and entrepreneur farming communities of English background. This paper examines the effect of ethnicity, both in terms of the specific ethnic group(s) and the homogeneity on participation in the Iowa Community Betterment program. It is hypothesized that the greater the percentage of the population with German ancestry within a community, the more likely the communitys mobilization toward collective action. The findings provide marginal support for this hypothesis, and suggest that community development professionals should approach communities as extremely complex phenomena with a broad complex of factors that ultimately determine the success of development programs.