Identifying factors for farmers to adopt new farming techniques

Pearcy, Ryan

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/29576 Copy

Description

Title

Identifying factors for farmers to adopt new farming techniques

Author(s)

Pearcy, Ryan

Issue Date

2012-02-01T00:56:18Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Anderson, James C., II

Department of Study

Human & Community Development

Discipline

Agricultural Education

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Farmer Learning Techniques
• Motivation for Adoption

Abstract

Farming in the United States is a triumph that is unique in world history. While not the first society to actively strive to educate farmers, American agriculturalists have benefitted from a well-constructed extension network coupled with a large information laden agriculture industrial base. When one considers the ever evolving agricultural technology and practices that are constructed at an even faster rate, there is a continuing need to understand what truly influences a farmer to augment their current practices. Research was conducted through mailings amongst Midwestern and Northeastern farmers in order to gauge the state of American farmer’s influences for adoption. Sixty-three farmers were surveyed on their educational levels as well as learning preferences to glean which instructional strategies may be considered most beneficial to knowledge acquisition. Results indicated that online and other media learning is growing especially in younger generations. In addition, social learning through the dissemination of information from friends and family was still a powerful method that was utilized by the group of farmers. Also, respondents reported that economic justification, congruency with current practices, enjoyment, family acceptance, and availability of a local knowledgeable farmer were the most influential factors in adopting new practices. These findings have implications for extension educators in understanding what avenues one can take to encourage farming practice adoption or modification.

Graduation Semester

2011-12

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/29576

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2011 Ryan Pearcy

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