"The argument advanced here is that actor-network theory is useful in analyzing conservation agriculture as a radically different agriculture: a new paradigm with new beliefs about soils, plants, and environment, and farmers themselves as well as new crop production systems."
James F. Evans Collection, Using data obtained from National Opinion Research Center's General Social Surveys (1973-1990), this paper tests two hypotheses concerning possible changes in the sociopolitical correlates of environmental concern. The "broadening base" hypothesis predicts that environmental concern will diffuse throughout the populace, while the "economic contingency" hypothesis predicts that the economically deprived will disproportionally withdraw support for environmental protection during poor economic conditions. analysis of the data over the 18 years, however, failed to lend any clear support for either of the hypotheses. In marked contrast, results indicate that the social bases of environmental concern-at least as measured by the NORC environmental spending item-have remained remarkably stable over nearly two decades despite fluctuating economic, political, and environmental conditions. Younger adults, the well-educated, political liberals, Democrats, those raised and currently living in urban areas, and those employed outside of primary industries were found to be consistently more supportive of environmental protection than were their respective counterparts. (original)
Ladewig, Howard (author), McIntosh, William Alex (author), Thomas, John K. (author), and Department of Rural Sociology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1990
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 94 Document Number: C07177
INTERPAKS, Explores a frequently neglected aspect of adoption, namely how family characteristics influence utilization decision. The authors question the typical view of farmers as "individualistic actors", and direct research toward kinship arrangements, extended family networks, and group reinforcement for adoption decisions. The research centers on adoption of soil conservation practices in the Palouse are of Washington and Idaho. The findings demonstrate a definite link between kinship arrangements and adoption behavior: 1) farming with other relatives introduces additional information and opportunities for innovation; 2) two generations farming together tend to be more sensitive to future implications of production technologies. The research is limited to one area and one type of innovation, but it does raise the important issue of how the social organization of production affects adoption decisions.
Bauder, James W. (author), Patakovich, Sandy (author), Saltiel, John (author), and Department of Sociology, Montana State University; Department of Plant and Soil Science, Montana State University; Department of Sociology, Montana State University
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 100 Document Number: C08414
searched through journal, This paper employs diffusion and farm-structure variables to explain variations in Montana farmers' adoption of two kinds of sustainable agricultural practices: those involving intensive management and those which require fewer purchased inputs. While perceived profitability was found to be the most important factor affecting adoption of both, the independent variables had different effects on beliefs about net economic returns as well as on adoption of the two practices. Type of farm enterprise played a larger role in adoption of the low-input practices than the management intensive ones; access to information was more important for the latter. Implications for the policy are discussed.
