six pages, The sustainability of organic agriculture is associated with the farmers’ experience, quality of information provided, management of risks, and compliance with legislation. The objectives of this study were to identify the sources used by the organic farmers to gain information related to organic production, and to assess organic farmers’ perceived attitudes towards extension services. To address the research objectives, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 organic farmers in central Pennsylvania. The interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim, categorized and coded, then thematically analyzed using an interpretive description methodology. The results showed that the extension services were not identified as a primary source of information that was frequently used by the organic farmers. Other organic farmers and organizationa for organic agriculture were the two primary sources of informaiton. The organic farmers were very adept at building social capital in seeking informaiton to address their issues and problems. The primary challenges faced by the organic farmers were the control of insects and weeds, and weather-related issues. The results highlighted that in addition to identifying viable information sources, factors such as adaptive capacities to climate change and certification were key to successful production in organic systems. The present study provides rich and deep information on how farmers perceive organic agriculture and extension services. The outcome of the research undertaken will enable planners, policy makers and the related Cooperative Extension personnel to better understand perceptions of the farmers to devise viable and workable policies and plans that address the concerns and challenges of the farmers.
Bowen, Blannie E. (author), Shaffer, Deborah L. (author), and Training and Support Specialist, Computer Services, Pennsylvania State University; Rumberger Professor of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, Pennsylvania State University
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1990
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 80 Document Number: C04596
Notes:
James F. Evans Collection, Mimeographed, 1990. 20 p. (Paper presented at the Agricultural Communicators in Education Research Meeting; 1990 July 16; Minneapolis, MN)
Brown, Diane V. (author / Agricultural Education Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802)
Format:
Report
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 97 Document Number: C07934
Notes:
abstracted from Ed.D., 1991; search through volume, In: Jacquelyn Deeds and Demetria Ford, eds. Summary of Research in Extension (1992-1993). Mississippi State, MS: Department of Agricultural Education and Experimental Statistics, Mississippi State University, July 1994. p. 78
Brown, Emory J. (author) and Hatch, Cordell (author)
Format:
Report
Publication Date:
1962-09
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 40 Document Number: B04518
Notes:
cited reference, State College, PA: Pennsylvania State University, Agricultural and Home Economics Extension Service, 1962. (Extension Studies No. 17) 7 p.
Bruening, Thomas H. (author), Radhakrishna, Rama B. (author), Rollins, Timothy J. (author), and Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1991
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 87 Document Number: C05928
Fidanza, M.A. (author), Turgeon, A.J. (author), and Department of Agronomy, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1990
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 93 Document Number: C06919
Notes:
In: Zazueta, Fedro S., ed. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Computers in Agricultural Extension Programs; 1990 January 31 - February 1; Grosvenor Resort Hotel, Disney World Village, Lake Buenavista, FL. Gainesville, FL : Florida Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, [1990]. p. 649-652