DeWeese, June L. (author), Esslinger, Donald L. (author), McCorkle, Constance M. (author), and McCorkle: Research Assistant Professor, Department of Rural Sociology, University of Missouri, Columbia; Esslinger: Professor and Interim Director, Extension Information and Agricultural Editor, University of Missouri, Columbia; DeWeese: Social Science Librarian, University of Missouri, Columbia
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1988
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 74 Document Number: C03706
Notes:
James F. Evans Collection, Mimeographed, 1988. 28 p. Paper presented to the Global Information/Communication Session of the 1988 Farming Systems Research and Extension Symposium; 1988 October 9-12; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Gwin, P.H. (author), Lionberger, H.F. (author), and Professor, Department of Rural Sociology, University of Missouri, Columbia; Professor of Extension Education, University of Missouri, Columbia
Format:
Book
Publication Date:
1982
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 57 Document Number: C01495
Notes:
Mason E. Miller Collection, Two copies, Danville, IL : Interstate printers & publishers, Inc., 1982. 265 p.
18 pages., Via online journal., The study asserts that rural villages which have developed relatively complex communication systems have extensive local knowledge and practice systems. Using the knowledge and community-based perspective, the study departs from past works of development communication scholars, who have focused their attention mainly on the transfer of information. The study is concerned with how meaning is created and shared in rural communities through the use of communication. It looks at how small homogenous farming communities in Thailand – world’s number one rice exporter – utilize communication to improve rice crop production. It asks: what roles does communication play in the formation of collective definitions (perspectives) and the construction/management of local knowledge and practices on rice farming? To explore the plausibility of this paper’s assertion, ethnographies of two rice farming villages were conducted – Baan Sap Som Boon (irrigated) in Chainat province (Central Region) and Baan Hua Hae (rainfed) in Ubon Ratchathani province (Northeast Region). Data generation period was from October 2004 to July 2005. Research results indicate that Baan Sap Som Boon has both an extensive knowledge of rice farming methods and procedures and an elaborate community-based communication system. Baan Hua Hae, on the other hand, practices more traditional means of rice production and divides time with other livelihood activities. In both villages, communication plays a central role in improving crop production via facilitating the formation of collective definitions on rice farming, labor, economics and agriculture-related institutions.
