Collette, W. Arden (author), Easley, Gail (author), and Assistant Agricultural Economist, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida; Research Assistant, Food and Resource Economics Department, University of Florida
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1978
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 42 Document Number: B04912
Awa, Njoku E. (author), Van Crowder, L., Jr. (author), and Department of Communication Arts, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; Department of Communication Arts, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1978-03
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 42 Document Number: B04922
Brodt, Sonja B. (author), Klonsky, Karen (author), Tourte, Laura (author), Duncan, Roger (author), Hendricks, Lonnie (author), Ohmart, Cliff (author), and Verdegaal, Paul (author)
Format:
Research paper
Publication Date:
2004-12
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 147 Document Number: C23445
The authors consider the adoption of biologically integrated agricultural practices from the perspective of farm management style. Adoption decisions for farming practices must fit into a broader farm decision-making context that incorporates economic, environmental, social, family and personal considerations, as well as use of agricultural information sources. Drawing from a study of California almond and winegrape growers, the authors demonstrate that management styles differ substantially among farmers and that these differences affect use of information sources and adoption of biologically based practices on the farm. A two-season mail survey of farming practices and information sources demonstrated that differences in management styles affect the adoption of practices.
AGRICOLA IND 92020546, Effective delivery methods are important to the impact of Extension programs. The effectiveness of delivering Extension programs can be increased by matching the information channels used by Extension to those preferred by segments of the clientele. This study explores the preference patterns of clientele for obtaining information. The influence of selected individual and structural characteristics on those patterns also is examined. Data from a mail survey (using the Total Design Method, or TDM) of small farm operators from six countries in Florida indicate that preference patterns vary. The analysis, using confirmatory factor analysis, verified the presence of a lower cost preference pattern and two higher cost patterns, on focused on individual consultation and the other on group educational activities. Regression analysis also was used to determine the influence of selected individual level and structural level characteristics on the emergence of different preference patterns. These results can be used as a guide to maximize contact in delivering information to various segments of Extension audiences. (original)
