OLC Conference Presentation April 2007 n

What Ohioans Think about Agriculture: 

What Ohioans Think about Agriculture 2007 OLC Annual Meeting & Industry Symposium Jeff S. Sharp, Ohio State University April 3, 2007

Core Project of the SRI: 

Core Project of the SRI

Goals of Survey Project: 

Goals of Survey Project Study topical and emergent FAE issues Data for planning and evaluation Track changes across time Cohort effects: older versus younger generations Intervening events, such as Mad cow; energy, etc. Changes in knowledge or awareness due to an educational campaign, or societal trend

Goals of Today’s Presentation: 

Goals of Today’s Presentation Describe Ohioans attitudes about the food and farming system Identify important factors associated with Ohioans attitudes and behaviors related to farming Prompt some strategic thinking about challenges and opportunities presented by this research

2006 Survey: 

2006 Survey Mail survey returned from 1,729 Ohioans Response rate of 55% Respondents compare favorably to known characteristics of Ohio population A higher proportion of respondents were homeowners than is true of Ohio’s general population Just over 3 percent of respondents resided on a farm

Ohioans Knowledge of How/Where Food is Grown: 

Ohioans Knowledge of How/Where Food is Grown

Self-reported level of knowledge about how or where food is grown: 

Self-reported level of knowledge about how or where food is grown

Percent “Very Knowledgeable” by region: 

Percent “Very Knowledgeable” by region

Percent “Not at all knowledgeable” by Age: 

Percent “Not at all knowledgeable” by Age

Ohioans Views of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Issues: 

Ohioans Views of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Issues

Issue Concern (% Very Concerned): 

Issue Concern (% Very Concerned)

Views of Farming: 

Views of Farming Overall, farming positively contributes to the quality of life in Ohio 2006: 88 percent agree or strongly agree 2004: 90 percent 2002: 92 percent

Ag & Economy: 

Ag & Economy Ohio’s Economy will suffer if the state continues to lose farmers 2006: 84 percent agree or strongly agree 2004: 85 percent 2002: 80 percent NEW: Even though farmers are a small proportion of Ohio’s population, many jobs in the state are dependent on a successful farming sector 2006: 72 percent agree or strongly agree

Views of Farmers: 

Views of Farmers I trust Ohio farmers to protect the environment 2006: 63 percent agree or strongly agree 2004: 67 percent 2002: 60 percent

Food Safety: 

Food Safety Food is not as safe as it was 10 years ago 2006: 44% agree or strongly agree 2004: 47% 2002: 39%

Animal Welfare: 

Animal Welfare In general, increased regulation of the treatment of animals in farming is needed 2006: 51 percent agree or strongly agree 2004: 47 percent 2002: 48 percent

Concern about Large-Scale Poultry/Livestock Development: 

Concern about Large-Scale Poultry/Livestock Development

Concern about Large-scale Livestock by region, 2002-06*(% Very Concerned): 

Concern about Large-scale Livestock by region, 2002-06* (% Very Concerned) *Response options changed between 2002 & 2004

% Very Concerned by age: 

% Very Concerned by age

Ohioans Participation in Rural/Farm Related Activities: 

Ohioans Participation in Rural/Farm Related Activities

Participation in Rural/Farm Related Activities: 

Participation in Rural/Farm Related Activities

The Social Basis of Agricultural Behaviors & Attitudes: 

The Social Basis of Agricultural Behaviors & Attitudes

Factors associated with Participation in Rural/Farm Related Activities: 

Factors associated with Participation in Rural/Farm Related Activities Older Ohioans, persons who grew up on a farm, current farm residents, and Farm Bureau members are more likely to engage in Rural/Farm Related activities More educated, urban, and suburban Ohioans less likely to engage in rural/farm related activities Persons with pro-environmental behaviors more likely to participate in rural/farm related activities

Factors associated with Agricultural Knowledge: 

Factors associated with Agricultural Knowledge Strong association between level of participation in ag/rural related activities and knowledge Additional positive association between age, growing up on a farm, frequency of visiting with a farmer, and pro-environmental behaviors Women report lower levels of knowledge relative to men

Factors associated with pro-agricultural attitudes: 

Factors associated with pro-agricultural attitudes Strong association between participation in rural/farm activities and supportive attitudes Stronger ag. support among older Ohioans, those more frequently conversing with farmers, more politically conservative, and persons engaging in pro-environmental behaviors Ag. support lower among residents of core cities and suburbs

Factors Associated with Agro-Environmental Concern: 

Factors Associated with Agro-Environmental Concern Greater concern about agriculture and the environment among women, older Ohioans, farm residents, among those participating in rural/farm related activities, and those with pro-environmental behaviors Concern lower among more educated, those frequently conversing with farmers, and Farm Bureau members

5 ideas to take away from this presentation: 

5 ideas to take away from this presentation

#1: Agriculture Enjoys Widespread Support among Ohioans: 

#1: Agriculture Enjoys Widespread Support among Ohioans

#2: Must Prepare for Generational Transitions: Knowledge, participation & support consistently higher among older Ohioans: 

#2: Must Prepare for Generational Transitions: Knowledge, participation & support consistently higher among older Ohioans

#3: Farmer-Nonfarmer Relationships Matter: Visiting with a farmer associated with increased support & reduced concerns(63% of Ohioans report having no conversations with farm household members): 

#3: Farmer-Nonfarmer Relationships Matter: Visiting with a farmer associated with increased support & reduced concerns (63% of Ohioans report having no conversations with farm household members)

#4: Building Bridges to Nonfarmers—Participation in Farm & Rural “Recreation” Strongly Associated with Knowledge & Attitudes:Must be prepared for the consequence, though: 

#4: Building Bridges to Nonfarmers—Participation in Farm & Rural “Recreation” Strongly Associated with Knowledge & Attitudes: Must be prepared for the consequence, though

#5: Is There any Common Ground with the Environmental Community?: Many Ohio “environmentalists” self report strong interest and sympathy for the food & farming sector: 

#5: Is There any Common Ground with the Environmental Community?: Many Ohio “environmentalists” self report strong interest and sympathy for the food & farming sector

Next Steps: 

Next Steps Focus on Farm Animal Welfare Team of sociologists and animal scientists Spring 2007 Ohio and National survey focusing on farm animal welfare attitudes and knowledge 2008 Statewide survey Continue to track attitudes about agriculture; focus on consumer, values, and food consumption

Questions?: 

Questions? Contact Information: Jeff S. Sharp sharp.123@osu.edu 614-292-9410 http//.ohiosurvey.osu.edu