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HallKelseyLynn2008 cmr.pdf (1.84 MB)

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Ohio Non-Organic Grain Farmers' Perceptions of Organic Farming: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Hall, Kelsey Lynn
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406807326

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Human and Community Resource Development.
American and international studies have compared the farming methods, attitudes, demographic characteristics, and communication channels of non-organic and organic farmers. Other studies have only described organic farmers' attitudes toward farming organically, while some studies have revealed the barriers to using organic farming by non-organic farmers. This study was unique since researchers have not explored the perceptions of organic farming by non-organic Ohio corn and wheat growers. The theory of planned behavior was the framework used for this study to describe the attitude toward using non-organic and organic farming methods, subjective norms that influence decisions about farming organically, and perceived behavioral control. Additional components in this study were the barriers toward adopting organic farming, importance of communication channels, and the relationship between demographic characteristics of Ohio grain farmers and their attitude formation. A descriptive survey was mailed to a sample of 320 farmers who were members of the Ohio Corn Growers Association or Ohio Wheat Growers Association. The researcher administered the survey using Dillman's Tailored Design Method. Of the 243 surveys returned, 205 were completed. Respondents reported a positive attitude toward using non-organic farming methods, while a more negative attitude toward using organic farming was reported. Ohio grain farmers in this study believed that organic farming would have more negative outcomes and identified barriers toward adoption. Ohio grain farmers did not indicate pressure from subjective norms to adopt organic farming. Items also measured respondents’ motivation to comply with the opinion of subjective norms. Respondents reported that they did not regard the opinions of subjective norms on what should be done on their farms. Interpersonal communication sources were considered more important influencers than mass media channels when deciding to adopt or not adopt farming practices. Recommendations were made for further research. The researcher also suggested how agricultural communication faculty, Extension educators, and commodity organizations could use mass media and interpersonal communication sources to disseminate messages based on the findings. There were recommendations for how the findings on subjective norms and communication channels may impact curriculum taught by agricultural communication faculty.
Emily Rhoades (Advisor)
Robert Birkenholz (Committee Member)
Linda Lobao (Committee Member)
156 p.
Agriculture

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hall, K. L. (2008). Ohio Non-Organic Grain Farmers' Perceptions of Organic Farming: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406807326

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hall, Kelsey. Ohio Non-Organic Grain Farmers' Perceptions of Organic Farming: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior. 2008. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406807326.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hall, Kelsey. "Ohio Non-Organic Grain Farmers' Perceptions of Organic Farming: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406807326

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.