Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Haught_Thesis_12Aug2017.pdf (3.79 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

An Examination of Contemporary Initiatives to Facilitate Sustainable Agriculture Experiences

Haught, Stacy C
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1502631347157021

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
Recent reports suggest the number of farmers exiting the profession is increasing while at the same time the number of individuals entering farming is steadily declining. This information has led to questions among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners as to who will grow our food in the future, where the next generation of farmers will come from, and how the viability of new farming operations can be supported. Situated in the beginning farmer experience, on-farm apprenticeships, internships, and volunteer positions have been gaining federal government support and public participation over the past three decades. The trend has created a need for social scientific examination of this type of unwaged farm labor, to which only a handful of studies have contributed thus far. This study analyzed data collected from a national survey of sustainable agriculture organizations (n=65) to examine questions related to the extent of facilitation of on-farm work experiences, values that the organizations hold related to facilitation, challenges to facilitation, and organizational characteristics associated with facilitation. A framework for organizational practice was used to develop a model of on-farm work experience facilitation, and the Community Capitals Framework was used to examine perceived values and challenges of facilitation. Findings from this study indicated that 58% of sustainable agriculture organizations facilitate on-farm work experiences. Human capital was prevalent in explaining why sustainable agriculture organizations choose to be involved in facilitating on-farm work experiences. Financial capital was prevalent in explaining why organizations choose not to be involved in on-farm work experiences. Sourcing government funding and seeking to engage disadvantaged populations were two characteristics found to be associated with organizations choosing to facilitate on-farm work experiences. Results indicate that while most facilitators perceive value in helping to lower barriers to entry for aspiring farmers, train new farmers, and connect older farmers with potential successors, uncertain availability of funding and lack of pay for farm interns present challenges. The results of this study may be used to inform the development of new farmer training programs as well as considerations for beginning farmer policy. This study adds to the limited body of literature on the topics of sustainable agriculture organizations and on-farm apprenticeships, internships and volunteer positions.
Kristi Lekies (Advisor)
Linda Lobao (Committee Member)
Jill Clark (Committee Member)
186 p.
Environmental Studies
sustainable agriculture, on-farm apprenticeship, on-farm internship, on-farm volunteer, on-farm work experience, sustainable agriculture organizations

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Haught, S. C. (2017). An Examination of Contemporary Initiatives to Facilitate Sustainable Agriculture Experiences [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1502631347157021

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Haught, Stacy. An Examination of Contemporary Initiatives to Facilitate Sustainable Agriculture Experiences . 2017. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1502631347157021.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Haught, Stacy. "An Examination of Contemporary Initiatives to Facilitate Sustainable Agriculture Experiences ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1502631347157021

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1502631347157021
447
© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.