Determinants of Kansas Farmers' Participation in On-Farm Research

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and applied economics Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 385 - 396
• Main Authors: Goodwin, B. K., Schurle, B. W., Norman, D. W., Freyenberger, S. G., Bloomquist, L. E., Regehr, D. L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.12.1997; Southern Agricultural Economics Association
• Subjects: AGRICULTEUR; AGRICULTORES; AGRICULTURA COMERCIAL; AGRICULTURE COMMERCIALE; CAPACITACION; COMMERCIAL FARMING; CONCIENCIA SOCIAL; CONSCIENCE SOCIALE; DURABILITE; ENCUESTAS SOBRE EXPLOTACIONES; ENQUETE SUR EXPLOITATIONS AGRICOLES; FARM MANAGEMENT; FARM SURVEYS; farmer attitudes; farmer participation; FARMERS; FARMERS' ATTITUDES; FARMING SYSTEMS; farming systems research; FORMATION; GESTION DE L'EXPLOITATION AGRICOLE; INVESTIGACION; KANSAS; MANEJO DE FINCAS; METHODE STATISTIQUE; METODOS ESTADISTICOS; on-farm research; ON-FARM TRAINING; RECHERCHE; REGRESSION ANALYSIS; SISTEMAS DE EXPLOTACION; SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS; SOSTENIBILIDAD; STATISTICAL METHODS; SUSTAINABILITY; sustainable agriculture; SYSTEME D'EXPLOITATION AGRICOLE; TRAINING; on-farm research; farming systems research; farmer participation; farmer attitudes; sustainable agriculture
• ISSN: 1074-0708; 2056-7405; 1074-0708
• DOI: 10.1017/S1074070800007872

On-farm research (OFR) has increased in popularity in the U.S. in recent years due to heightened interest in sustainability issues, the likely decline in resources available for agricultural research, and increasing pressures for accountability and responsiveness to state and local needs. Information relating to OFR was obtained from 431 commercial Kansas farmers. Data were analyzed to determine the degree of OFR being implemented, and three models were estimated to identify which farmer/farm characteristics influenced its implementation. The results indicate that OFR is commonly implemented, and that several farm/farmer characteristics are related to the degree of OFR initiated. It is proposed that to maximize the return from externally initiated OFR, there would be merit in focusing attention on farms/farmers with those characteristics.