Ohio Survey of Food, 
Agriculture, 
and the Environment

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Survey

Map

Reports

Specific Questions

PowerPoint Presentations and Summaries

Data Collection

Sample Characteristics

Attitudes Toward Farming

Trust in Farmers

Attitudes Toward Livestock Facilities in Ohio

Support of Local Foods and Organics

Attitudes Toward Biotechnology
 
 

Project Team Members: Jeff Sharp, Bill Flinn, Mark Tucker, Molly Bean Smith, Greg Davis, Denny Hall, Jerry Thomas, Sherrie Whaley

Project Summary:

The objective of the Ohio Survey of Food, Agriculture, and the Environment is to generate empirical measures of Ohioans’ current knowledge, attitudes and behaviors on emerging and potentially contentious food, agricultural, and environmental issues within the state. Drawing on disciplinary knowledge in the fields of rural sociology, agricultural communication, and extension education, the research will evaluate the extent to which social capital (the social networks and trust among diverse Ohio stakeholders) and communication networks (the information sources and the trust of these sources) mediate or influence knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to these issues. Three broad topical food, agricultural and environmental issues will be examined by the study:  Ohio rural land-use, particularly farmland or open-space preservation; structural change in production agriculture, especially changes in the livestock sector; and emerging food safety and health issues, such as genetically modified organisms in production agriculture and foodstuffs.  A statewide survey of rural and urban Ohio residents is proposed to elicit this information.  Results will be analyzed and papers and bulletins will be delivered to disciplinary audiences, interested college audiences, such as the Dairy Expansion Taskforce, and extension and stakeholder audiences.

Funding:  Combination of Team/Dept. HCRD (35%), Extension (25%), OARDC (25%), College (15%)

Data Collection Methodology:  Mail survey, utilizing a modified total design method (pre-notification letter, survey mailing with incentive, reminder postcard, replacement survey mailing, final reminder postcard).
Sample:  Six sampling frames were utilized and the sample was generated by Experian (a private mailing list provider).  The samples included:  Core metropolitan counties and each of the five extension districts.

OSU Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, age, gender identity or expression, disability, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or veteran status. 

Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, OSU Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 ( Ohio only) or 614-292-1868