02/09/1993

Public's Attitude Toward Agriculture Studied

AUBURN, Ala. - During the 1980s, American farmers were considered victims of the farm crisis. However, a recent study suggests that public compassion for farmers may now be shadowed with suspicions about agriculture's stewardship of the land and environment.

This information comes from a survey, entitled "Food, Farming, and the Environment," that was conducted in 1992 under the auspices of a U.S. Department of Agriculture-Cooperative State Research Service study committee. Joe Molnar, alumni professor of agricultural economics and rural sociology at Auburn University and a researcher in the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, developed and conducted the survey and has been analyzing the responses.

The study's objectives, said Molnar, were to evaluate public perceptions about the impact of agriculture, assess changes in the public's support for farming principles and the farm family, and evaluate the knowledge and beliefs of the public about the use and possible impacts of new technology in agriculture.

"This study follows up on a previous study that was conducted in 1986 to evaluate how American's felt about agriculture in general," Molnar said.

"This is the most current and comprehensive data on the relationship between agriculture and society and what the American public expects of agriculture's treatment of the environment," he explained.

Molnar noted that the public's view of farming has changed during the past decade. "In the 1980s farmers were viewed more as victims of the farm crisis," he said. "In the 1990s they are viewed more as perpetrators of environmental problems. The high cost of farm programs does not help their case."

Responses to the survey suggest that the public supports agriculture, but is concerned about possible negative aspects of agricultural production and policy. For example, responses to questions on environmental concerns imply that the public has conflicting beliefs about agricultural stewardship.

"About half the sample thought that American farmers used more chemicals than were necessary to produce food," Molnar said. "However, some 47 percent thought that farmers used pesticides and chemicals safely."

More than 50 percent thought that farmers should be held accountable for their management of land and environment. Yet few respondents thought that farming practices were major polluters of drinking water.

"More than 70 percent of the survey respondents said they would be willing to pay more for food that could be produced in ways that protect the environment," said Molnar. "That indicates a public commitment to the environment."

"We also asked people who they trusted as a source of information about the impact of ag chemicals on the environment," he continued. "They seemed to trust university professors the most. Television documentaries also received significantly higher ratings, then government scientists and magazine articles. There was a big drop off from business and government officials, and celebrities were last."

On issues of governmental control, respondents indicated that government programs should focus on family farms. Many also supported the use of government programs for agriculture if these programs could help ensure a reliable food supply. However, nearly 50 percent of the respondents also thought that farmers should compete on the free market without government support.

In addition, nearly 70 percent of the survey respondents thought that today's food is fresher than it has ever been. And more than 90 percent thought that economic problems within agriculture will affect the entire country.

While these results do not provide a consensus about Americans' attitudes toward agriculture, the results do provide clues that may help policy makers better understand the public's view. That information can then be employed by policy makers and agricultural leaders.

"Using this study, we can better understand where the public wants us to go and what the perceived problems are," Molnar said. "We can find out if our current farm and environmental policies are out of step or in synch with what the public thinks. It also can help us determine where the needs are for public education, where they fall short of understanding the realities facing farmers."

-30-

News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
Contact Katie Jackson, 334-844-5886 or smithcl@auburn.edu

February 9, 1993