Dear Readers:
I would like to bring your attention to the article, Minnesota extension
agents' knowledge and views of alternative agriculture in American Journal of
Alternative Agriculture, Volume 10, Number 3, 1995, p.122-128.
Abstract. I interviewed 19 county agricultural extension agents about
their views of alternative agriculture as it is being promoted by sustainable
agricultue groups in Minnesota. They varied considerably in how much they
knew about it, their openness to it, and how heavily they were involved in it.
County extension agents share broad economic and environmental goals with
sustainable farming advocacy groups, but many believe that agriculture is
already working to meet those goals and are skeptical of the feasibility of
alternative agriculture. Extension agents generally did not accept as
realistic a primary social goal of sustainable agriculture advocates:
maintaining the number of family farms. If county extension agents and
sustainable agriculture groups in Minnesota are to work together for more
sustainable agriculture, open discussion is needed on the goals of agriculture
and visions for the future.
Heidi Carter, Education Coordinator
Heidi C. Carter
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
(Phone) 402/472-0917
csas007@unlvm.unl.edu