Hello Angela,
on May 3, 1993 you asked the SANET about studies where farmers are
interviewed about their opinions on sustainable/organic agriculture, etc.
This theme has recently become quite popular in the Netherlands. A study
which fully covers your inquiry is described below. Nadet Somers is the main
author, and I know about this study because I was member of the advisory
board of this study.
If you think this reference (incl. the two names and tel. numbers) may be
of interest to the SANET-participants, can you please forward this message
to the entire group (probably after some editing by you....)? Nadet Somers is
very interested in response. You can contact here directly by tel. of fax,
but you can also send reactions to me by e-mail; I will take care of further
transfers.
"Knowledge Development for Sustainable Agriculture in the Netherlands, an
investigation of 4 experimental projects in arable farming (in Dutch)",
The Hague, NRLO/Wageningen and Agricultural University, department of Extensi-
on Science, June 1993.
In the study, 30 arable farmers and extension workers in 4 projects, aiming
at introducing sustainable agricultural practices, have been interviewed.
Main issues were: organizational aspects of the projects, the actual and
desirable role of extension and research institutes in promoting sustai-
nable agriculture, perceived goals and values, aspects of craftsmanship and
entrepreneurship, ways of experimenting and learning about sustainable
agriculture, individual pathways, social dilemma aspects, the influence of
the economic and political environment.
More information can be obtained from:
- Niels Roling, telephone +31 (0)8370 84310, telefax +31 (0)8370 84791
- Nadet Somers, telephone +31 (0)1815 4634 , telefax +31 (0)1815 4071
NB. (Both work at the Agricultural University Wageningen, Dept. of Extension
Science. Mister Roling's name is actually spelled with an umlaut on the 'o'!)
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