I'm a Ph.D. student in Sociology (Environment and Gender) at
Washington State University. Currently I'm working with Lorna on
a Sustainable Agriculture Research Experiment (SARE) video project
in the Skagit Valley in Washington State. A research project on
cover crops as a cropping strategy is being done there, both at
the research station and on-farm. The purpose of the video is to
educate farmers and the public about the viability of cover
cropping as a means of improving soil quality, reducing need for
agrichemicals and for improvement of wildlife habitat. My role in
the project is to do a background lit search and to compile
information on social science research that has been done on
perceptions/attitudes/behaviors concerning the adoption of
sustainable ag practices (focus on cover crops) of both farmers
and the public. From this collection of info, I'll design the
interview questions for the video. We'll be talking to a diverse
group of people from farmers involved in the research project to
those who do not support "sustainability" to tourists, water
quality experts, members of environmental and conservation
organizations, etc. (in the Skagit Valley).
I'm wondering if you have any information on research that has
been done in this general area. I'd appreciate hearing from you.
(I thought you might be familiar with this type of research on
sustainable agriculture, as opposed to research focusing solely in
the biological and technical apsects of sustainable ag. As you
know, there is a growing body of research on sustainable practices
but a social problem exists if people are not able to or not
willing to implement them. How do we maximize the implementation
of sustainable ag. practices? How can the public be involved
without ostracizing farmers? What are the processes that perturb
implementation of sustainable practices. Well, there are a few
questions to clarify what I'm getting at. And the questions that
are asked of interviewees should address such questions, I hope.)
If you have any questions regarding my request for information,
please let me know.
Thanks very much for your help.
Cheers, Vicki Getz
208-882-5361 P.O. Box 2943
Pullman, WA 99165 vgetz@igc.apc.org
08-882-5361