Skip to main content

Publications.

 Bridging the Information Gap Between Beginning and Experienced Farmers

Abstract

The demographic of the average farmer is shifting from experienced, generational farmers to beginning farmers with little experience or family background in farming. This has led to a knowledge gap in critical information for beginning farmers that could be contributing to the high fail rate of new farms. This research surveyed both experienced and beginning farmers and asked them to identify areas of educational importance. The aim of this study was to identify areas where beginning farmers may have a knowledge gap in an effort to identify areas where future educational resources should be focused. The results showed that in general, beginning and experienced farmers agreed in the areas of critical importance for farm educational needs. One area where beginning farmers underestimated the importance of resources was in Financial Skills. Understanding and addressing the knowledge gaps for beginning farmers can help to ensure the success of the next generation of farmers.

Recommended Citation

Robinette, McKayla R.; Drinkard, Maureen K.; and Raicovich, Gina (2020) "Bridging the information gap between beginning and experienced farmers," RURALS: Review of Undergraduate Research in Agricultural and Life Sciences: Vol. 13 : Iss. 1 , Article 2. Available at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/rurals/vol13/iss1/2

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Here's to

"How are you feeling?" Restless. I feel like I should constantly be moving and shaking. Since my last post, a lot has happened. I was assigned a resident advisor position for next school year, accepted a summer internship at the United States Department of Agriculture, declared my major, got a boyfriend and broken up with him, and pierced my upper earlobes. All of these life-altering events, plus a few others I have probably forgotten, have left me with this idea that life as I understand it is transitioning. It's like seeing the wave build up in the distance, but having no way to prepare for it crashing into the shore.  Maybe a part of it is anxiety, or possibly me finally saying "enough" and trying to embrace opportunities while they are available, but I am feeling this constant need to experience life. My family for as long as I can remember every new year comes up with a different word to categorized their prayers for that year. This is the first time ...
Post a Comment
Read more

What It Means To Be Female

"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will."  —  Charlotte Brontë  ( Jane Eyre ) I consider myself a feminist. No, not a feminist that wears pussy hats and goes around screaming about all the ways that men have wronged me. But, a feminist that believes in the power and influence of women and actively seeks out ways to develop myself, and others, to be strong females. I've been thinking about what it means to be a woman trying to be successful, and what success means to me. In my thinking, I've determined that as long as I am happy and the work that I am doing positively impacts those I am serving, I will be successful. I've determined that speaking up for myself and always trying to find the joy in a situation is key and that reminding myself that yes, I am female but also yes, that does not stop me from working to fulfill my ambitions and dreams.  Being female means when I am walking to the store close to da...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Tobacco Road Traveler

In eastern North Carolina, where I grew up, many of our popular highways (such as 301 and I- 40) are known as “Tobacco Road.” Basketball fans will know this as the area where rival schools (Duke, UNC- Chapel Hill and NC State, and Wake Forest) can be found within a thirty-mile radius of each other. Merriam- Webster Dictionary refers to tobacco road as an “impoverished rural community.” However, to me, I know it as home. Tobacco Road was the route I took every day to school while my family was expanding our cattle operation by opening a slaughter and processing facility. I would use often times use Tobacco Road to explore new towns (and brunch menus) with my family and friends. Tobacco Road is also the path which I will drive to Brevard College, where I will be majoring in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Agriculture.   Through the Tobacco Road Traveler, I will be sharing my adventures starting an agricultural education program six hours away from home, working for RFD...
Post a Comment
Read more