Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: One thing that is known about change is that it is often first rejected, then accepted and ultimately changed. This is the general finding of this study. The study began in 1994 aimed at understanding stakeholders' (farmers and extension agents) attitudes and perceptions toward organic farming/sustainable agriculture, which was just being introduced into Ohio and the U.S. as a whole, from mainly Europe. We found that initially stakeholders showed strong resentment towards sustainable/organic agriculture. After six years, however, the trend is changing positively. Conventional farmers and extension agents alike now show increasing support for organic farming, including an increasing acceptance of sustainability and stewardship as the guiding posts of organic and sustainable agriculture. A significant output of this study is that it has provided a baseline or benchmark against which future studies on sustainable/organic farming can be measured. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences for this study are many. First, is the academic community, made up of faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, interested in new knowledge on organic farming research and extension. Second, are policymakers, interested in promoting sustainability of agriculture and food safety; and third, is the farming community, made up of organic and non-organic farmers, interested in how research can enhance their farming activities. These audiences cover those in Ohio, the United States and the world at large. In short, the audience can be anyone interested: a) in gaining knowledge about organic agriculture; b) applying this knowledge to increase organic crop and livestock production; or c) in environmental stewardship and the role organic farming plays in the achievement of socially responsible change. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This study has impacted the organic farming in Ohio and throughout the United States and throughout the world positively as publications from the study are being cited by scholars and students interested in this area. The study has also given voice to organic and sustainable agriculture farmers, namely, members of the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) and the Innovative Farmers of Ohio (IFO), who participated in the studies. It also revealed the philosophical principles underlying farmers practicing organic and sustainable agriculture.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This year the PI submitted a grant proposal, 2010 OREI proposal, 2009-01432 for a USDA/CREES grant to conduct research on Ohio's organic farmers' need for extension. He also wrote research papers based on field data that were gathered during his Fulbright Scholar Program in Malawi. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The grant proposal was not funded. However, the PI is collaborating with some certified organic farmers, including Amish and Mennonite farmers; the president of OEFFA (Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association) and organic and sustainable extension agents in OSU Extension to revise and resubmit the proposal.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The research findings were published in the Journal of Agricultural and Extension Education (AIAEE) as noted below. AIAEE has a professional membership of 400, many of whom subscribe to the journal and probably use its information in their classes. Therefore, the article may have been read by at least 300 extension educators throughout the world. Organic farmers and extension workers worldwide, may also have gleaned the information for their own purposes. Funding for my faculty appointment made the research, and hence, publication possible. Paper was prepared as a poster at the First Stinner Submit in 2007. No formal presentations were made but the PI shared work informally with participants. There were about 50 participants including organic growers, researchers and processors. Study was was included in the OSU Extension Annual Report, which is a university-wide distribution, including to regional extension directors. Paper had international distribution, such as to the Food Security Department of South Africa. Copies were also sent to Nigeria, Botswana, Lesotho and Malawi. The PI spent 2008 as a Fulbright Scholar in Malawi where he shared his research with faculty and students at Bunda College of Agriculture and the executive members of the National Association of Smallholder Farmers (NASFAM), perhaps the largest farmers association in the country. He also presented a seminar on "Mainstreaming Communication in Malawi's Growth and Development Strategy" organized by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Malawi. The seminar was attended by senior government officials, such as, principal Secretaries and directors of government ministries and representatives of international development assistance agencies, such as the World Bank, United Nations Development Program and the Food ad Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Audience for this study includes organic farmers, scholars and students worldwide. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Promoted awareness of organic agricultural research at The Ohio State University worldwide. For example, a request for the paper came from Costa Rica, implying that the study is being read worldwide. A letter of commendation has also been received by the PI for research in this area from the Chair, Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Agricultural, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
Publications
- Agunga, R. & Igodan, C. (2008). A study of organic farming in Ohio with lessons for developing countries. Vol. 15 (2), Summer. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
A survey of of sustainable agriculture farmers in two Ohio sustainable agriculture organizations, the Innovative Farmers of Ohio (IFO) and the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Assocation (OEFFA), was conducted in January/February 2005/6. A total of 99 responses was obtained yielding a response rate of 43%. Data from the study has been analyzed and three manuscripts and are at various stages of getting published in refereed journal articles as below: Agunga, R. A., and Igodan, C. O. (2006). The Role of Communication and Extension in Sustainable Agriculture, Journal of Extension, (Revise and resubmit). Peer Reviewed. Agunga, R. A., and Igodan, C. O. (2006). Communication and Information Behaviors of Sustainable Agriculture Farmers, Journal of Applied Communications (under review). Peer Reviewed. Agunga, R. A., and Igodan, C. O. 2006. Characteristics, Needs, and Believes of Sustainable Agriculture Farmers in Ohio, Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (Revise and resubmit).
Peer Reviewed. A summary research paper and confernece presentation will come out of this study.
Impacts
Demand for organic food is increasing and Extension can play a major role in increased organic food production. Study shows that organic farmers have a strong believe that Extension educators know a lot about sustainable agriculture to help them. Strengthening adoption of sustainable agriculture innovations through farmer-to-farmer programs. Study found a strong and positive relation between adoption of innovations and farmer participation in organic/sustainable agriculture organizations.
Publications
- Annor-Frempong, F., Agunga, R. A., Kwarteng, J., & Zinah, M. (2006). Challenges and Prospects of Infusing Information and Communication Technologies in Extension for Agricultural and Rural Development in Ghana,.Journal of Extension Systems, December 2006, Vol. 22. Peer Reviewed.
- Agunga, R. A., and Anyaegbunam, C. (2006). Towards a Discipline and Profession of Communication for Development, paper published in Proceedings of the World Congress on Communication for Development (WCCD, organized by The World Bank, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the Communication Initiative: http://www.devcomm-congress.org/worldbank/risultatiPaper.asp. Peer Reviewed.
- Annor-Frempong, F., Kwarteng, J., Agunga, R. A., and Zinah, M. (2006). Challenges and Prospects of Infusing Information and Communication Technologies in Extension for Agricultural and Rural Development in Ghana, paper published in the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education (AIAEE) Conference Proceedings, Clearwater, Florida, pp. 36-46. Peer Reviewed.
- Agunga, R. A., and Anyaegbunam, C. 2006. Towards a Discipline and Profession of Communication for Development, paper presented at the World Congress on Communication for Development (WCCD) organized by The World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and The Communication Initiative, Rome, Italy, October 25 - 27, 2006. Peer Reviewed.
- Caldwell, C., and Agunga, R. A. 2006. Identification of Strategic Communication Competencies for County Extension Educators: A Delphi Study, published in Proceedings of the 2006 ACE Annual Research Session, Alternative Research Papers, pp. 153 - 162. Peer Reviewed.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
A study entitled "Information needs of Ohio Organic Farmers" using a mail questionnaire is underway. The main purpose of the study is to understand the philosophical, environmental, economic and other factors underlying the practice of organic farming. It is also aimed at identifying the information and Extension needs of these farmers. A questionnaire was developed from the scratch by the researchers and approval for the study obtained from the Institutional Review Board. The instrument was pilot-tested and the study is now underway. One hundred and eighty-five questionnaires were mailed in December 2005 to members of the Innovative Farmers of Ohio. Another 200 questionnaires will be mailed in January 2006 to 200 certified organic growers who are members of the Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association. Data analysis and reporting will be done in February/March 2006.
Impacts
Organic farmers develop a better appreciation of the roles of OSU Extension, OARDC and the CFAES in supporting the organic farming industry. Make Ohio a national leader in organic food production and marketing. Increase scholarly knowledge in and appreciation of organic farming.
Publications
- Agunga, R. A. (2006). "Development support communication and popular participation in development projects." In Communication For Social Change Anthology: Historical and Contemporary Readings. Gumucio-Dagron, A. & Tufte, T. (Eds.). South Orange, NJ: Communication For Social Change Consortium Press.
- Agunga, R. A. & Fishman, A. K. (2005). "Technology transfer and food security in Africa: A study in Northern Ghana shows high cost of farm inputs and interest on loans limit small farmer adoption of productivity-increasing innovations." Journal of Extension Systems.
- Agunga, R. A., Aiyeru, T., Annor-Frempong, F. (2005). "Communication for local participation in project planning: A study of rural development workers in Ghana and Nigeria." Journal of Development Communication
- Agunga, R. A., Connors, J. R., Hsing-Ying Chen (2005). "A Study of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Ecological Paradigm Model." NACTA Journal, The professional journal serving college teachers of agricultural, environmental, natural, and life sciences. Vol. 49, No. 3, September.
- Agunga, R. A. & Sundararajan, R. (2005). "Factors fueling the HIV/AIDS pandemic in agricultural communities in Africa: A study of subsistence farmers in the Upper East Region of Ghana with implications for extension communication." Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education.
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