Browsing by Subject "Producers"
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Item An analysis of the level of trust texas cotton producers place in the texas newspaper media: a qualitative determination of the behavioral characteristics of trust(2007-08) Foster, Jerod W.; Akers, Cynthia W.; Burris, Scott; Fraze, StevenNewspapers have long played a role in providing information to a wide-range of audiences. Newspapers offer a well-known mode of communication for a variety of issues. However, newspapers are sometimes looked upon as biased, liberal members of the mass communication industry. This issue has been a focus for researchers in the realm of agricultural communications, as well as members of the general public. Many efforts have been made in recent years to study the quality and quantity of the Texas newspaper media’s coverage of cotton and cotton-related issues. Before the creation of CottonLink, desired characteristics of a media resource guide were asked of Texas newspaper reporters. However, the cotton producer has had little opportunity to voice his/her opinion on the issue. This study sought to identify producers’ perspectives on trust for the Texas newspaper media, as well as determine those characteristics in which Texas cotton producers look for in other entities in order for them to enact that behavior in them. The research conducted was prefaced by the theoretical framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior, and an adaptation of the grounded theory method of data analysis was utilized for determining the findings of the study. Data collected include interview transcripts, a usability questionnaire, and a researcher perspective journal. Key findings of this research study include the identification of the characteristics that determine trust among Texas cotton producers. Producers also identified their level of trust for the Texas newspaper media, while also stating the low utilization of the newspaper information regarding cotton and related issues. Finally, producers recognized their perspectives of other institutional specific information entities such as magazines, extension service publications, and other cotton-related publications. The findings for this study also resulted in implications that affect the Texas newspaper media and their relationship with the Texas cotton industry. Recommendations focus on both the Texas newspaper media and the Texas cotton producers, as well as future research in agricultural communications.Item Perceptions of agricultural producers as participants of domestic farm policy programs: implications for education(Texas A&M University, 2004-11-15) Parker, Rebecca HallThe purpose of this record of study was to examine the perceptions held by a targeted "grassroots" society composed of agricultural producers regarding farm policy goals, policy commodity components, and operational factors as potential barriers to successful policy. The study also examined the relationship of the government defined and "grassroots" perceived intended outcomes of current components to seek areas of needed education or research. A researcher developed questionnaire was used to collect the data from members/producers of USDA, FSA county committees in Texas. The questionnaire consisted of 37 questions divided into three sections: demographic and farm data; policy perception data; and operational issues. Ultimately, there were a total of 761 surveys returned from 175 FSA county committees of 206 (85%) representing farms and ranches from 232 of 254 counties (91% of counties) in Texas. Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA were used to examine the data. Major findings, identified through descriptive analysis, were that the producer respondents in the study were predominately male, between the ages of 36 - 65 years of age and Caucasian. As a group, the producer respondents will be farming and ranching to provide food and fiber for a population much more diverse than itself. The perception data collected yielded that, while some general and important conclusions can be drawn from the data, the different size/types of producers had different opinions, knowledge levels, and therefore, educational needs. Overall, policy goals involving global orientation and the supply and stabilization of farm income for producers were high targets for educational needs by the respondents. Respondents also considered those policy tools providing producer control or proprietary decision making as high areas of need for education. Several operational issues noted educational needs such as individual handling of landowner/tenant issues, administrative costs/changes, and changes in commodity programs.Item Texas agricultural producers' perceptions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)(2011-05) Spraberry, Jennifer L.; Brashears, Michael T.; Ulmer, Jonathan; Irlbeck, EricaThe North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a trade agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico that encompasses the agricultural industry in Texas. However, research concerning Texas farmers and ranchers opinions and knowledge of the trade agreement was not readily available. Therefore, it was vital to explore these characteristics. In order to determine Texas farmers and ranchers perceived impacts of NAFTA on their agricultural operation, a descriptive study was performed. An instrument was developed and the data collection process occurred during the months of July through September 2010 via mail survey; 184 instruments were returned. Findings of the study included Texas farmers and ranchers perceived impacts of NAFTA on their agricultural operation. The general consensus was Texas farmers and ranchers were not particularly in favor of the trade agreement but felt it had benefited their agricultural operation in some regard. Texas farmers and ranchers seemed to know little about the trade agreement, specifically direct legislative variables. Having obtained this knowledge, the researchers composed recommendations for future research. Some of these recommendations include developing educational materials for Texas farmers and ranchers about public policy issues. Agricultural leaders should work with public policy officials, agricultural leaders, and officials to disseminate information about NAFTA. Collaboration efforts should be made between state officials and media sources to educate Texas producers about trade agreements. This information should be delivered to Texas farmers and ranchers through their preferred media sources: farm magazines, radio, and television. Contact should be made with special interest groups in order to disburse information about NAFTA; workshops at special interest trade shows should be implemented as well.