RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN INFORMATION-SOURCES AND FARMERS CONSERVATION PERCEPTIONS AND BEHAVIOR

Traditionally the primary sources of information used by farmers in the decision to adopt new practices were, in descending order of importance, (1) other farmers, (2) local agricultural product dealers, and (3) local government agencies. Mass media sources were relatively unimportant. Six hundred southwestern Iowa farmers were interviewed to determine their sources of conservation information. The top three sources named were (1) farm magazines, (2) other farmers, and (3) the Soil Conservation Service. The two sources of information most consistently related to awareness of erosion problems and use of conservation practices were the Soil Conservation Service and magazines. The importance of magazines provides useful implications for soil conservation programs. © 1990 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.