Farmers' Trust in Sources of Production and Climate Information and Their Use of Technology

Borrelli, Kristy; Roesch‐McNally, Gabrielle; Wulfhorst, J. D.; Eigenbrode, Sanford D.; Yorgey, Georgine; Kruger, Chad E.; Houston, Laurie; Bernacchi, Leigh A.; Mahler, R. L.

doi:10.34068/joe.56.03.21

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Practitioners, therefore, might be unfamiliar with new and accepted restoration research and trait jargon (e.g., “functional redundancy”). Although practitioners can communicate with researchers through, for example, Cooperative Extension or professional organizations, such as the SER, they tend to rely on very small, immediate networks for environmental and decision‐making information (Borelli et al 2018).…”

Section: Differing Goals Approaches and Incentivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Practitioners, therefore, might be unfamiliar with new and accepted restoration research and trait jargon (e.g., "functional redundancy"). Although practitioners can communicate with researchers through, for example, Cooperative Extension or professional organizations, such as the SER, they tend to rely on very small, immediate networks for environmental and decision-making information (Borelli et al 2018). Merchant et al (2022) suggest solutions to use traits to complement existing restoration practices better as being pivotal steps toward deeper integration of traits in natural resource management.…”

Section: Differing Goals Approaches and Incentivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Western Australia, diverse restoration groups are considering a wide range of both seed and plant traits in restoration efforts, including the use of prescribed fire with topsoil transfer practices to overcome seed physiological dormancy and sourcing seed based on species' genetic resilience to stress (Ritchie et al 2021). Similarly, in the restoration of shrub encroached Caldenal Woodlands in Argentina, palatable C3 shortgrasses are planted in areas with rolling treatments that have increased exposure, while unpalatable shade tolerant C3 and C4 midgrasses are planted in areas where tree and shrub canopies have been maintained (Adema & Babinec 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Functional traits are used in restoration practice: a response to Merchant et al. (2022)

Gornish

Campbell²,

Svejcar

et al. 2023

Restoration Ecology

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A recent Restoration Ecology article by Merchant et al. (2022) suggested that practitioners do not regularly use functional traits in restoration planning. We disagree and provide our collective experience that practitioners do leverage trait‐based approaches and information, but in ways that are different from researchers. Here, we provide an expanded perspective that incorporates practitioner voices to provide a more complete assessment of how traits are used in restoration practice. We highlight that a major challenge in the field of restoration ecology that leads to a disconnect between researchers and practitioners is a different set of knowledge systems, goals, incentives, and limitations. We provide approaches that researchers can use to connect with practitioners and leverage their knowledge.

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Section: Differing Goals Approaches and Incentivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Differing Goals Approaches and Incentivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Functional traits are used in restoration practice: a response to Merchant et al. (2022)

Gornish

Campbell²,

Svejcar

et al. 2023

Restoration Ecology

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A sustainable approach to improving agrifood production: getting the balance right between organic soil amendments and chemical fertilizers

Vatsa,

Zheng,

2024

CAER

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PurposeWe analyzed the effects of different combinations of organic soil amendments (OSAs) and chemical fertilizers on agrifood production, focusing on banana yields in China, the second-largest producer of bananas globally.Design/methodology/approachWe computed these combinations by dividing the expenditures on OSAs by those on chemical fertilizers and called them OSA-CF ratios. First, we classified farmers based on quintiles of expenditures on chemical fertilizers. Then, we studied the association between OSA-CF ratios and banana yields for each quintile. We also considered an alternate specification in which farmers were grouped along the OSA-CF ratio continuum. The first group comprised farmers not using OSAs. Their OSA-CF ratio was zero. Farmers applying low, medium, and high OSA-CF ratios constituted groups two, three, and four; the groups were delineated based on the OSA-CF ratio tertiles, and the associations between tertiles of OSA-CF ratios and banana yields for each quintile were analyzed. The data used in this study were collected by surveying 616 households in three major banana-producing provinces (Guangdong, Hainan, and Yunnan) of China. Standard linear regressions and the two-stage predictor substitution method were employed to complete the analysis.FindingsThere were variations in the effects of OSA-CF ratios on banana yields obtained by farmers iifferent quintiles. For the first and second quintiles, low, medium, and high OSA-CF ratios improved banana yields relative to not using OSAs. For farmers in the first quintile using only chemical fertilizers, applying a low OSA-CF ratio was associated with an improvement of 792 kg/mu in banana yields. For their counterparts in the second quintile, the same transition was associated with a gain of 534 kg/mu. For the fifth quintile, comprising farmers spending 320 yuan/mu or more on chemical fertilizers, applying a high OSA-CF ratio instead of using only chemical fertilizers was associated with a 401 kg/mu decline in banana yields. Even so, for this group, no differences were observed between the yields of farmers not applying OSAs and those using low and medium OSA-CF ratios.Practical implicationsBanana farmers in southern China, using only chemical fertilizers, can improve yields by combining them with OSAs if their chemical fertilizer expenditures are less than 66.67 yuan/mu. Those using only chemical fertilizers and spending between 68 yuan/mu and 300 yuan/mu on them can maintain yields by applying OSAs in conjunction with chemical fertilizers. However, yields may decline for farmers using only chemical fertilizers and spending 320 yuan/mu or more on them if they incorporate OSAs such that the OSA-CF ratio reaches 0.78 or higher. Overall, combining OSAs with chemical fertilizers can improve yields while attenuating the adverse effects of chemical fertilizers on the environment. Policymakers should inform farmers of these benefits and accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture through educational and awareness programs.Originality/valueFarmers apply OSAs such as organic fertilizers and farmyard manure to adjust and remedy soil nutrition to improve farm productivity. However, little is known about how combining OSAs with chemical fertilizers affects banana yields. This study provided the first attempt to explore the associations between OSA-CF ratios and banana yields using cross-sectional data on farming households.

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Extension Professionals' Information Use, Protective Behaviors, and Work-Life Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Israel¹,

Diehl²,

Galindo³

et al. 2020

JOE

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In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, we asked Extension professionals about sources used to inform their work, means used to inform clientele, and management of their own health and well-being. Survey data revealed that Extension professionals sought information from trusted sources and that large majorities were involved in disseminating online information to clientele. Extension professionals felt well supported, were prepared to address the pandemic's challenges, and were practicing recommended health behaviors. However, respondents reported high levels of stress and difficulty balancing professional and personal needs. Recommendations focus on collaborative opportunities for Extension as well as professional development and other resources for Extension personnel.

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Farmers' Trust in Sources of Production and Climate Information and Their Use of Technology

Cited by 3 publications

References 9 publications

Functional traits are used in restoration practice: a response to Merchant et al. (2022)

Functional traits are used in restoration practice: a response to Merchant et al. (2022)

A sustainable approach to improving agrifood production: getting the balance right between organic soil amendments and chemical fertilizers

Extension Professionals' Information Use, Protective Behaviors, and Work-Life Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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