The Role Of Environmental And Demographic Factors In Dairy Farm Expansion At The Rural Urban Fringe

Author : Joann Orlena Ewing
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 366 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (838 download)

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Download or read book Factors Related to the Establishment of Large-scale Dairies in Two Ohio Countries written by Joann Orlena Ewing and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 366 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: Technology and scientific advances in American agriculture have transformed the industry beyond diversified farms that once provided the food and fiber needs of a single family. Ohio agriculture plays an important role in the economy of the state and lifestyle of rural residents. The expansion of farm size throughout the state has accompanied the development of Ohio's agricultural industry in recent years. The Ohio dairy industry has not been immune to the changes that have occurred in agriculture. The development of large-scale dairy farms in Ohio has been met with varying degrees of acceptability. Some communities have actively opposed the establishment of such operations, while other communities have expressed more support for large-scale dairy operations. The primary problem addressed in this study involved the identification of factors that contributed to the support or opposition of large-scale dairy farms established in two rural Ohio communities. This research involved an embedded case study with two units of analysis. Qualitative and quantitative measures were utilized in the study. Stakeholder perceptions of large-scale dairies and other livestock farms on the four dimensions of the Ecological Paradigm were obtained through a researcher-developed mailed questionnaire. Contextual information for each county was gathered and analyzed. County demographic data was analyzed from the US Census Bureau. Agricultural production data from the US Agricultural Census was analyzed for the two counties (i.e. cases) identified for the study. Permitting information for each case was also analyzed. It was concluded from the results of this study that the two counties were similar in terms of most demographics. Both counties were determined to be agriculturally-based counties with higher proportion of employment in agriculture and more agricultural production, and agricultural sales than the average county in the State of Ohio. Differences in the agricultural 'culture' of the two counties may have influenced support for or opposition to the large-scale dairy farm in each respective county. Agriculture in County X focused more heavily on swine and dairy production, whereas County Y focused more on crop and beef production. Stakeholder perceptions were consistent between counties and stakeholder groups. Overall, stakeholders agreed that large-scale dairies were economically viable and efficient in production, however they disagreed that large-scale dairies were environmentally compatible and socially responsible. Stakeholders agreed that other local livestock farms were environmentally compatible, efficient in production and socially responsible but disagreed that other livestock farms were economically viable. Communities should recognize and acknowledge the economic viability and production efficiency of large-scale dairies with assurances that environmental and social concerns are managed. Large-scale dairy owners may be able to enhance acceptance (or at least reduce opposition) to the establishment of large-scale dairy farms by incorporating the following steps: (a) assess the agricultural context of the community, (b) use technology, systems, and management practices to ensure safety of the environment, (c) communicate the technology, systems. and management utilized to stakeholders, and (d) meet the expectations of involvement and integration into the social fabric of the community. Stakeholders can benefit from relationships with large- scale dairies as well as providing advice and local information during the establishment process. Just as large-scale dairy owners must address the environmental and social impacts of agriculture, stakeholders should recognize the production efficiency and economic impact of large-scale dairy on the local community. Environmental and social concerns should be recognized by Extension Educators, who provide a communication link between the agricultural sector (large-scale dairy owners) and the non-agriculture public.