Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1996, Agricultural Education

The purpose of this study was to determine if Extension is a major source of information on sustainable agriculture to a group of farmers known as the “Innovative Farmers of Ohio” (IFO). Sustainable agriculture (SA) is an innovative and environmentally sound set of farming practices aiming at a self-sustaining long-term productivity, supported by the farming-family. The specific research objectives were: (1) the demographic characteristics of IFO farmers; (2) To determine IFO farmers' philosophical beliefs about agricultural issues; (3) To determine SA practices in use by IFO farmers; (4) To describe the nature of communication among IFO farmers; (5) To determine IFO farmers' sources of information on environmentally sound agricultural practices; (6) To describe Extension's ability to meet IFO farmers' needs; (7) To examine implications of this study for researchers in agricultural communication and related fields. This study was a survey using a mailed questionnaire…

Committee: Robert Agunga (Advisor) Subjects: