Specific problems in agriculture most in need of research solutions as perceived by west virginia vocational agriculture teachers and county extension agents
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Date
1982
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
West Virginia University
Abstract
Objective
The primary objective of the study was to identify specific prob-
lems in agriculture which are most in need of research solutions as
perceived by West Virginia vocational agriculture teachers and county
extension agents.
Methods and Procedures
Data for the study were obtained from the study population conĀ
sisting of 106 vocational agriculture teachers and 48 county extension
agents.The Delphi technique consisting of two types of questionnaires
was used.The first phase questionnaires asked participants to list
five specific agricultural problems in their communities which, in
their opinion, were most in need of research solutions.
Responses
were then used by the Q-sort committee to formulate 136 rateable state-
ments which formed the second phase questionnaire.
were sent to the same study population.
The questionnaires
The response was 75 percent.
Data were analyzed using West Virginia University computer facilities.
Means and standard deviation were determined for each statement by
category, position and region.
Findings
Information derived from the study reveals that there are many
agricultural problems in West Virginia which seriously need research
attention.
Problems identified by the respondent groups cut across all
the major areas of the agricultural industry: field crop production;
livestock production; horticulture; farm management; plant pests/ diseases; pasture management; agricultural marketing and processing;
farm machinery and structures; soil/water conservation; agricultural
energy; and rural development and extension/education.
Of the 136 problems identified by participants, 19 were rated
as "very important".
Considered particularly serious were: multiflora
rose eradication; coping with high production costs and interest rates;
and improving state level funding for extension and vocational agriĀ
culture programs.
The study also showed that vocational agriculture teachers and
county extension agents had similar perceptions of many of the problems
identi fied.
However, problems connected with vocational agriculture
programs were rated higher by vocational agriculture teachers than by
county extension agents.
The degree of importance of the problems varied from region to
region.
These regional variations may be due to the fact that different
parts of the state have different geophysical and climatic conditions.
However, problems associated with livestock (and particularly beef/
dairy) and pasture production were similar in all the six regions of
the state.
It was recommended that research institutions in West Virginia
study the problems identified and take them into consideration when
evaluating/developing research programs.
also be taken into account.
Regional variations should
Description
Master's Theses
Keywords
Agricultural production, Research solutions, West virginia vocational agriculture teachers, County extension agents