| | A ground-breaking study will change the way information is delivered to rural Albertans. "We're examining issues peculiar to rural challenges that take into account natural resources and the environment, food systems and social behaviors," explains environmental sociologist Ross Mitchell of the Alberta Research Council. "New and relevant agricultural policy and programs that lead to better agricultural sustainability of rural regions and their people can then be shaped and developed based on this research."
The study commenced in the spring of 2006 and involves an extensive literature review, household surveys and focus groups. Enhancing sustainable practices is a key driver behind management decisions in natural resource sectors such as forestry. Those same drivers apply to Agriculture.
In places such as Australia, conservation and food safety best practices have been in place for years. In Canada, Alberta is leading the way to bring wholesale change to the way agriculture management information and tools are delivered.
"Barriers and motivators aren't limited to economic or social factors," says Mitchell. "They might be technical or have to do with farm structure such as debt levels, or tenure." Never before done in Canada, this research will help in the development, improvement and delivery of information. As the technology or the environmental issue in question becomes more complex, farmers empowered by objective and practical information will become more competitive and productive in today's markets.
Researchers collected approximately 65 farm household surveys spanning five municipalities: Forty Mile, Fairview, Ponoka, Special Areas No. 2 and Acadia. Focus groups with producers were held in St. Paul and Fairview. An extensive literature review and interviews with extension specialists also form components of the study.
The project wrapped-up at the end of July, and a summary will be available to extension specialists across the province in the fall of 2006.
The study team for this project includes members from the Alberta Research Council; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration; Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development; and, the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan Company.
For more information, contact ARC project coordinator Jennifer Karpyshyn at (780) 450-5355 or e-mail: Jennifer.Karpyshyn@arc.ab.ca. Information is also available on the website at www.arc.ab.ca, search rural sociological barriers.
Contact:
Karen Goad - Farm Direct Marketing Initiative
Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
(780) 538-5629
E-mail: karen.goad@gov.ab.ca |
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