Trends in Michigan Farmers' Information-Seeking Behaviors and Perspectives
on the Delivery of Information
Murari Suvedi
Shelly Campo
Maria Knight Lapinski
A sample of Michigan farmers was surveyed in 1996 and 1999 to examine trends in
their information-seeking behaviors and preferred methods of information delivery.
In addition, the relationship between demographic characteristics and types of
information sources used were examined. Some key findings for both years include:
(a) The vast majority of farmers do not use web-based information; (b) income
and farm size was positively correlated with all types of information delivery
(print, web-based, radio/TV, organizational events and personal sources); and
(c) part-time farmers and those with outside employment tended to use fewer information
sources than full-time farmers. Suggestions are offered to help educators make
better choices in campaign and message delivery.
Full text (pdf)
Murari Suvedi is an associate professor in the Department of Agriculture and
Natural Resources Education and Communication Systems at Michigan State
University, and an ACE member. Maria Knight Lapinski is a doctoral candidate
in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University. Shelly
Campo is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Cornell
University. This study was funded by Michigan State University Extension.
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