Texas Agricultural Organization Board Members' Knowledge of and Information
Sources for the 2002 Farm Bill

Christa L. Catchings, Gary J. Wingenbach, and Tracy A. Rutherford

This study attempted to assess Texas agricultural board members’ knowledge levels of the 2002 Farm Bill and to explore perceived
values of information sources used to learn about the farm bill. Selected Texas agricultural organization board members (70)
were most knowledgeable about the crop insurance and direct payment programs, findings that parallel previous studies. Respondents
were least knowledgeable about the food stamp program. Respondents identified the Cooperative Extension Service and farm
publications as the most valuable information sources for learning about the 2002 Farm Bill. No significant relationships existed
between respondents’ knowledge of the 2002 Farm Bill and their information sources. If agricultural communicators want to reach
agricultural board members, they should communicate farm bill programs and issues using the Cooperative Extension Service, the
Internet (agricultural sites), and farm publications.

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Christa L. Catchings is a sales representative for the Lockhart Post-Register in Lockhart, Texas, and former graduate research fellow in the
Department of Agricultural Education at Texas A&M University. Gary Wingenbach, an ACE member, is an associate professor in the department,
and Tracy Rutherford, also an ACE member, is an assistant professor in the department.
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