Assessment of the educational needs of rice farmers, Brazoria County, Texas /

Bibliographic Details
Main Author:	Wood, John Robb
Other Authors:	Christiansen, James E. (degree committee member.), Herring, Don R. (degree committee member.), Seaman, Don F. (degree committee member.)
Format:	Thesis Book
Language:	English
Published:	1991.
Subjects:	Rice farmers > Education > Texas > Brazoria County. Agricultural extension work > Texas > Brazoria County. Major agricultural education. Academic theses
Online Access:	ProQuest, Abstract Link to OAKTrust copy

Description
Abstract:	A survey of Brazoria County rice farmers was conducted to: (i) determine their educational level; (ii) evaluate the size of farming operations and determine the management level associated with various size farms; (iii) evaluate the extent of dependence of farmers on the Texas Agricultural Extension Service for meeting their educational needs; (iv) evaluate the dependence of farmers on other sources for meeting their educational needs; (v) determine the farmers' perceived need for topics they believe should be addressed in educational meetings; (vi) determine what farmers perceive as the most important aspect of educational programs; and (vii) compare characteristics and educational needs of customers and non-customers of Texas Gulf Bank. A survey instrument was mailed to all 90 rice farmers on the mailing list of the Brazoria County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. Completed questionnaires were returned by 37% of those surveyed. One hundred percent were returned by customers of Texas Gulf Bank and 18% by non-customers. Data were analyzed by computing frequency distributions of responses. As a result of analysis of responses, the following conclusions were drawn: (i) Brazoria County rice farmers are well educated, with many possessing college degrees; (ii) customers of Texas Gulf Bank are more likely to attend educational meetings than non-customers; (iii) farmers on large acreages utilize greater management skills; (iv) Brazoria County farmers depend on the Texas Agricultural Extension Service for technical information, but value other sources as highly; (v) information on rice culture is most often requested as a topic of interest; (vi) farmers want information based on farm trials; and (vii) evening meetings before the growing season are the preferred educational setting.
Item Description:	Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Agricultural Education."
Physical Description:	x, 86 leaves ; 29 cm
Bibliography:	Includes bibliographical references.