- Fall 1994 "Update" Newsletter Article -

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SUSTAINABLE AG SURVEY CONDUCTED

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From CATI Publication #941001
Copyright © 1995. All rights reserved.

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A survey of 57 agricultural producers in the central San Joaquin Valley reveals that many are changing their farming operations in response to changes in California’s environmental and political atmospheres.

However, the changes are coming relatively slowly and incrementally, as growers pursue their first priority of “making a living,” then making farming changes as they can, notes CSU, Fresno agricultural economics Professor James Cothern.

Cothern conducted the survey as part of a CATI project to further explore the concept of sustainable agriculture - the use of renewable in place of nonrenewable resources - as it relates to farming practices in the central San Joaquin Valley.

The study was designed to determine whether growers are adopting more sustainable practices in four areas: 1) tillage and rotational techniques and customs; 2) chemical use for weed and pest control; 3) water use conservation practices; and 4) fertilizer use habits.

Survey respondents indicated they are continuing a steady reduction in the use of chemicals for pest control. More are adopting biological controls such as the use of cover crops to attract predator insects. More than one-third of the respondents use fewer chemicals for weed control now than they did five years ago.

In the area of irrigation practices, the most notable change among respondents was the shift from furrow or flood to drip irrigation systems, with grape growers leading in the number of changeovers.

Cothern acknowledges that because of the small number of survey participants, it is difficult to claim statistical reliability for the results. However, the results do provide insights into problems of defining sustainable agriculture in various farming and economic situations.

Copies of the survey are available from CATI at no charge. For ordering information see the “Publications Available” form on Page 7.



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