A STUDY OF THE QUESTIONS ASKED OF COUNTY EXTENSION AGENTS IN FOUR MICHIGAN COUNTIES mu m: PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS by Charles Louie Lang A THESIS. Subudtted to the College of Agriculture of Michignn State University of Agriculture and Applied Science in purtinl fulfillment of the requirement- for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Department of Extension Personnel Developnmnt 1959 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author would like to express his appreciation to all those who aided him in the completion of this study. Special gratitude is extended to Dr. John T. Stone, Professor, Department of Extension Personnel Development, Michigan State University, under whose direction this study was done. His ready assistance and sound guidance were particularly appreciated. The author is grateful for the cooperation and assistance extended by the following persons: John H. Baker, County Extension Director, Gratiot County, Michigan Cooperative Extension Service Richard W. Bell, Assistant Director, Michigan Cooperative Extension Service Donald E. Gregg, Publication Editor, Michigan Cooperative Extension Service Dr. Edward O. Moe, Professor, Sociology and Anthropology, Michigan State University Dr. John M. Parsey, Associate Professor, Bureau of Educa- tional Research, Michigan State University Jack.A. Prescott, County Extension Director, Macomb County, Michigan Cooperative ExtensionxService Earl C. Richardson, Associate Professor, Extension Editor, Information Services, Michigan Cooperative Extension Service Larry E. Sarbaugh, Office of Information, U. S. Department of.Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Elwood Shaffer, Editor, National h—H News, former Publica- tion Editor, Michigan Cooperative Extension.8ervioe The cooperation and assistance of the Extension Project Leaders was greatly appreciated in setting up the question categories used in this study. A STUDY OF THE QUESTIONS ASKED OF COUNTY EXTENSION AGENTS IN FOUR MICHIGAN COUNTIES AND THE PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS by Charles Louis Lang AN'ABSTRACT Submitted to the College of Agriculture of Michigan State University of Agriculture and Applied Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Department of Extension Personnel Development 1959 /;/_..-. x J . . 1" ”mi”- Approved by \A‘ffn- ’ ._ j g .. I ./ AN'ABSTRACT One of the primary responsibilities of the Michigan Cooperative Extension Service is to disseminate needed information to the public. This study deals with only one of these sources, namely publications. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of current publications in answering questions asked of county agents by the people. For the purposes of this study, the effectiveness of a publication was measured by the degree to which it provided the infor- mation requested. To find out what information was requested the extension agents in four Michigan counties volunteered to record the questions asked of than during the first week in each month for the year 1958. These ques- tions were then classified and tabulated according to the type of in- formation requested, seasonality and by county. The number of times each question was asked was carefully noted as a measure of importance. Of particular significance was the fact that most people ask very specific questions requiring definite answer rather than general ques- tions requiring an involved discussion of the topic as is commonly included in many extension bulletins. Thus for the one purpose of an- swering the questions asked of extension agents by the people, the simple, inexpensive fact sheet or folder would appear more efficient than the more expensive types of publications. Many of the most frequently asked questions were very seasonal in nature. Thus, by keeping a record of questions asked by date would be most helpful in anticipating questions and preparing publications designed to provide the desired information. The kinds of questions asked is also important in planning the total extension educational program both on the county and state level as it gives an indication of the problems of the people. The number of questions asked of the extension office increased in direct ratio with the population. The kinds of questions, however, and the frequency with which they were asked varied by type of farming and the rural or urban character of the population. This indicates the desirability of county and area publications planning. Also, contrary to common belief, over one-half of the people who asked questions of the county extension office were women; and over one-half of their ques- tions involved problems in subject matter areas other than home economics such as home gardening and lawn care. It was shown that 79 percent of the available publications con- tained information about questions asked of the agents in this study. Of the different kinds of questions, 61 percent were satisfactorily answered in currently available publications. In general, publications of the Michigan Cooperative Extension Service contained answers to the questions more frequently asked by a number of people. Thus, it can be said that they are meeting, in large measure, the needs of people as expressed by their requests for information. However, this analysis of questions asked and the answers available in existing publications indicates additional needs for, particularly, leaflets and simple infor- mation sheets on additional topics. A careful study of the questions asked and the frequency of requests points up some of these needs. A continuing analyses of the kind undertaken in this research should prove extremely valuable as a basis for publications planning in the future within each county and state as well as nationally. Chapter I. II. III. IV. TABLE OF CONTENTS IntrOdQCtion and B&Ckgr0und e e e e e e s e e e e e e ROViO' Of ROIItOd ROIO‘rChe e e e e e e e e e e e e e 1. 2. 5. 1+. 5. 6. Where people get their information and the importance of publications as one of the sources The type of information people expected to get from.the Cooperative Extension Service . . Who used the publications? . . . . . . . . . . How often people used publications and how satisfied they were with the publications. . . What people thought of extension publications as a source of information . . . . . . . . . . Other related rOUOIrCh e e e e e e e e e e e e OOIICCtion 0f D‘t‘e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e 1. Procedure and Method of Classifying Questions. . . 2. Procedure and Method oftAnalyzing the Publications 5. Procedure and Method for Analyzing Those Who ACkOd the Questions. e e e e e e e e e e Analysis of the Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. Introduction to QuestiontAnalysis. I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. I. II. XII. Gr‘in Crops e e e e e e e ForlgOB e e e e e e e e e e e e e e veg‘thlefle e e e e e e e e e e e e Fru1tIe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e Nursery Stock and Home Grounds. . . L1VOItO°k e e e e e e e e e e e e e Insects, Diseases, Parasites, Weeds ‘nd Other Peat. e e e e e e e e e e Marketing, Farm Policy, Government .Agencies, and Farm and Home Service orgflniz‘tion' e e e e e e e e e e e Soil and Water Conservation and Management, Forestry and Wildlife . O O O O O O Parl.Managament e e e e e e e e e e e e Farm.Buildings and Mechanical Equipment House and Surroundings, Furnishings ‘nd Equipment e e e e e e e e e e e e e Page NOe 1O 21 25 27 28 28 55 7o 75 79 82 CHAPTER XIII. Home Management and Family Economics . . XIVe CIOthing e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e We FOOd. Ind Nutrition. e e e e e e e e e e XVI. Health, Family Life and Safety . . . . . XVII. Conmninity Development and Public Affairs XVIIIe "1.0011m00u. question's e e e e e e e e 2. Analysis of the Questions by the Nine Areas of Extension Responsibility . . . . . . 5. Analysis of the Publications Used . . . 4. Analysis of Who Asked the Questions . . V. Conclusions and Recommendations. . . . . . . Th. QUO'tion. AUkOde e e e e e e e e e e e ThePublications. e e e e e e e e e e e e Those Who Asked the Questions. . . . . . . Application of the Study to the State of Michigan BibliOET‘pbyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Page No. 105 105 107 112 112 114 115 115 117 Table NOe 1O 11 12 15 LIST OF TABLES Percentage of Farmers reporting use of various channels for farming information in the two years before they were interviewed; 1950 and 1955 . . . . Percentage of farmers who reported various channels as among those from which they got the most helpful infatuation} 1950 ‘nd 1955c e e e e e e e e Indication of who has used extension information. . Methods recalled by which extension information '3. received. e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e Cosmarison Between Rural and Urban Answers on What Information is the Most Useful to Farmers. . . Rural and Urban Opinions on the Most Useful Help Received From the Home Demonstration Agent. . . . . Percentage of Farmers Having Different Gross Sales Who Reported Use of Various Channels for Farming Information, 1950 and 1955. . . . . . . . . Percentage of Farm Operators Reporting Use of Various Channels For Farming Information in the Two Years Preceding The Interview, 1950 and 1955, Classified According to the Type of Neighborhood in whiCh They L1'.d e o e e e e e e e e e e e e e e Intensity of Use as Shown by Number of Publications Received in the Last 12 Months . . . . Average Number of Publications Received Last 12 Months by Source e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e Amount of Help Received From Publications by'TypO or User e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e Number of Questions by Major Areas and Counties . . Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (Grain Crops) e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e Page No. 11 12 111 15 16 17 19 22 25 2h 111 Table NOe 14 15 16 17 18. 19 21 Page NOe Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (For‘gO') e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e “h Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb County 1958 (Vegetables). e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e #7 Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (FMt8)e O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 51 Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac,. Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (Nursery Stock and Home Grounds). . . . . . . . . . . . . 511 Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (Livestock) e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e 57 Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (Insects, Diseases, Parasites, Weeds and Other Posts) . . 62 Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (Marketing, Farm Policy, Government Agencies and Farm and Home Service Organizations). . . . . . . . . . . 67 Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (Soil and Water Conservation and Management, Foreatry .nd W11d11f°)e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e 72 Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (Farm.Managpant) e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e 77 Table Page No. No. 25. Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (Farm Buildings and Mechanical Equipment) . . . . . . . . 80 211 Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (House and Surroundings, Furnishings and Equipment) 84 25 Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (Home Management and Family Economics). . . . . . . . . . 87 26 Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (ClOthing)e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e 89 27 Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (FOOd. ‘nd Nutrition) e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e 95 28 Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (Health, Family Life and Safety). 0 e e e e e e e e e e e 96 29 Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (Comnunity Development and Public Affairs). . . . . . . . 99 50 Classification and Number of Questions Asked Seasonally of County Extension Agents in Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb Counties 1958 (Miscellaneous) e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e 102 51 Tabulation of the Questions Asked in Four Michigan Counties by the Recommended Nine Areas of Extension's Responsibility from the Report "The Cooperative Extension SOT'icO Today". e e e-e e e e e e e e e e e e e 105 52 Publications Used to Answer Questions . . . . . . . . . . 106 5) Areas of Expected Information from the Report on the Nine Areas of Responsibility as Indicated by T'Ontbe'b Intar'10'008 e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e 111 CHAPTER I Introduction and Background The publications program.of the Michigan Cooperative Extension Service was the primary subject of concern in this study. The scope of the study included the questions asked of Michigan county extension agents and the information that was made available to help answer these same questions. The type of information herein refers only to that found in the publications made available through the Cooperative Exten- sion Service. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effective- ness with which publications were used to answer the questions asked of county extension agents. This study dealt with only two facets of the extension program. One area dealt with the questions asked of county extension agents; the other dealt with information in extension publications. Though both were important parts of the total extension program, they were not in any sense considered as the only important areas. The significance of the above purpose will be made more meaning- ful by examining the organisation and pregram.of the Cooperative Exten- sion Service. The Cooperative Extension Service is 'cooperative' in that the federal, state, and local governments provide funds and facilities for the extension program. In the fiscal year 1957-1958 the Michigan Co- operative Extension Service received AS percent of its allocations from. the State Legislature, 55.5 percent from.the Federal Government and 16.8 percent from County governments. 0f the remaining 1.7 percent, most of the funds came from the Kellogg Foundation.1 It is an 'extension' or, more accurately, a division of Michigan State University. The director of the Michigan Cooperative Extension Service is responsible to the Dean of the College of Agriculture. In turn the Dean is responsible to the President of the University, and he is responsible to the State Board of Agriculture, a constitutional board of six members. These members are elected at large for a six year termy two members elected every two years. The extension director and his staff are responsible also to the Federal Extension Service, a branch of the United States Department of ‘piculturCe In terms of its educational program it is a "service'I to the pub- lic. The basis for determining the program.was defined by the Smithp Lever Act of 1914. 'To aid in diffusing among the people of the United States, useful and practical information on subjects related to agriculture and home economics, and to encourage the application of the same. . . Coopera- tive Extension work will consist of giving instruc- tion and demonstrations in agriculture and home economics to persons not attending or residents in said colleges."2 It was noted the words 'people of the United States' and "persons'I were used to define the recipients of extension information. There was 1Michigan Cooperative Extension Service, Budget Report for Fiscal Tear 1957-1955: July 19 1957- 20.8. Congress, Amended Smith-Lever Act, Public Law 85, 85rd Congress, Chapter '57 - 1st session. S1 75. no mention of serving only these people engaged in agriculture though for many years these people have been the primary recipients of exten- sion educational information. The word 'related' defined the type of information to be used by the extension service. It has been a common conception that information disseminated dealt primarily with production techniques in agriculture and home economics. Because of its affect on total production and pro- fits fanmers of today have learned that they must have information in many related areas in addition to information on production techniques. Such information inrolves marketing, agricultural policy, zoning, land values, business trends, et cetera. The county extension office is the most important segment of the extension service for disseminating information to the public because there is more contact made with the people at the county level. Each county extension program.is carried out according to a plan of work. Briefly this is a plan of what should be done, when, how, and by whom. Most of the extension agents time is spent in carrying out this plan. Such a plan is formulated partly on the needs, wishes, desires and problems of the people in the county. The county agent is able to define such situations through personal contact and organised extension and related groups. Some extension groups have suggested educational programs they believed the people in the county should have. Another part of the extension program is determined on the state and national level. This is done by studying (1) changes made in agri- culture and home economics (2) other programs, policies and organisations that directly or indirectly affect agriculture or home economics,(5) careful prediction of the future changes in these areas, and results of (‘1) programs carried out or in progress in the counties. Then the county extension agents study the information from their contacts with the people, suggestions and recomndations of county ex- tension groups, and the program plans from the state and national levels. Through his analysis of this informtion a plan of work is constructed for the coming year. To execute the county plan of work, the county extension agent may utilize many resources. From the extension service he may use state specialists, printed information by specialists and research personnel, as well as his own background of training through study and experience. Be my cooperate with and utilise the resources of other agencies and organisations, especially those located in the county. Those might in- clude Federal Agricultural agencies, local marketing organizations, public service organizations, and businesses. 1 With the various resources of informtion at his disposal, the county extension agent mist be familiar with all channels of communica- tion and know how to use them to disseminate his inferntion. Such channels are group meetings, individual face-to-face contact, telephones, letters, publications, newspapers, radio, television, and almost an other channel of cc-anication available. In each channel he met learn to use the aide that vill help cmicate his message and help the re- ceiver to remember and learn how to use this infomtion. He met know his goals; who he wants to contact and what action he expects them to take. He met know the means to these goals, who and how may people have received information through each channel, what channel is the most effective for his message, when he should use it, and how he should pre- sent it. In em, the areas discussed included a brief analysis of the organization and program of the Cooperative Extension Service and how its program was determined and carried out. As pointed out the printed publication is one of the forms of information that the county extension agent may use. For the purposes of this study a publication is defined as information in printed form with or without illustrations, bound in a soft cover, and available for distribution to the public by the Cooperative Extension Service. It may be classified as a folder, extension bulletin, special bulletin, or a circular. Circular publications include five different series; farm buildings, tourist and resort, extension, park management, and miscellaneous. Some publications printed by the extension service are not intended for general public use. Most of these are technical bulletins. Because of their limited use, they are not included in the definition of publi- cations for this study. Some of the special bulletins are of a technical nature, while others could be used effectively as sources of information by the general public. Therefore all of the special bulletins are in- cluded in the definition of publications. The content of the publication depended largely on its subject utter area and the type of information that is believed to be necessary to discuss the subject. A bulletin contains more information than the snller leaflet and folder. For example, a bulletin may present a recommended spraying program for all vegetable crops while a folder may discuss one spraying program.for one or a few vegetable crops. The major uses made of publications are variable. One use is to supply the related technical and complex information about a subject that an agent may need but could not recall from memory. Such informa- tion may have involved exact measurements of equipment, procedure, or proper diagnosis. It may be used to educate the agent about a new or seldom.uscd idea or subject. It may be used as an educational aid by the agent to educate the public. Depending upon the situation involved it may be used as the only means of communicating the information or as a supplement to other in- formation the agent may be using. Some publications are distributed on individual request. Many county extension offices have a display area with copies of publications which allow anyone to make personal selections. Practically all publications are distributed free of charge. Only a very few publications have a charge made to the recipient because of high printing cost. During the fiscal year 1957—1958, a total of 858,702 was spent for the printing of 954,000 copies of 77 different publications.5 The average printing cost for a single publication was a small 8.042. 5Interview with Donald E. Gregg, Publications Editor, Michigan Coopera- tive Extension Service. Added to the printing cost is the time spent by the publications editor, his staff, the person or persons writing the publication, and those who must approve it. Other costs include labor and postage for distribution. The county extension agents and their staff are involved but to a lesser degree. The cost of a publication from the time its idea is born until it reaches the hands of its user represents a sizeable amount of the extension budget. The extension publication must be an effective source of exten- sion information. The most important determinant of this effectiveness is to publish information that was requested by the users. Having analyzed the publication and its place in the extension programrthe purpose of this study will be expanded and discussed in more detail. The purposes of this study are: 1. To find what questions are asked of county extension agents. .An attempt will be made to identify: a. The kinds of questions that are asked and in what major subject matter areas, if any, can they be grouped. b. How frequently are the questions asked. c. What questions are asked during definite seasons of the year. d. What difference, if any, exist among the counties in the questions asked. 2. To identify the extension publications that are available to answer questions. Identify these publications that can not answer the questions. 5. To prove or disprove the following hypotheses that: a. At least one-half of the questions are answered with information found in publications. 8 b. Less than half of the questions are answered in part or not at all because of the lack of publi- cations in certain subject matter areas. c. When the questions are categorized by the nineh areas of program emphasis of the scope report, over 90 percent of the questions are in the four areas of: 1. efficiency in agricultural production 2. efficiency in marketing distribution 5. management on the farm and in the home 4 youth development The results of this study need not be limited in use. Coupled with the related research in Chapter II the information can be applied in several ways. The office of information services of Michigan State University can use the information to determine: 1. 2. 5. A. 5. 6. What information is needed to answer the questions. In what form.the information is needed: i.e. publication, news release, county program, or some other form.of information. The intensity of the coverage or the amount of information that is needed. Where the information should be disseminated. When the information should be disseminated. What information should not be used or is not needed at that time. The administrative staff of the Cooperative Extension Service could use the same information as a basis to plan the utilization, publi- cation, and dissemination of publications in the extension program» Furthermore a plan of work or a part thereof can be developed that utilizes 4 Subcommittee on Scope and Responsibility, Service, The Go erative Extension eee TOdg-Ze Special report, April 19 is at least part of the information gained from studying the questions used in thi. .mdye CHAPTER II Review of Related Research The purpose of this section was to review any research believed to further enhance the understanding of this study. The areas con- sidered important were: 1. Where people got their information and the importance of publications as one of the sources. 2. The type of informtion people expected to get from the Cooperative Extension Service. 5. Who used the publications. A. How often people used publications and how satisfied they ' were with them. 5. What people thought of extension publications as a source of information. 6. A study by the United States Department of Agriculture on publication needs. A distinction was made between the usage of the terms "informa- tion,‘| and I'inforntion in the form of publications.‘I While the latter was well defined, the first term, 'information,‘ included any and all forms of information disseminated by the Cooperative Extension Service. 1. Where people get their informtion and the importance of publications as one of the sources. A study nde by James N. Young and C. Paul Marsh5 of the adoption of recc-ended farm practices and the sources of infomtion used by 5.1m. N. Young and 0. Paul Marsh. The Adgption of Recommended Farm Practices and Source of Farmers Information. University of Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station, Lexington, Ky., Progress Report 110, Ocubor 19%e 11 Kentucky farmers described the value farmers placed on ten different sources of information. Young and Marsh questioned 595 farmers in 1950 and 545 of the same sample in 1955. They asked the farmers where they got their information and how helpful it was in adopting 14 recommended farm practices in the two years before each interview (Table 1). TABLE 1 Percentage of farmers reporting use of various channels for farming information in the two years fore they were interviewed; 1950 and 1955 1950‘” 1955 Channel of communications (NA595) (N-545) _pgrcent Apercent Radio 86 85 Farm magazines 77 78 Newspapers. 67 69 Television‘ - 41 .Agricultural agency representatives 56 61 Farm.meetings 55 42 Circular letters from.county agent 76 86 Friends, neighbors, or relatives 88 87 Dealers and salesmen 55 55 Farm.bulletins 46 67 aTelevision was not used in 1950. bTotal percentage for each year was more than 100 percent because each farmer gave all the sources of information he used. Extension could have been responsible for part of the information disseminated through radio, newspapers, television, agricultural agency representatives, farm meetings, circular letters from.the county agent, 6Ibid., p. 11. 12 and farm.bulletins. But no description was made as to the amount of extension participation in each of these channels of communication. Farm bulletins included Extension and USDA bulletins. There was no mention of the number of bulletins that came from either agency. A little less than half of the farmers reported using farm bulle- tins in 1950. This increased to about two-thirds of the farmers in 1955. Despite the increasing and high use of farm.bulletins over the five year period, the farmers rated it low as the most helpful source of information (Table 2). TABLE 2 Percentage of farmers who reported various channels as among those from which they got the most helpful information; 1950 and 19557 1950 1955 Channel of communication (N-595) (N-545) percent percent Radio 55 25 Farm.magazines 16 18 Newspapers 4 20 .Agricultural agency representatives 2O 52 Farm meetings 7 7 Farm.bulletins 5 5 Circular letters from county agent 6 6 Friends, neighbors, or relatives 50 52 Dealers and salesmen 2 4 None helpful 5 5 Only five percent of the farmers reported farm bulletins as the most helpful source of information in 1950. This decreased to three percent by 1955. ‘ 71b1de, P‘ge 7e 15 In 1955 the category friends, neighbors, or relatives was reported by over half of the farmers as the most helpful source. This was fol- lowed by agricultural agency representatives and radio. These sources of information and their usefulness were closely related to the reliable sources of agricultural information indicated in the 1955 report by the Subcomittee for the Study of Diffusion of Farm Practices, I'How Farm People Accept New Ideas."8 A part of Elgin Cornett's9 study on how different publics see the Cooperative Extension Service showed where people got their informa- tion. However, his study does not rate the value or relative importance of each source of information. In his study, Cornett used 65 full-time Jackson County dairy far- mers, 4O part-time farmers, 161 members of JacksonfiRotary and Kiwanis Clubs, 41 members of the Jackson business and professional women's clubs and 50 Michigan State University faculty members. All of these 555 people represented a 42 percent response to the questionnaires. Of these, 80 percent said that they had heard of the Cooperative Extension Service. They were asked if they or any member of their family had used information provided by extension agents. The following percentages of each group indicated that they had (Table 5). 8Subcommittee for the Study of Diffusion of Farm.Practices, New Farm People.Accgpt New Ideas, North Central Regional Publication 1. Igri- cultural Extension Service, Iowa State College, November, 1955. 92131:: M. Cornett, 'A Study of Public Conce ts Related to the Role of Cooperative Extension Service,I (Unpublished Master's Thesis), Depart- ment of Extension Personnel Development, Michigan.State University, 1958. 14 TABLE 5 Indication of who has used extension information1o Group using information Percentage of group using Full time farmers 94 Part time farmers 85 Urban groups 42 Farmers and their families were the largest group that used ex- tension information. A little less than half of the urban group used extension information. Cornett asked the people to recall how they received their infor- mation from the Cooperative Extension Service (Table 4). The response to this question showed personal contact as the most common method. Bulletins were used by a little more than half of the people. The 64 percent of full time farmers who used bulletins was very close to the 67 percent of farmers that used farm bulletins in 1955 as shown in the study made by Marsh and Young. In summary of this section certain generalizations were made about the source of information and importance of publications. 1. Considering all the sources of information, farm bulletins were used by not less than half of the farm.pcpulation. 2. Farm bulletins seldom were indicated as the most helpful source of information. But it can be assumed that they were helpful to some degree. 10Ib1de ’ pe 29o 15 TABLE 4 Methods recalled by which extension information was received11 % Of % of % of % of Method Recalled full time part time urban urban farmer farmer men women Telephone 52 21 2O 41 Letter 64 45 24 18 Personal contact 90 75 54 55 Radio 46 49 55 52 T.V.l 10 20 9 9 Newspaper 51 45 51 25 Bulletin 64 58 50 41 Friend 7 5 17 27 5. Considering the information people received from extension, bulletins were used by half of the people (farmers and non-farmers). 4. A higher percentage of the farm population have used extension information as compared to the urban population. 2. The type of information people expected to get from the Cooperative Extension Service Cornett asked if the city population benefited from the agricul- tural education that was intended specifically for farmers. Farmers and urban people seemed to agree on its usefulness. .About a third of all the respondents said it was of much benefit. A little over half indicated that it was only of some benefit. In Cornett's study the term agricultural education can be rather broad. The respondents gave some idea of what this might include when 11Ibid., p. 51. 16 they indicated certain areas of importance for extension's educational assistance to the farmers (Table 5). Information on production techniques was mentioned by over half of the farmers and non-farmers. A quarter of nonpfarmers indicated business methods as the second area of importance. However, a third of the farmers felt business methods and marketing were the second most important areas. TABLE 5 Comparison Between Rural and Urban Answers on What Information is The Most Useful to Farmers12 ‘4 - I i Area of primary assistance ' percent percent to farmers . farmers non-farmers Production techniques 57 50 Business methods 17 25 Marketing 15 9 Conservation 11 9 Organizations 0 5 Public policy 0 2 The women were asked what was the most useful information from the heme demonstration agent (Table 6). Only 25 percent of the women responded to this question. 121b1de ’ Po A‘Oe 17 TABLE 6 Rural and Urban Opinions on the Most Useful Hglp Received From the Home Demonstration Agent L— :— Percent Percent Most helpful rural urban Homemaking skills 1+9 43 Nutrition information 12 6 Ways to save money 9 5 Social graces 9 6 Improve community living standards 2 12 Information on family relations 7 24 No help 12 2 Not more than half of the rural and urban women indicated that they received the most helpful information in the area of homemaking skills. However, there was some difference between rural and urban women in indicating other areas of the most helpful information. Nutri- tional information was mentioned by only 12 percent of rural women. Other areas followed closely to the area of nutritional information. However, a quarter of the urban women indicated information of family relations as the second most important source of information. All the people (men and women) indicated that extension should have increased its educational efforts in areas of zoning, taxation, health, and community problems. 131b1de, Fe 48. 18 Based on the above discussion the following generalizations were made about information people expected from the extension service. 1. Half of the people expected extension to be of primary assistance to farmers on matters pertaining to produc- tion techniques. 2. Women feel that the most helpful information from the home demonstration agent is in the area of homemaking .killae 5. Who used the publications? Most of the research available on the users of publications in- volved only the farm population. However, Cornett's study showed that 49 percent of the urban men and 41 percent of the urban women use publi- cations for extension information. In the rural population, Cornett found over two-thirds of the full time farmers and their families used publications as a source of extension information. A little over half of the part-time farmers and their families used publications as a source of extension information. The Kentucky study by Young and Marsh described the users by gross sales, and the rate of adoption of recommended farm.practices. The use of farm bulletins as a source of information increased appreciably from.195o to 1955 in all groups (Table 7). According to gross sales more fanmers with gross sales over 82,500 used farm.bulletins as a source of information than those who grossed less than 82,500. Except for television, all channels of communications were used more by farmers with high gross sales than those with low gross sales. 19 TABLE 7 Percentage of Fanmers Having Different Gross Sales Who Reported Use of various Channels1£or Farming Information, 1950 and 1955 Less than More than p.20 $2,200 Channel of communications 1950 1955 1950 1955 Radio 85 82 9O 98 Farm magazines 67 75 95 92 Newspapers 56 45 85 88 Television - 27 - 25 .Agricultural agency representatives 4O 45 84 84 Farm.meetings 21 25 54 62 Farm.bullotins 51 55 71 86 Circular letters from county agent 66 79 92 97 Friends, neighbors or relatives 88 82 89 92 Dealers and salesmen 28 45 42 67 With a few exceptions all the different channels increased as sources of information from 1950 to 1955 for those people in both income groups. According to the rate of adoption of recommended farm.practices, i.e. low, medium.or high adoption, the use of bulletins increased over the five year period (Table 8). In 1955 less than half of those living in a low adoption neigh- borhood reported farm bulletins as a source of information. Those living in medium and high adoption neighborhoods used farm bulletins frequently. As the rate of adoption moves from low to high the use of all channels of communications as sources of information increased. Radio; farm.magazines; and friends, neighbors or relatives increased slightly 11*Young and Marsh, 92. cit., p. 15. 20 TABLE 8 Percentage of Farm.0perators Reporting Use of Various Channels For Farming Information in the Two Years Preceding The Interview, 1950 and 1955, Classified.Accordin to the Type of Neighborhood in Which They Lived‘ Low adoption Medium.adoption High adoption Channel or 1950 1955 1950 1955 1950 1955 omnication (N—156) (II-158) (N-159) (N-125) (N-98) (N-82) Radio 82 88 88 81 89 88 Farm.nagazines 7O 75 88 81 95 92 Newspapers 52 48 71 84 85 84 Television - 54 - 4O - 54 Agr'l. agency repres. 54 41 66 7O 82 84 Farm.meetings 19 24 56 44 55 70 Fans bulletins 28 47 50 80 69 85 Circular letters from county agent 65 75 84 95 86 98 Friends, neighbors 88 82 82 86 97 95 Dealers and salesmen 27 49 29 58 49 61 but were mentioned quite frequently as sources of information and varied little according to the neighborhood in which they lived. Young and Marsh found that farm bulletins were not given as the most helpful source of farm information regardless of the description of the user, i.e. gross sales and rate of adoption. Farm.bulletins, when reported as the most helpful source, ranged from a low one to nine per- cent of farmers in all of the groups. In summary of this section, the following generalizations were made concerning those who used publications. 1. About half of the urban population using extension information used publications. 2.4About two-thirds of the farm population using extension information used publications. 151bid., p. 17. 21 5. Farmers with high gross sales were more frequent users of farm bulletins as a source of information than those with low gross sales. 4. Farmers who lived in neighborhoods with medium and high adoption rates were more frequent users of farm bulletins as a source of farming information than those who lived in a low adoption neighborhood. 5. Regardless of who had used the publication, they were seldom.indicated as the most helpful source. These are rather limited assumptions and tell very little about people who use publications. But it described those farmers who used extension information as to gross sales and rate of adoption of recom- mended farm.practices. 4. How often people used publications and how satisfied they were with the publications. No research was found that studied how often all the people used publications and to what degree. But the study on awareness and use of USDA and State Agricultural Publications among Illinois Farmers16 gave the desired information about the farm population. The Illinois study was based on the results of 794 questionnaires returned from 856 panel members. Each panel member was a farm family engaged in farming on a commercial basis, as defined by the United States Census Bureau. Each county in Illinois was represented by at least one panel member. A large majority (81.5 percent) of all the respondents had known that USDA publications were available and a slightly smaller majority 16Office of Information, USDA, Awareness and Use.Among Illinois Farmers of USDA and State.AgEicultural Publications, mimeo. April 1958. 22 (79.5 percent) knew they were free. Fewer people (66.6 percent) were aware that College publications were available and slightly less (62.8 percent) knew that they were free. The types of users were determined by the number of publications used per year (Table 9). TABLE 9 Intensity of Use as Shown by Number of Pgblications Received in the Last 12 Months1 Number of Publications Percent Received Answering None (non-user) 27.6 1-5 (light user) 25.5 6-15 (Medium user) 50.0 16 or more (heavy user) 18.9 __:‘ — About half of the non-users knew that publications were available. The average number of publications used by all of the respondents in a 12 month period was 15.1. College publications made up about two- thirds of this number or about 8.6 publications. ‘Among the heavy users, twice as many college publications were used as the USDA publications. Among light and medium users USDA publications had a higher number. About a quarter of the respondents had no publications in their home. Another quarter had 11 or more, while the remaining half had one to ten different publications (Table 10). 17Ibid., p. 12. 25 TABLE 10 Average Number of Publications geceived Last 12 Months by Source1 .Averagg Number by Source Type of User USDA U. of Ill. Other Colleges All respondents 4.4 8.5 0.4 Non-user -- -- -- Light user 1.5 1.7 0.2 Medium user 5.9 4.9 0.2 Heavy user 9.0 21.6 0.8 In summary of this section the following generalizations were made about the users of publications. 1. About two-thirds of the farm population were aware that college publications were available for distribution. About the same percent knew that they were free. A quarter of the farm.families have used college publications. About half of the farm families have used between one and five college publications per year per family. About 20 percent of the farm families have used about 20 college publications per year per family. These families were classified as heavy users of publications. 5. What people thought of extension publications as a source of information. Recalling the study by Young and Marsh, it was shown that farm bulletins were mentioned seldom as the most helpful source of information. 181bid., p. 18. 24 The Illinois study stated about half of the people indicated that publi- cations were of some help. Farm families were not overly enthused about the help received from publications. Table 11 indicates that non-users received some help from.publi- cations. No explanation was made on what is meant by the amount of help the non-users have received since they supposedly have not used publications. TABLE 11 Amount of Help Received From.Publications By Type of User19 Type of User All Amount of Help Families Non-user Light Medium Heavy Very much 14.1% 2.7% mg 18.1% 28.0% Much 16.1 2.5 12.8 25.1 29.5 Some 44.2 19.2 64.5 54.6 59.5 Very little or none 10.1 21.0 11.2 5.8 2.7 NO “Ivor 15e5 54e8 0e5 Oeh 0e? In the previous sections of this chapter it was generalized that bulletins were used by not less than half of the farm population. It was also generalized that bulletins were seldom indicated as the most helpful source of information. The above table has shown the amount of help the people thought they had received. Three editorial factors were used in the Illinois study to measure the attitudes of the users concerning their use of publications as a 19Ibid., p. 15. 25 source of information. These factors were: (1) ease of reading, (2) ease of finding information, and (5) the practicability of content. According to ease of reading about half of the people indicated that at least three-fourths of the publications were easy to read. A third gave no answer. Only about 2 percent indicated that none of the publications were easy to read. A majority (57.5 percent) of the farm families indicated that ease of finding information was fairly easy or very easy. About a third gave no answer with a small 7.5 percent indicating some sort of difficulty. Another good majority (58.5 percent) indicated that the informa- tion in the publication was practical. .About a third gave no answer with the balance indicating little or no practicability. A New York study of Homemakers' Opinions of an Extension bulletin by Emilie T. Hall reported what homemakers think of the publication, 'Reupholstering Chairs With Foam Rubber.'20 The results of this study were quite limited. It involved only those people who requested the publication. During the period April 1954 to February 1955, the Cornell Uni- versity mailing room received 1,104 requests for the publication. Of this total 694 were women with New York state addresses. The balance were men, business concerns, and out of state women. A random sample of 545 was made from the requests by 694 New York women. The response to the mailed questionnaire was 265 (77%). 2Dannie T. Hall, et a1, Homemakers' Opinions of an Extension Bulletin. Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, State of New York, 26 About two-thirds of the women said they wanted the bulletin be- cause they had some furniture that needed reupholstering and they wanted to do it themselves. This was the main purpose of the bulletin. The remaining number of respondents said they wanted the bulletin for in- formation for future reference. A high proportion of the women indicated the bulletin met their expectations or was better than expected. Nearly all of the women (95%) felt satisfied about paying the 25¢ charge for the publication. Only 2 percent said they did not get their money's worth. According to this study there was a very high percentage of women who were satisfied with the publication. But as mentioned earlier these were women who had requested the publication. It could be assumed that the women believed the bulletin would give the information they wanted. Otherwise they might not have ordered it. In summary of this section the following generalizations have been made for this study: 1. About half of the farm families felt they received at least some help from publications. 2..A majority of the farm families found that publications were easy to read, easy to find information, and contained practical information. 5..A very large percentage of women who requested publications believed the publications met their expectations. 27 6. Other related research. The Office of Information, United States Department of.Agricul- 21 The ture, has completed a study that was very similar to this one. results were not available at the time this study was made. The purpose of the study was to gain information that would aid in the determination of subject matter, editing, and quantity of USDA publications for public use. The scope of the study was to record the questions asked of the Cooperative Extension Service during the year 1958. The sample included five states, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Washing- ton. In each state a few sample counties were selected. Because of its similarity in procedure and method, further analysis of the USDA study was made in the following chapters. This chapter was an incomplete summary of all related informa- tion but has summarized the more important findings. In the specific field of this study research.unknown to the author may have been avail- able. The generalizations made from the related research were incorporated in the analysis and conclusion of this study. 2'1Letter from Larry E. Sarbaugh, Office of Information, United States Department of.Agriculture, June 50, 1958. CHAPTER III Collection of Data 1. Procedure and Method of Classifying Questions The scope of this study included only the questions recorded in the four Michigan sample counties of.Arenac, Berrien, Gratiot, and Macomb. These counties were selected as a representative sample of the state of Michigan to be used in the USDA study. Yet each county repre- sented different major types of farming carried out in various areas of the state. Because of the differences in the agriculture, population, and non-farm.business, differences in county extension programs were expected. Arenac represented the small population (9,644) and farm.business area; Berrien had a strong agricultural interest in fruit and dairy and a growing suburban population of 155,000; Gratiot was strong in general farm crops and livestock and had 56,000 residents; and Macomb had a grow- ing;metropolitan and suburban population (580,000) which lived close to the Detroit area with major agricultural interest in truck farming. The questions used in this study were the same questions used in the USDA study. However, the questions in this study were those asked during the first 28 weeks of 1958: roughly the first seven months of the year. For the most part the questions were very specific. An ex- ample of some of the questions is, 'What varieties of corn should I plantt'I All of the county extension agents and the office staff of these counties were asked to record all the questions asked of the Cooperative 29 Extension Service. This included any and all means of communications and situations through which the questions were asked. There were a few errors in recording questions. The agents in each sample county pointed out some of the problems encountered. The county extension agents were asked what percent of all the questions they failed to record. Arenac county agents indicated that they probably missed 25 to 50 percent of the questions; Berrien agents missed 25 to 40 percent; and Gratiot and Macomb missed 50 to 75 Percent. This error represented many questions. Certainly this would not be taken as a criticism.of the agents. It was very difficult to record all the questions under so many different circumstances. Many times questions were asked too rapidly for agents to record every question. When the opportunity to record did arise they had to rely on their memory to recall the questions. The agents admitted that this was how many questions were missed. They also felt that the ques- tions recalled from memory were the most difficult questions and the questions most often repeated. Those not remembered were many of the so-called 'easy' questions. Each county was assigned a week to record questions. During the first week of 1958.Arenao county agents recorded the questions asked in their county, the second week Berrien county agents did the same for their county; during the third week Gratiot county agents did likewise as did the Macomb agents the fourth week. This four week rotation con- tinued throughout 1958. At the end of each week of recording questions, each county copied all the questions in triplicate on small file cards. Each copy included 50 one question as asked by the individual, the date of the week, and the name of the county. The county kept the original copy and sent the other two copies to the bulletin office at Michigan State University. The second copy was filed in the bulletin office. The third copy was forwarded to the Office of Information, USDA. A question classification form was used to tabulate all the ques- tions. A copy of the question classification form used by the USDA was used as a guide to set up the question classification form.used in this study. This was done in the following manner. 1. The USDA form was taken to the state extension project leaders in the various departments. Each leader was asked to make any changes in those question classification areas that would pertain to his or her department. The changes made were used in constructing a revised ques- tion classification form that would be adaptable to the type of questions asked in Michigan. 2. Using the revised form as a guide the questions were classified. Some of the categories had to be omitted because there were no questions. Other categories had to be changed to adapt to the questions. Some categories were added. No changes were made where the questions and categories were homogeneous. Using this procedure it was evident that the questions determined the categories. 5. Question categories were grouped under specific subject areas, which in turn were grouped under major subject areas. For example, the question, “What variety of corn should I plant?‘I was tabulated under varieties and strains, a question category. Since the question involved 51 corn, the question category was grouped under corn, a specific subject area. Corn was grouped under grain crops, a major subject area (See Table 15 on page 41). The questions were classified originally by months and county. The results of this classification showed such a scattering of questions that little could be done in summarizing. It was decided that the questions would have to be grouped by seasons and counties. The first season is Winter and includes the months of January and February. The second season is Spring and includes March and April. The third season is summer and includes May, June, and July. The months that were grouped together in each season were similar in number of questions asked in all major areas for those particular months. The significance of each question category was measured on the basis of the average number of questions asked per month. By arbitrary reasoning the following significance groups were defined by the average number of questions asked per month. Average number of questions asked per month Si ficance ou No questions No questions asked 1 to 2 questions Few questions asked 2 to 7 questions Some questions asked 7 or more questions Many questions asked To apply this measurement of significant questions to the seven month period, the average number of questions per month in each question category was multiplied by seven. This gave the following table that was used to measure the significance of each question category during the seven month period. 52 Total number of questions asked 0- 6 7-15 14-43 49 - and over Significance ggoup No questions asked Few questions asked Some questions asked Many questions asked To be considered significant each question category must have a total of seven or more questions for the seven month period. If lower than seven the questions were regarded as insignificant. Seasonality of each question asked was measured by the direct change from one significance group to another during the change in suc- cessive seasons. Each question category must have a total of seven or more questions (significant) before being analyzed for seasonality. The following table was used as a basis for determing seasonality. Sigificance goup No questions asked Few questions asked Some questions asked Many questions asked Number of questions asked by seasons Winter Spring Summer 0-1 0-1 0-2 2'3 2'5 5-5 11—15 4—15 6-20 14-more 14-more 14-more Seasonality of a question may be measured by one of four possible methods. 1. No seasonality (NS) - no change in significant groups by seasons. 2. Low seasonality (LS) - change from one significant group to the next higher or lower group. 5. Some seasonality (SS) - change from one significant group to another, skipping the next higher or lower group. 4. Much seasonality (MS) - change in either direction from the significant groups 'no questions asked' and "many questions asked.‘ 55 Question categories in the significant group 'no questions asked' were not discussed in the analysis. Only some and much seasonality was indicated for any question category if it existed. 2. Procedure and Method of Analyzing the Publications The problem of measuring the effectiveness of the extension publi- cations was very complex. Each question would have to be read and the answer if available in extension publications would have to be found. With the assistance of Richard Bell, Assistant Director, Michigan Co- operative Extension Service, the publications were scanned to find the answer for each question category. There were certain publications that could answer several ques- tions. This was especially true with bulletins and other larger publi- cations. The smaller publications, especially folders, farm building circulars, and a few of the special bulletins dealt with a specific area of information. For example, folder 247, described how to recognize and control black knot of p1um.and cherry; a very specific area. The spraying calender, extension bulletin 154, contains information for spraying many fruits and vegetables, a very broad area. Such a bulle- tin had information applicable to several question categories. The list of available publications was made from.three sources: (1) Catalog of available publications, January 1958, (2) Bulletin Office inventory, August 1, 1958, and (5) Richard Bell, Assistant Director, Michigan Cooperative Extension Service. Using this source, a list was made of all available publications as of August 1, 1958. This date was selected because the questions in 54 the study were recorded up to this date. Thus a more realistic picture was obtained on the publications made available at the time the ques- tions were asked. 5. Procedure and Method for Analyzing Those Who.Asked the Questions No information was recorded about the persons who asked the ques- tions. At the time this study was started, questions had been recorded for five months. Because of this situation, it was impossible to des- cribe all the people, how and if their questions were answered, how they used extension information, and their reaction to the extension program. In order to get this information a personal interview of people who asked questions in two sample counties was formulated. Gratiot and Macomb counties were selected because of their different population make- up and the type of agriculture represented. The agents in Macomb and Gratiot were asked to record all the names and addresses of those people who asked questions during one week in June. The agents were willing to cooperate but pointed out that the extra time required would interfere with the recording and answering of the questions. So as not to interfere with the agents job of answering questions, the agents were asked to select a sample of only 15 people who asked questions during their week in June. The agents then recorded the names and addresses of the 15 people. The goal was to interview at least ten people. 35 The author went to Macomb and Gratiot counties in late June and early July of 1958. There were 22 personal interviews made, 11 in each county. All of the interviewees cooperated and expressed themselves freely. At times they answered many questions without the interviewer asking them. The interviews and the method of sampling have too many errors and biases for any concrete conclusions or generalizations. However, they provided sufficient information for formulating assumptions important to this study. CHAPTER IV Analysis of the Data 1. Introduction to Question.Analysis Table 12 shows the number of questions by major question areas and counties. The numerical order was based on the total number of questions in each area. The area with the highest number of questions was first. ’ Analysis of all the questions in this manner was very limited. It does not show seasonality in the specific type of questions asked. Therefore, the only analysis made was a measure of relative importance. TABLE 12 Number of Questions by Major Areas and Counties Order by Total of Total number of questions total number four asked by counties of questions counties Major Question.Area asked Arenac Berrien Gratiot Macomb I. Grain crops 4 160 25 26 105 6 II. Forages 12 91 41 19 _15 16 III. Vegetables 15 72 9 41 1 21 IV. Fruits 6 124 5 78 1 40 V. Nursery stock and home grounds 10 105 10 24 1 70 VI. Livestock 5 185 40 72 58 51 VII. Insects, diseases, parasites, weeds and other pests 1 868 28 495 115 252 57 TABLE 12_- continued Cider by (Total of ’_7Tota1 number of questions total number four asked by counties of questions counties MajorgQuestion Area asked Arenac Berrien Gratiot Macomb VIII. Marketing, farm policy, govt. agen- cies, &Tfarm.& home service organiza- tions 9 111 29 55 5 22 IX. Soil and water con- servation and manage- ment, forestry and wildlife 2 416 65 157 104 92 X. Farm.management 5 128 46 41 59 52 XI. Farm buildings and mechanical equip. 5 128 55 15 59 51 XII. House & surroundings 7 119 46 29 2O 24 XIII. Home management 8 family economics 17 6 5 O 1 2 m. Clothing 8 115 26 111 ~ 26 2o XV. Foods and Nutrition 11 95 11 56 15 51 m. Health, family life - and safety 15 58 16 7 5 12 XVII. Community develop- ment & public affairs 14 62 1O 14 25 15 a. with extension and 4-H included (175) (24) (65) (48) (58) XVIII. Miscellaneous 16‘ 8 5 5 O 2 Total 2958 478 1204 554 722 Over half of the questions in major area XVII involved extension organizations, programs, and 4-H club work. While it was important to 58 consider these questions in total, they were not involved in further analysis. The total number of questions classified during the seven month period was 2,958. The number of questions by counties was as follows: Arenac Comty e e e e e Berrien County. . Gratiot County. . Macomb County . . TOtflleeeeee O The number of questions Winter Spring smereeeeee O O O O O O TOtaleeeeeee Analysis of the Questions 478 1 204 554 122 2958 by seasons was as follows: 780 . . 1,015 . . 1,142 . . 2,958 by Major Subject Areas. Analysis of the questions was made by discussing each major ques- tion area using the following procedure. 1. The question was classified according to question categories by county and season (found in table form). 2. The significant question categories and seasonality were noted. 5. Analyze each major question area based on the information found in steps two and three. In the following portion of the text the narrative for each major subject area has immediately preceded the table it described as well as a statistical analysis of the significant questions. 1. Grain CrOps This major area was fourth in number of questions asked with 160. Gratiot county recorded about two-thirds of these questions. Of the total number of questions, 117 dealt with varieties and strains of grain crops, of which over half of these, 60, involved corn varieties and strains. Questions on oat and field bean varieties and strains ranked second and third. All of these particular questions had seasonality. Except for a few questions on corn planting and soybean varieties and strains the other question categories were considered in- significant. There were many questions on varieties and strains, but there were few dealing with the problems of planting crops. It was expected that these questions would have been very close in the number of ques- tions recorded especially in the spring. Possible explanations might be that (1) the people who asked the questions were well accustomed to the problems involved in planting but not accustomed to problems involving varieties and strains; (2) the 'easy' questions the questions on planting could have been some of the agents forgot to record. Another pecularity was the small number of questions from.Gratiot county concerning soybeans and field beans since those two crops were grown extensively in that county. As a possible explanation the Gratiot county farmers were probably able to handle such problems or the agents could have failed to record the questions. Statistical Analysis of Grain Crops - 160 questions Few questions a. corn planting b. soybean variety and strains - SS Some questions a. cat varieties and strains - MS b. fieldbean varieties and strains - SS Many questions a. corn varieties and strains - SS 41 moo5AUCH hand one emmzb «he: A sooneoue Hfine< one sees: Anm dodmaomfi hammhnoh can hammcmh sz henna: 5m possum mmHQO .080 UOWS mCOmem 0 OMEN 0m:— ‘6 ~ mofipmmomohm oopooom .H memo .o wcmhho was mdmhomm «mommmobhmm .m mcmommm one moapmwhmo .m WWI-l ("UH O H [s of NM sensuous .H ch00 .m Mmodwoh mmmfimmOfiHnmm .: wommme .wmmmmozmm .m monMmm mmm mommomhmo .m H010] HNFV) 3: m3 mm wilful-RN O \0 1-1 HHN mceneoem .H noos3 .< Ammommom an new mcofipmomd Hmuoav mmomu 2H .H Honomow mH macho mambo mowshmm moo mowmofinon .m H0 H1: wufionflm . 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The other ques- tions were considered insignificant. There was no seasonality in this major subject area. A peculiar situation is noted in the specific categories rates of seeding, and varieties and strains of hay, silage, and rotation forages. Here 25 questions were recorded in the winter while only 22 were recorded in spring and summer. No explanation was made for the unusual occurrence of springytype questions asked in the winter months. Statistical.Analysis of Forages - 91 questions few questions a. hay, silage, and rotation crops; harvesting and storing some questions a. hay, silage, and rotation crops: rates of seeding b. hay, silage, and rotation crops; varieties and strains Hm Hm AM 041-! mmmwomm .m mafipoHSQOAQ meoooom .H mofiposdoam doom dam macaw hoeoo .o ymoaowomma snowmen .m mofipoeaom mmo mommmmhmo .m Hm Hmm HMH wseooom .H ohmpmom .m mswwmonm mono wommmmmommco .DH m 1woom mmmhsm .0 H14 Housewomma was one mono .m HHHM H monommmhm Hakeem” .N mmmom oonmmHEMom womm .m mmmottm m Ha 0.3 H03 d0 0 wmfihovm was mmMMmoehmMIww NFJ I" NNH «3 MH ND kifllan elm-owowrirdLJ 0\d‘H mflfigmm mmd mOmw0mth em wmfiwoomxho women .m (UN Nm-Pmme-am H 0\ mm mm HHMHH scapegoaohm copomom .a mommhom mofipmpon dam nomdafim «hum .< mmommom hp mom mdoapmomw Hmpoav mflu .o m m m H mouse .8 mohmomoh onsohm 350a mo monmom .u H H H weepomma doom wagon .m H H Hr 388% m N m H mmHoHpm mom moHpoHHo> .H 3338 .m m m m mcommmomHmE .m H H H H 53.83% oooooom .H muses. .396 .< Pm Hm :m NH. Ammommom he. Homo mmOHpmomu H395 anagg .HHH 533 $33 583 383 emem3m0 MR 9 a S .3560 3560 Amazon .3560 comoom H. mm... 0 £80.02 #0395 ooHHHom some: ho. m T. n 9 Hence a m m. o u m 9 60:3. 283853 he Hooasz doses. 25385 one no 83333930 39 $588 938% 62. .8325 .afimmmm .323 E weapons 38sz 3,58 mo ngomomm 89$ mzofimae so mums; BE zoEéHmHmmfio mH "HHS; H H H H m mmmwwooHHnmm .m H H H mmHserm Home monoHHop .H H H HtHr m m wanes» H9386 H LI H m moHHemHm .m H H H : ooHpohmnona convoom .H nephew QEoHH Honcho oHnopomo> .Q 5.0.33 smmm3 5&3 883 583% me e .m a o._ e o T. hposoo humsoo .3550 .3560 oomoom m. Ewe fl HEOooz 83.95 mpoHom 030.3 an m w w... H309 s m. m. o u m .— Heoxmo. mmoHumosa mo Honasz 4 ooxme. 303350 05 no cOHpoOHmHmmmHo domchmoo .. nH mamas IV. Fruits This major area of questions was sixth in total questions asked with 124. Most of these questions dealt with tree fruits. As expected, a large number of questions came from.Berrien and Macomb Counties, 78 and 40 respectively, where fruit was a major part of the counties' income. Arenac and Gratiot had very few questions re- corded. However, fruit is not an important enterprise in these two counties. In both tree and small fruit area, 78 questions dealt with some kind of growing practice, such as thinning, pruning, chemical thinning, and similar questions. The questions were very specific and each was identified with a type of fruit. Samples of questions in this section were, 'Is now the time to prune my apple trees?", I'Vlhat causes resetting in apples?‘ and 'Shall I let all the weeds and grass grow up in the rows _of a young peach orchard to slow down the growth of the trees and get them to mature their wood earlier?" There was an increase in seasonality in most of the question categories. This was expected because fruit trees and small fruit de- mand more time and attention in the spring and summer months, therefore many problems had arisen during those seasons. The question categories of varieties and strains had very few questions. This was much lower than the number of questions in the same category under grain crops, forages, and commercial vegetables. Most fruits are perennial. Thus the grower only needed to worry about the variety and strain of fruit when he set out new plants or trees. 50 Statistical Analysis of Fruits - 124 questions Few questions a. tree fruits; publication request - SS Some questions a. small fruits: pruning, thinning, and general plant care - SS b. Tree fruits; growth regulators and chemical thinning 0. tree fruits; other cultural operations, pruning, training, identifying growth problems 51 m H 3 H. 3 20360393 .H m H m m H Heoaemsmww a mdnwwmaanos psoHonwmlww H m m HH m m 9 HH NH mm H 3388 £3on @1333: $5295. 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Heat hpcsoo hummoo hpcsou .3550 mommom m m Me n. pfioomz .33me moHHHom someone. .3 m I % may Hence a m m. o u U S B H 3me mooHpmoHHd .Ho Manama . doMmHH 303350 on» no nOHpooHMHmmoHo man $5758 28¢: 82 .HoHeeHe .zfimmmm Jammie 2H mamas. HOHmHanH H.280 Ho ngomém momma mHOHHmmpe Ho mag 92 HOHHéHemmmeHo NH Ems... 55 VI . Livestock This area ranked third in total questions asked with 185. Berrien County was the main source of the questions with 72. Arenac, Gratiot and Macomb followed with 50, 58 and 37 respectively. In analysis by subject matter, livestock feeding and management questions were asked more often than any other type of question. .Among the most frequently asked questions were those on cattle feeding and swine management. Feeding questions dealt with the problems on feeding practices and comparison of different types of available feed on hand. Very few questions dealt with purchasing of feed. Management questions dealt with most anything on management of the particular type of livestock. Though there were relatively few ques- tions in number, breeding and care of bred livestock seemed important. There were many livestock questions asked in the winter and spring. The summer season had very few. Probably the farmers had turned their attention to those things that can only be done in the summer; such as taking care of the crops. However, several unusual conditions had arisen in this major area. Though Berrien County had a strong dairy enterprise, only 15 of its 72 questions dealt with dairy. Beef and hog questions were more numerous. Another unusual condition was the fact that Berrien County had no live- stock questions recorded during the summer. Part of this situation could be due to the sudden loss of the agricultural agent at that time. Gratiot County, strongly agricultural in livestock, especially swine, had relatively few questions compared to the number of questions 56 from.Macomb. Though Macomb actually had fewer questions than Gratiot, it certainly was not as involved in livestock as the number of questions seemed to indicate, or as Gratiot County was involved. The livestock questions from Gratiot County were mostly repeated questions. For example the question, 'What should I feed my hogs?I was recorded word for word four times. It was doubtful that these questions were asked in an identical manner. It was assumed that this wording was chosen by the agent to facilitate recording of basically similar questions. It was possible that the number of questions recorded was an esti- mate of the number of questions, not an.accurate count. Probably many of these repeated questions were underestimated because of the high per- cent of questions missed in Gratiot County. This might explain the low number of livestock questions from.Gratiot. Statistical Analysis of Livestock - 185 questions Few questions a. cattle feeding; management b. hogs; methods of feeding, supplements, & drugs c. sheep feeding d. dairy feeding systems and arrangements e. dairy; labor and housing management f. dairy production records Some questions a. cattle feeding, feed additions, and supplements b. hog management practices - SS 57 H wthem°wmm oaom .m Immovm mamwcenm mo meonmom .u moOHHonna wooaewsemfl .m awake one ounce nommmnm ,mdmmoem mo mwwmmmfi .m H xOOHpmo .H omHsm .o mwmmm mnwweonm mm condom .m EHeoalszEw pmoaebonmaH when .H seamena mnHeoohp oprMo Moon .m U\ d'WlN .d'fi H H m H U\b—d‘P Fl (hFe~Or4 GIN r-l H .1 d N O! 01 HH bl NlflJWS NI4 occurn Wlfl'fl OH H moeaowdnmw .H mm m mquEOHmmdm .mmmmwmwwo mcom .memweohnwm 3E» e be. o» 3&3 mo ecu .m w x838 .H 3:58 Sets moon .H. “\N gt# Fan: “\FW "3% ~«m [nth «3e ux Amcommem hp one mGOHpmesu Hmpoav. 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ZOHBoI «)34ewrlgr: NH mpoommH mcHnonouoo3 .d .3 am am 3 hpmsoo paced: am am 3 am am 3 hucsoo cethom huesoo HOHpnhc 3m 3m 3 hpcsoo omnon< :1- Ch \OIiN 3m w 3 condom an H303 Ivuom Quotqsenb Wuotasenb Jo suopqaollg‘ voxm¢ mcoHpmesa mo Aenadz eoem< mapomosa an» no apouonHmmuHo eoscHucoo - m H mum|H mcomwspmpmnm pHMmmoI.m codenom mrnoHcow mnoanfiswo a neck .m Hr“ 67 m: A N 2 ma mm m3 b-NEH oofibpom a adhmonm m.cofipdNfiaomho .A mnofipoNchmno mcfimmnohdm dad mcfipoxhdz .< Amcomdom 39 was mcoflpmosu Hdpoav mZOHBfimmzoo a: 924. .uHom .NH 533 533 590.3 583 swam 3% m.M e I q 3:500 3550 5.2500 3560 comsom mm mm paces: ”303th coatom 0393. 3.3 m I m. w. H.309 s I. 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Decca: poHpch clopom omcmh< an M.W. % a A Hmpomh m mm A ‘0 u u s S doxm< mcoHpmosy MO #09852 doxm< mcoHpmozd map mo coHmeHmHmmoHo mmmH mfiezpoo 98on 972 .8238 53.13% 6.2%: 3H mega? 28sz 3328 .8 3.223% a2 28.8.9.0 .8 E32 62. ZOEHQHBmmSo mm mHmou .m I H l H H 9.3 38 wcHHamm .m m m H Hi [H m m mt m 0H W I mcoHHuHsmoHchwPfi m H m n m 0H m GOHumHomHoocH Hmpcoaoohmo mchmHomo mHfismm .momon .H mmochsn andm mo mpoommo HoweH .0 smmm3Hsmmm3 53m: $33 smmmze mun . w a 0. 3:32:00 .3560 3.9.550 3.9560 cemwom new mm .m m.“ nSoomz poHpmhw cOHHHom oncoh< an mnmw e e# p . o m I m. m. _ _ HS 8 ‘8 I. O . O U. _ . . u a. it: . 31 sljwtl 1. {II doxm< mcoHpmosa 30 903552 ‘ _ doxm< mcoHpmosa on» mo COHpmoHHHmmoHo t 33380 - mm HES. 79 XI. Famm Buildings and Mechanical Equipment This major area had the same number of questions, 128, as the preceding area. Arenac had recorded the most questions with 55 followed by Macomb and Gratiot with 51 and 29 respectively. Berrien recorded 15. Most of the questions dealt with planning and construction problems which involved mostly dairy buildings and equipment. No questions were recorded in Berrien County, which was strong in dairy farming, about dairy buildings and equipment. Questions that involved buildings were recorded mostly during the winter and spring. Most of the questions that dealt with equipment were recorded during the spring and summer. Statistical Analysis of Farm.Buildings and Mechanical Equipment - 128 questions Few questions a. planning and construction of dairy buildings - 88 b. planning and construction of swine buildings c. selection and construction of farm.building equipment for; 1. ndlk production and handling equipment - 88 d. selection of chemical sprayers - 88 Some questions a. planning and construction of milking parlors, stanchions, etc. - SS b. silage whommooxmmmHMIwcm momsom coohb .m mmaHHHHsH HoommofiH noE hHWHoomlhm SHE EH8 .H .mwcHdHHSH Show deHHmmoh Ho meHOdofiom .m mHloopos mmm mmcHwHHdm anon .m r401 31h: Hmmr-Hn HHmH H [-4 MHr—l F‘JH L—‘NH momH3me rib! 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House and Surroundings, Furnishings and Equipment This section of non-seasonal questions accounted for the seventh highest number of questions. Arenac County had 46 of the 119 asked in this area. The rest of the questions were evenly divided among the other three counties. Most of the questions were in two specific areas, the house with 54 questions and home furnishings with 41 questions. More specifically these questions included planning, repairing and remodeling of the house and its furnishings. The number of landscaping questions were negligible. This was because most landscaping questions were tabulated in major area V. The questions recorded in this section involved beautification and had noth- ing to do with the growing and care of plants. It was rather surprising to see so few questions that dealt with household equipment. It was a well known fact that a great variety of home appliances could be found in almost every home. If a problem had arisen with household equipment the dealer from whom it was purchased was probably contacted. Some gas and electric companies as well as many dealers have service departments for such problems. Probably extension is the last place a person would expect to call for assistance. Statistical Analysis of House and Surroundings, Furnishings and Equipment - 119 questions Few questions a. improving the kitchen - 88 b. selection, care and use of slipcovers - SS c. selection, care and use of window treatments d. upholstering 85 Some questions a. house planning, repairing, and remodeling - SS mnonmoz .n "mo ohdo dam on: .ooHpooHom .H pnoamsto wsHaom asap nonpov pm Hove @502 .0 Nmoosonm macs esp you momHm mchoomocmH .m an mmemom quHOHWmoo nHo ~on=mmmom .m wcHhHB .N meowmhm owsamm .w Hd’o Hr QJU\F)U\ .4 HH Hmhowmon dam mmmcmwmom monoHomHH aowmhm gowns .m momma owmhowm de30hmmH .u aoommmnm mmm mdm>0hmmH Hm [\H co ommw om» mmH>OHQMH .m .—-I \O gHmm BSNM MLO HH mm mm mm deHocoth mcHhHmmon MdHoomHm .H omsom .2 mnemmom 29 one mooHpmoow Hopoav B2mzmeGH 92¢ mo2HmmH2mph .mezHozbommsm oz< mmsom .HHH 5m 3m 3 2pc500 assoc: am am 3 hpozoo HOHHmHU am am 3 2pc500 clohom 3m 3m 3 2pn500 omooh< am am 3 oommom suorqsenb Hmpoe Igfiom suopqsenb 10; doxm< mcoHpmosG mo Hopasz ___ suopqeoptqga ooxm< mcoHpmosa esp mo ooHpoonHmmoHo mmmH mmHazsoo mzooOo hOOHm oo>os .m oHSHHohdh .o "mo and was ohdo .GOHpooHom .H mwcHHmHES oaom .o mHHmcopd COHpohmmohm meH .w mmmuoohm woo mmmpmMOMHhmom .0 whoth .3 u-IH HL Han10\c>H-b101 :rr— 343434 HO] 0] H l0\ 0.0 01“ Ni m Hu—l K\d HaLJHJ H-bln H H H H m 5.53 swam 3 390.3 swam 3 H633 apodoo hpcsoo bucsoo 2po300 condom paced: pOHponc coHHhom ommoh< 29 Hence suorqsenb IEQOL suopqsenb 10; H as BUO ooxm< mcoHpmomd mo 909852 ooxm< mooHpmosw mg» no cOHpooHMHmmoHo doschcoo a HN HHm90009m 500m .0 (x. O\ \D H 90m05 > 50 55930 0 m (UH HH NH .050 «00HW905 90m 0wm0m H0H0mmm .m mmoog de mmhommw_ om *‘r' PHMH 00Hmmm0m0o .m 0MMOxw50 90mm .w E r-IH r-lr-l H0000mw~xHqu90wm5mw 0m05wm9m mmmmh .H 0 09m .m .0H0 0H00900 50 NHND 0H00a 5509n .m 54% 00500990m .H 005H009 .50Hu0905095 500m .m5H550Hm H002 .m m q>51015 n N1k)rir\m Hm NMHL-‘r—IH \OHHN 535 5055 .3550 0085 .H H080 0530300 .5 “500000 39 550 050H5005u H0poav ZOHBHmHDz 925 00005 .3N m C'\ mH H 0H 50 50 3 555500 580002 50 50 3 hp55oo 50Hp09u 50 503 hp55oo 50H990m 50 50 3 555500 005095 50503 50000m 55 H805 suopqeenb 19400 suotqeenb do; 50505 050Hp005d m0 905552 “23913913 19nd 50505 083350 055 00 503033330 wmmH 05557500 0:005: 855 .8520 552550 655555 E 05.5505 58055555 555500 50 952500550 9505 058505.50 50 550255 55 5855330050 3N MHm0995H .9 H H H 05030050, 0m0HHoHHm .H \H \m m\ m H M5H950 M50 m5mmm50 m00E .m m m 0 3 H 0H 0 H0 H 05:02.5 .0 50503 50503 50503 50503 50503.0 m. m .0 x N. 555500 hp5500 50.5500 5.55500 50000w w. W «W m: nanomz poHp09o 50H990m 00509< hp m.m. w W Hfloe m m m. o u w s 1 0050.5 05030056 05» .Ho 5030330030 0008.5. 0503,0050 mo 908552 0055Hpcoo .. rm age 95 XVI. Health, Family Life and Safety This major area was fifteenth with only 38 questions. Arenac and Macomb Counties had the highest number of questions recorded while Berrien and Gratiot had very few. The category with some significance in this area dealt with “hobbies and individual interests.‘ Extension had probably been con- sidered a source of such information through the crafts and hobbies used in 4-H camps and similar programs. 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