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A4v‘ .v .12., . . :t .n ‘1‘. .ZYI-‘lifu I .x I | III“ III I III III Wm M II III I I III This is to certify that the thesis entitled MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL ISSUES presented by GWEN BETZOLD DADO has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for Agricultural & Extension Education Q/z: 5% Major professor A M- S ° degree in Date July 1, 1992 0.7639 MS U is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution I LIBRARY Michigan State Univerelty PLACE IN RETURN BOX to remove We checkout from your record. TO AVOID FINES return on or before date due. DATE DUE DATE DUE DATE DUE MSU le An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunlty InetMion amount MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL ISSUES BY Gwen Betzold Dado A THESIS Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Department of Agricultural and Extension Education 1992 N / .t. /~’ \j '\ ) \~(\ , 0 ' c/ ‘— \ Ai‘ /" ABSTRACT Michigan Agricultural Issues BY Gwen Betzold Dado Agricultural issues and concerns are most often identified by people within agriculture. However, consumers are affected by the food and fiber industry daily and should be included in identifying issues that affect this system. The researcher surveyed two groups of consumers the objectives were to identify consumer-type agricultural issues and to ascertain the differences and similarities between issues identified by consumers and issues identified by agriculturalists. The surveys were conducted using the Delphi process. There were two Delphis used, the three-stage Delphi participants determined importance of twenty issues that were identified via the review of literature; the four-stage participants identified their own twenty issues. This process allowed direct comparisons to be drawn between the issues identified by agriculturalists and the issues identified by consumers. The findings indicated there were eleven issues that consumers identified that were not issues identified in the review of literature. To my parents for giving me my agricultural roots. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Agricultural Experiment Station at Michigan State University provided financial support for this study. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Jack Elliot who served as my major professor. He provided encouragement and direction throughout my Masters program. Additionally he provided the knowledge and motivation to do better research. Thanks are also extended to the other two members of my graduate committee: Dr. Carroll (Jake) Wamhoff and Dr. Maynerd Hogberg. Their insightful questions strengthened the study. Special thanks are extended to Rebekah Hanson, Diane Verlinde and Mary Pierce for answering computer application questions. Sincere appreciation is given to members of the AER Research Class who critiqued various parts of the research. And special appreciation is given to my walking partner, Maureen Elliot, for all of her encouragement. Finally, a very special thank you to Rick Dado, my life's partner, for his unselfish assistance, love and encouragement throughout the study. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS lei-t Of TAD]... e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e List of Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHAPTER I . CHAPTER II INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . Purpose of the Study . . . . . . Objectives . . . . . . . . . . Definition of Terms . . . . . . . Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE . . . . . . . Introduction . . . . . . . . . Agriculturalist Issues . . . . . Consumer Issues . . . . . . . . Agriculturally Literate Consumers Implications of Issue Identificati Institutions . . . . . . . Instrument Development Review . . CHAPTER III . . . . . . . . . HRTRODOLOGY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Population . . . . . . . . . . . Sample Selection . . . . . . . . Instrumentation . . . . . . . . . Data Collection . . . . . . . . . Data Analysis . . . . . . . . . . Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHAPTER IV RESULTS OF THE DATA ANALYSIS . . . . . CHAPTER V . Respondent Characteristics . Data Analysis -Three-stage Delphi on Descriptive Statistics - Four-stage Three-stage Delphi and Four-stage Delphi comparison smry O O O O O O O O O O O O C Delphi esOseesse r Agr sefheseees SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS Summary . . . . Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . Recommendations . . . . . . . . . Implications . . . . . . . . . . 0 seceeeese g.- ssffesseee I: eefleeesso O 0 O O O O O set-lessees vii O H X ommuruu eeeewuupw P' H U! Hid o~e NNNNNNNN QQUIIbUUUU 105 105 105 106 107 107 108 APPENDICES BIBLIOGRAP NAMES OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . LETTER OF APPROVAL FROM THE MSU COMMITTEE ON RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EXTENDED LISTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COVER LETTERS & QUESTIONNAIRES THREE-STAGE DELPHI . . COVER LETTERS & QUESTIONNAIRES FOUR-STAGE DELPHI . . SUPPLEMENTAL DATA ANALYSIS THREE-STAGE DELPHI . . . . SUPPLEMENTAL DATA ANALYSIS FOUR-STAGE DELPHI . . . . H! O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 0 vi 111 112 113 115 128 143 173 203 LIST OF TABLES e e v ._ e g . _ - ; _ - e_ ; Q ; e _e Y Q s _ , ‘ __ : 0 I A. . SA: , ‘_ v i L '- 1 ' . I r O 1 I ' l . .1: '. l . ’ 9 _ - ‘, 'iu'ttfi . . . . 9 * e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e 8 08' ° _- -: {=1 1° ;’— 1— 0: .—1-°-- =_19l-2°_:2‘- :9 t' e 63 s!‘ s e e e e! eA ‘ 1 es 1 ‘ O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 12 27 34 . O . . C . . . O C . 35 Table 10 i ’1 441L114»! i'—°i-t°‘-_1 t0 L ‘-_:--‘"-'-110_;—: - ; " 0. 0.050. . C . . C . . . . . . 36 Table 11 Table 13 ‘ ;! .iifl111! - s :zeAer;’ ; o g- ;; ; ' esA: -_‘:: e ._..A:., Table 14 Table 17 2, MW, , . :;.A.,._:,»_ . ,- . - ,. . Table 18 ‘ _-, “up, . —:-.-.-:1- . ,2 __, A ._s Table 19 it mum! ; .0 ~1°i°!°_-t '- ° 1: .0 - 0r: 0.- WWW-.m 42 Table20 W 3! 'ltl.ll;! ‘- ° 11°i°1°_'- : ° 1? Table 21 ' 44 44 Table 24 t ; 'illiilLV-Qtv- ° 3-h°!°.-! - ' I; E:- .'- I 1"- : 2!! 1' 1‘). 'A" “L. 2. l OJ! O O O ‘ I O O ‘ .‘ O . O O _ 9‘: O_ . O O‘ ! O O .A. I a v O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 45 Table 25 e eeeeeeee e eeeee e e e 46 Table 26 Table 29 mi. 30 ‘ Table ’ L 31 Table 32 '11- 1 68 W t 2 mum: 2 '— .° '—- ‘- 9 - O _- - 1 1 ; 8 — " :_ 91° , _. ° 9" ° ° . mm, c d a v t O O O O O O O O O O O 70 Table 36 71 72 Table 38 . t %! altar»; 9 7-8-3“?! ; - :1 '-I.i. ". , ,5- . 09" - -_.-l:-. v e n O O O O O O O O O O O 73 Table 39 i9 mans! - .‘ -.~-r-,t°_'—! z - 1'— ‘—l.i " 1 9:9 — .1011! " 0 0.0:! O O O O O O O O O O O 74 Table 40 . =2 mam; ! ‘ .0 ; : 91° 2 a s 1 ; 0 t: ; ~ : " ! ° -_ , - " -. 0 5% 0. t e v O O O O O O O O O O O 75 Table 41 A t9! Cum '- '~ ° liml" B ' 1; 8311”,. '3éj. -.‘-8' ° ' Pi? '. n O O O O O O O O O O O 76 Table 42 Table 43 A t "-1 ”Hill! , P :_;!A.l..;l [- ° !- i1-'~ i9, 7- _- -, :111 Table 44 A._ til 91!. l! 3 .' :;..A.,’.:! ‘- ° 14-3“..,:.’J!--_ ° !_ :; ’!°. 131‘, -_ it} 1;” ' '-.’x;’ ; ' ’. 9t. 9°:tV-10-A ; ' 1’. 79 Table 45 '-l mini! ‘— 3 Bin-1d: 1 ° 1: 88 ’~ "5 .19 [:11 an 0. 0.91:! Table 46 t it mum—t 3 '——°i°t°.—!~ ° 1'— " 99-1:°.- '99:;111" Table 47 81 82 A 1! flunk! , ° -4'I'!°.;1 — ° !; ;'-_; r: ! -!'.! L, ', r, 99:! 83 84 84 85 86 87 89 99 105 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Three-stage Delphi participants' location within state of Michigan. 31 Figure 2 Four-stage Delphi participants' location within state of Michigan. 32 xi CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Michigan is an agricultural state. It ranks third or higher among all the states in the 0.8. in twenty different crops and ranks number one in the production of eleven commodities. Blueberries, bedding plants, dry beans, red tart cherries, pickling cucumbers, and potted geraniums are among the eleven number one commodities (Michigan Department of Agriculture, 1988). Michigan agriculture is diverse. Although only two percent of Michigan's people are employed in production agriculture, another fifteen percent of Michigan's citizens are employed in other parts of the food and agriculture system. The food and agriculture sector is the state's second largest employer (Futures Team, 1990). Even though agriculture plays a dominant role in Michigan's economic well-being, it is still not an esteemed area. "The public per- ceives agriculture as an outmoded industry....Its economic impact and investment opportunities are not well known (Futures Team, 1990). The public composes the other 83 percent of the population in Michigan that is not directly involved in the food and agricultural system. They are, however, very important to Michigan agriculture because they are the consumers of agricultural products. They also represent the majority of the population, and if the public does not understand the food and agricultural system it should be the agriculturalists responsibility to provide them with information. Currently in Michigan there are approximately 135 high school agricultural education programs. These agricultural programs are offering an agriscience-oriented curriculum. The curriculum uses pro- duction agriculture as a base, but extends it to integrate science con- cepts. These high school programs do an excellent job of educating young people, but due to increasing high school graduation requirements, fewer students have the opportunity to learn directly from these classes. 2 There has been movement in Michigan to incorporate agriculture into elementary curriculums. Through Farm Bureau's Ag in the Classroom, the Summer Institute for Educators offered by Michigan State University's Agricultural and Extension Education department, and three school systems that have employed an agricultural literacy coordinator, educating elementary students about agriculture and its importance in Michigan and in their lives is becoming a reality. Nonetheless, something should be done to work directly with today's consumers. Michigan Department of Agriculture's Futures Team in their report, “Reaching 2020," stressed the importance of the consumer; ”To thrive in the new century, Michigan food and agriculture industry must be driven by consumers demand, not by production capabilities." For example, even though Michigan dairy producers are very good at maintaining butterfat production, if consumers want low fat dairy products then producers must find some other use for this product or alter production strategies to meet consumer desires. Michigan Department of Agriculture along with other agriculturalists understand the need to know consumers and to understand their concerns. They also know that consumers' needs and wants change as lifestyles change. Yet, what has been done to identify consumers concerns? Currently in Michigan consumers do not play a large role in setting agricultural research agendas. Since agriculturalists know they need to serve the consumer, this is a situation that should be rectified. In this study consumers had the opportunity to identify agriculturally-related issues they felt were important. Using the Delphi technique, consumers, through a series of questionnaires, identified their top twenty issues. With a better understanding of consumers' concerns and expectations, agriculturalists will be able to focus their efforts in creating an agriculturally literate society and 3 in meeting the demands of this constituency. Burngas_ef_ths_§tndx The primary purpose of the study was to identify the concerns of Michigan people as they relate to the environment, food production and consumption, the use of Michigan land (forests, state parks, shorelines, etc.), pollution, and international food trade. 9913221121 1. To identify consumer-type agricultural issues that are of concern to Michigan people. 2. To ascertain differences and similarities between issues identified by consumers and issues identified from research. Definitien_2f_12rma nnlnni_zggnnigng A group process technique for eliciting, collating and generally directing informed judgement towards a consensus on a particular topic. (Delp, Thesen, Motiwalla, and Seshardri 1977). Dnnning The process of recontacting participants who failed to return their questionnaires. §yn§gnn§in_gnnggn_nnnnlg All members of the defined population are placed on a list for random selection and every k9 case is taken from the list. (Ary, Jacobs, and Razavieh, 1990) e.g., every sixth person is chosen after a random starting place is selected. 1n;gg§_g;nnn A group of individuals with certain common characteristics. In this study, the target group was Michigan residents. 4 mm Cooperative Extension Service Michigan Department of Agriculture Michigan, this abbreviation was often used by respondents to represent Michigan. SAESs State Agricultural Experiment Stations. MM This study had the following limitations: 1. Other than home addresses no demographics were collected. Consequently, there was no method of collecting gender or age of respondents. This could have affected the issues that were identified and the rankings. sensations 1. All respondents understood the questionnaire directions and truthfully completed the questionnaire. 2. High participant interest and commitment was assumed. QZEIZLEE The purpose of the study, research questions, definition of terms, limitations, and assumptions are discussed in Chapter I. Chapter II focuses on review of literature related to the study. Emphasis was directed towards techniques available for identifying issues. Chapter III describes the methodology used in this study. Results of data collection and analysis are outlined in Chapter IV. The summary of the study along with conclusions, recommendations, and implications are covered in Chapter v. CHAPTER II REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE This chapter contains an introduction that discusses historical information about production agriculture, agriculturalist issues, consumer issues as identified by a study and the media, agriculturally literate consumers and the need to share knowledge with consumers, implications of issue identification for agricultural institutions, and an instrument development review. W The production of food and fiber for the daily needs of humankind has traditionally been an issue of concern for all individuals. Prior to the monumental advances in product output made in the past century, almost every person was actively involved in decisions that directly affected their attainment of food and clothing necessary for survival. Production of these essential items has been channeled to a very small number of high-output individuals, today's agriculturalists. Output has increased substantially. In 1956 a farmer could feed him/herself and 19 others, in 1976 the number increased to 56, and in 1988 the number was up to 78 people fed by one farmer (1976 Yearbook of Agriculture and Michigan Department of Agriculture Press, 1988). The increase in the number of people fed per farmer was not due to increased acres farmed, but rather to increased productivity. Due to production agriculturalists' efficiency American consumers only spend 16 percent of their disposable income for food (1985 Yearbook of Agriculture). Currently in the state of Michigan, only two percent of the work force is actively involved in farming. Four-fifths of the working population has been nonfarm for over thirty years (Mawby, cited in Douglass, 1985). At the national level similar trends have occurred. In 1850 50 percent of the population consisted of farmers, in 1910 farmers made up 33 percent of the population, in 1950 16.5 percent of the population were farmers, and today two (2) percent of the population 6 is directly involved in production agriculture. As time and technology continue to widen the gap between production agriculturalists and consumers, consumers have and will become more removed from the decision process used to operate the production system. Today, peoples' concerns still include how they will fulfill their food and clothing needs. However, greater product supply has given them the opportunity to make choices on other issues since less time is spent on decisions about attaining food and fiber. Of the time spent by modern consumers on decisions relative to food and fiber issues, greater proportions of it are focused on special concerns not directly related to their attainment. Consumers are not only concerned that they can purchase enough products and the types which they prefer, but also that practices that lead to these products are humane and environmentally safe. '..., while the food supply in this country is recognized as high quality, concerns continue to grow about microbial and chemical contamination. The 0.8. food and agricultural system is challenged to provide food that is nutritionally balanced, safe, convenient, and affordable." (ESCOP Planning and Budget Subcommittee, 1991). As fewer people become directly involved in production agriculture, it is up to individuals within the agricultural system to educate the public about the food and fiber system. Such education is critical so decisions made by consumers', which may affect the entire agricultural system, are well informed and beneficial for all people. W The identification of issues relevant to the operation of an enterprise is vital to the enterprise's success (Campbell, 1983). Issue identification serves as the first step of a process known as issue management (Chase, 1977) which enables an enterprise to focus its resources in order to meet its long term objectives. No where is this concept more easily visualized than with corporate business. For 7 example, the enterprise of agriculture can survive no more easily without issue identification than can a Fortune 500 business. Suppose the long term objective of agriculture is to ensure an adequate supply of food and fiber at reasonable cost to consumers while allowing producers to make a living. Such an objective implies that both agricultural production groups and consumers have the opportunity and responsibility to set the agenda that guides the future direction of agriculture. Issues identified by each group should help write this agenda. Previous research (Schwartzweller, 1991) that identified problems and critical issues in Michigan agriculture involved two groups, Michigan State University Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and members of commodity groups (Table 1). These groups are directly involved with agriculture and understand its importance in Michigan. Extension agents listed three side effects of production agriculture, namely groundwater contamination, animal wastes, and agricultural chemical use, as the top issues facing agriculture. These people often serve as liaisons between agricultural producers and consumers, and, therefore, tended to prioritize issues that are most likely to cause tension between producers and consumers if not resolved. Conversely, as members of commodity groups, producers listed an issue that is directly related to the profitability of their farms for each of their top five issues. Producers were concerned about their viability such as costs (property taxes, farm equipment) or income (agriculture policy, farm management, international trade) issues. Both Extension agents and producers were concerned about issues which directly affected the success of their occupations. Perhaps other agricultural groups have been less biased about issue identification for agriculture. The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the State Agriculture Experiment Stations (SAESs) have prioritized agricultural issues in relation to research needs of the state and nation, respectively. (Table 2 and 3). (The complete list of issues may be found in Appendix B). Table 1 -' V :9 _— -~ -- 1:1,, 1°. .- ,, 1,92! ‘ 211—, '9 V A‘gl a. V l. - '1’: 1'2! 4 r 3‘ <1! -' _ _ - .All.li_.L. ' '-'- lfishuartzaellsrl_l2filli 1. Groundwater contamination. 1. Property taxes on land 2. Animal waste management. 2. Farmer involvement in ag. pelicy. 3. Safer use of pesticides and herbicides. 3. Management and survival of ‘ small farms. ; 4. Amount of capital needed to ‘ begin farming. 4. Farm/machinery equipment costs. 5. Consumer confidence in food 5. International trade agreements I _:?9°“ct°° _.- _ri, _ _ __ _ __ __ISE‘?EE¥tP’°l;__l _ Table 2 ee 1 e l e _e I Y 1 e 1 l e ‘11 g e e I! Cl 0 Integrated pest management Alternative agriculture systems Biotechnology Reforestation Food safety Animal waste Health impacts of consumer food choices Packaging safety Recyclable and biodegradable packaging S91¥9.V9'?9 919P933¥.__ a , or, 7 ,,, , 7 V _ -,,,fl, __ . 1 w______ SAES - 1990's Executive Summa __—____- ___—________—__—___—_— _. _._____—____, Protecting and enhancing water resources Compatibility of agriculture, natural resources, and environment Ensuring food safety Pest management strategies Biology 5 management of plant systems Improving competitiveness in global markets Sustaining forest, range, and related natural resources Biological and genetic enhancement of animal efficiency Genome mapping and genetic enhancement Impacts of new agricultural technologies on environment, people, and communities As expected, issues identified for research are broader in scope than are those listed by CES agents and commodity groups. Water quality, food safety, international agricultural trade, animal waste management, biotechnology and alternative agriculture are the issues in common as identified by these two agencies, yet there exists room for additional issue compatibility between these groups. It is suspected that the research objectives of these groups were to enhance overall productivity of foodstuffs while ensuring environmental preservation and human safety. With such goals, these agencies probably identified issues that are of greater appeal to consumers than those recognized by the earlier groups. Agriculture is a tremendously diverse enterprise. Achieving a unified voice to obtain a single list of critical issues that face the industry may be an impossible task. Even within an individual commodity group it is difficult to find consensus among all members. For example, dairy farmers from various regions of the 0.8. support widely different 10 forme of milk marketing legislation. With such disunity little can be done at all to improve the market situation since legislators do not know what producers want. If harmony were achieved within a commodity there still remains competition across commodity groups that each have their own agendas as to how to improve agriculture's, and, of course, their own situation. Perhaps the real problem lies in the definition different people use to describe successful agriculture. What is successful for one group of people is likely to be unsuccessful for at least one other group. Even though consensus on every issue may not be obtained, agriculturalists have achieved a level of productivity that certainly meets most people's definition of success. Such success has enabled large numbers of people to leave agriculture to pursue other interests. Issues of future importance to agriculturalists may not be solely based on product output or market price, but more on the ability to satisfy the desires of the people agriculture has freed, the consumers. If only people within agriculture identify issues critical to agriculture they may miss what consumers need and want. Susan R. Harlander, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, discovered this in one of her first biotechnology talks, "Obviously, the technical and scientific information that I felt most comfortable discussing were not issues of upmost concern to that audience.” Agriculturalists need to identify what their audience (the consumer) wants and focus attention towards those matters. Qansemer.laausa Decisions made by consumers may greatly influence how the agricultural system operates. Consumers directly affect what agricultural products are important by deciding what to buy. In attempts to meet changing consumer preference, agriculturalists introduce over 10,000 new products or product variations in grocery stores every year (1988 Yearbook of Agriculture). As lifestyles change, 11 consumers request that foods be packaged in convenient forms, be quick and easy to prepare, and promote good health. Consequently, nowhere are consumer decisions felt more strongly by agriculture than in the supermarket. Through direct activities (legislative action, county board membership, protests) or through buying decisions, consumers can also affect agriculture by requesting for change in production, distribution, or research practices. Producers often feel such requests are unjustified because consumers lack adequate knowledge about the issues. However, consumers buy the products and, therefore, must be listened to. Increasing consumer knowledge is something agriculturalists can do something about. None of the agricultural groups previously cited have included consumers when identifying their issue priorities. In order for agriculturalists to meet consumers' needs it is essential that their issues of priority be identified and incorporated into long term agendas. From a consumer's point of view, an "issue” is “any cultural trend that can become a matter for concern in our society - whether or not it is susceptible to legislative action" (Duke 1983 p.17). One study that focused on consumers' concerns was conducted by the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology at The Pennsylvania State University entitled, 'Citizens' View Point Priorities for the 1990s” (Willits, Crider, and Janota, 1990). In this study the question asked to consumers was, "Compared to what is being done now, what priority do you want the following areas to have in the future?" Evaluations were made relative to the current situation as perceived by each consumer: consequently, the responses did not necessarily reflect the absolute priority given to each issue in relation to other issues. Respondents indicated if an item should have "lower", "same", or ”higher“ priority in the years ahead (Table 4). 12 Issues a Higher Priority * Safe disposal of industrial 84.7 wastes * Programs to deal with teenage drug and alcohol 78.6 abuse * Safe drinking water 77.5 * Attention by government to 77.1 citizen concerns * Protection and conservation 73.6 of the natural environment * Programs to reduce teenage 71.6 pregnancy * Safe and efficient sewage 71.1 disposal * Preservation of farmland 70.1 * Repair of state roads and 69.8 highways * Safe use of agricultural 69.3 chemicals * Communication of 68.6 governmental decisions and policies to citizens * Protection from abuse for 67.3 children, elderly and handicapped * Job opportunities for youth 66.3 * Programs to deal with adult 65.0 drug and alcohol abuse Comparing the issue priorities identified by Pennsylvania citizens and issues identified by previously cited Michigan agricultural agencies and the SAESs, similarities include concern for natural resources, safe use of agricultural chemicals, and water quality/safety. Even though these consumers listed some non-agricultural issues as having priority, l3 seven of the fourteen higher priority issues identified in the Pennsylvania study (safe disposal of industrial wastes, safe drinking water, protection and conservation of the natural environment, preservation of farmland, repair of state roads and highways, and safe use of agricultural chemicals) are related to the agricultural industry and could be included in an agricultural research agenda. Of additional interest was the inclusion of “preservation of farmland” as a relatively high priority among consumers, but this issue failed to be included within the top five priorities of Michigan CES personnel, Michigan commodity groups, or SAESs directors. Besides controlled studies, where else can consumer issue priorities be found? Such issues may often be identified through media. ”It is well established in this country, the media set the public agenda. Newspapers, for example, are not very successful in persuading Americans what to think, but they are enormously successful in convincing us what to think about” (Campbell, 1983). One issue that was of upmost concern at Michigan State University in 1992 was the concept of animal rights. Headlines such as, "Balancing rights with research” (Ingells, 1992), ”Terrorist fire sends '0' research up in smoke" (Downs, 1992), "Activists strike MSU' (Nichols, 1992), and "Animal Rights Terrorists Make First Appearance in Michigan" (Michigan Farm News, Michigan Farm Bureau, 1992), were common occurrences after animal rights activists vandalized mink research facilities and faculty offices. Even though such headlines do not directly support one side of the issue or the other, merely mentioning the issue directs the reader as to what issues should be of public concern. Of course, this is exactly what the people who conduct such activity want: to set the public issues. A second issue, water contamination, also makes headlines. ”Forgotten but not gone” (Harrison, 1992) was an article concerning the burying of trash and its contamination of groundwater. Groundwater 14 contamination through trash, chemical use (agricultural and homeowner), and runoff receives media attention because of the human interest relevant to the story. A third issue, food safety, will occasionally make headlines. Possibly the most remembered food safety issue is the Alar scare that developed due to a CBS broadcast on 60 Minutes. This scare caused apple prices to drop almost 6‘ per box and the apple crop to decline 10$ because Alar could not be used. Consumers lost confidence in the apple industry for reasons not necessarily well-founded. Food safety involves the assessment of risk; media interpretation of such risk may not be the most scientifically-based advice. "We lost over $250,000 from that Alar scare alone," says Michigan farmer Roger Rropf (cited in Brooks, 1990). Other commodities have also been traumatized by media interpretation of risk: grapes, bananas, milk, and meat products. Perhaps the most influential effect on issue identification by the media is their choice of what news to report. Journalists are encouraged to look for the significant news story, report on the unusual, and to find the local angle while maintaining objectivity. However, when reporters write news stories they are making value judgements by selecting the news to report and how to report that news (Davidson, 1990). After such external molding of consumers' attitudes is it possible to obtain a list of consumer issues that truly reflect their own beliefs? Further still, is it possible for consumers to identify agricultural/natural resource issues and priorities that will benefit the agricultural system and society as a whole? Answers to these questions depend on consumers' ability to educate themselves in many areas so they can formulate their own opinions. Answers further require that the general public maintain an adequate level of agricultural literacy so issues are more than media rhetoric. 15 WW Knowing that consumers are bombarded daily with conflicting information about animal welfare, food safety, chemical use, and other agriculturally-related issues, what can be done to assist consumers in untangling the facts from the fiction? Is it important to increase the populations' knowledge of the food and fiber system? Yes. An agriculturally literate person is someone who understands the food and fiber system and its current economic, social and environmental significance to all people. With such knowledge consumers can not only make better informed personal choices about diet and health but can also wisely participate in establishing issues and setting policies for successfully meeting agriculture's objectives (Understanding Agriculture: New Directions for Education, National Research Council, 1988). John Pope emphasized the need for an agriculturally literate public, ' ...specifically, the real need for an agriculturally literate society is knowledge of the impact the industry, as a whole, has upon our daily lives. Whether economically, environmentally or socially, agriculture impacts us in many ways. The American people rely on agriculture for basic survival needs, for economic needs, and to protect the land. The interrelationship of these areas is why agricultural literacy is a basic need in America." (Pope, 1990) Becoming agriculturally literate means more than obtaining piecemeal bits of knowledge. I'People's inability to look at problems in their entirety, instead of seeing only isolated fragments, is especially severe in regard to agricultural issues“ (Mawby, cited in Douglass 1985). This should concern agriculturalists because when a person does not look at the whole, uninformed decision making follows. Consumers often establish priorities based on an incomplete understanding of the issues. Their misunderstandings are frequently due to a lack of information or one-sided information about the agricultural system. l6 One-sided ideas about agriculture are often generated by groups trying to promote specific agendas, usually in the name of money. J.R. Rosser in his book, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ABC's for a Better Planet,” (1991) used the alphabet to “inform“ young peOple about environmental concerns. A few examples from the book include, “C is for Cruelty-free products," where tests used to check products before selling are cruel to lab animals that can't fight back. "M is for Meat" where cattle are bad because they eat cereal grains that could be used to feed the hungry and expel methane gas that makes the greenhouse effect worse. The author recommends that the young child should eat less meat and eat meat from organically raised beef cows. Finally, 'P is for Pesticides” where pesticides are poisons, food in the grocery store may still contain pesticides, and pesticides kill animals that aren't pests. It suggests to the young reader that they buy only organically grown food. When young people are exposed to information not supported by scientific research, is it any wonder that there is confusion about what agriculture is and how it affects each and every person? Agricultural education is a vehicle that can be used to educate consumers about agricultural concerns. Currently, education occurs in some of our public school systems and through Cooperative Extension Service programs. These two avenues meet specific populations needs. However, if the agricultural industry wanted to make a greater impact in the consumer education arena, should it not begin as early as possible? In "Understanding Agriculture: New Directions for Education,” (National Research Council, 1988) it was recommended that "Beginning in kindergarten and continuing through twelfth grade, all students should receive some systematic instruction about agriculture.“ The idea behind working with young students first is that they have not necessarily developed their biases about agriculture and usually a young person takes information learned at school and shares it at home. By working 17 with young people agriculturalists could also have an impact on the child's parents and other household occupants. "Neither students nor Americans in general have a realistic view of agriculture's scope, career possibilities, or involvement with scientific progress and the use of sophisticated biological, chemical, mechanical, and electronic technologies.“ (National Research Council, 1988). Agriculturalists must take the lead in informing the public about agriculture because no one else will do it. Almost 20 percent of the labor force works for the agricultural industry in some capacity (Petrulis et al., 1987 cited in National Research Council, 1988), which leaves the other 80 percent uninvolved with the industry. Just as other business owners promote their products, so must people involved within agriculture promote their products and business. The more informed the public is, the more educated decisions they can make on issues that affect agriculture. "Few issues are of greater importance to the world than adequate food supplies, proper food use, and knowledge about the components of the agricultural industry. Yet today most people, including those in key positions of public decision-making, do not understand the complexities of America's food system; nor do they fully comprehend its relationship to human nutrition or its impact on international trade and relations." (Mawby, cited in Douglass 1985). The agricultural industry needs to work together to inform consumers about agriculture. However, before the work begins agriculturalists must know what consumers are thinking. Agriculturalists may find that consumers have different agricultural concerns than what the agriculturalists perceive. u- ,. -.< -' ::_e as: c. -o. ,-. '9 , _ _,a n: h u or: Duke, (cited in Minnesota Cooperative Extension Service, 1988), reports that systematically identifying, analyzing, and setting priorities among present and emerging public issues allows organizations to anticipate and capitalize upon opportunities in a transitional 18 society. Issues programming uses issue identification to determine program offerings. “Locating program origins in matters of wide public concern, issues programming identifies human problems in their own context....' “Issues programming focuses initially on the public in its broadest sense, which includes but extends beyond existing audiences and problems, and thus creates a more comprehensive source of program priorities“ (Minnesota Cooperative Extension Service, 1988). Using issues to give direction is not a new phenomena, “Issues programming exemplifies the original mission of the Land Grant university to serve the general public in its broadest sense.” (Minnesota Cooperative Extension Service, 1988). Involving the public in identifying research and education issues could generate more support for agriculture and agricultural research. With limited state funding for Agricultural Experiment Stations, CES and Colleges of Agriculture, it is imperative that the public's concerns be integrated with University research agendas. Common themes around the country include public pressure to downsize government spending. Because of their dependence on public money, universities and colleges of agriculture can certainly feel the economic heat. "The downward spiral of state budgets, the current recession, and general constraints on higher education funding in the 0.8. have resulted in a substantial loss of research power in the SAESs in the last 4-6 years, estimated to be as much as 20 percent. This loss comes at a time when changing farm programs, increasing international competition, and growing consumer and environmental demands place more pressure on 0.8. agriculture now than during any other time in modern history.“ (ESCOP Planning and Budget Subcommittee, 1991). An agriculturally illiterate and uninformed public is not likely to comprehend the necessity of agricultural research and improved food production. In this sense, agriculture is part of the entire arena of science, which experiences ever-increasing bouts of trashing from 19 individuals with science-phobia. These people are not necessarily stupid: on the contrary, they are merely scared: 'People...are overwhelmed by a technology from which there is no escape, and they really don't care much for having information stuffed down their throats" (Franklin, 1991). Such feelings suggest that educators must understand consumers very thoroughly before they can educate them with scientific information and logic. Furthermore, public support for additional research in agriculture and science will be impossible until science-phobia is addressed. Science-phobia is an issue that should be addressed because consumers are affected by it. Consumers see science affecting their lives everyday whether it is a new product on the grocery shelves or a medical breakthrough. Duke, (1983) stated, “People want to have a say in any action they think has a direct bearing on their lives." Following up on this, it is likely that people would want to have an understanding and positive input on the food and fiber system because it affects their lives on a daily basis. Having consumers identify their issues in regards to the food and fiber system could assist the agricultural industry in becoming proactive to their concerns rather than reactive. IniSIHEEBE.D§!§12£T§H§.B£ZL£! There are a variety of research methods that have been used to identify issues that involve a cross-section of the public. These methods include mail questionnaires, telephone surveys, face-to-face interviews, and the Delphi process. According to Dillman (1978), when selecting a research method one must consider four major areas 1) obtaining a representative sample, 2) obtaining answers to all the questions one wants to ask, 3) obtaining accurate answers, and 4) administering the survey. Fortunately, it is possible to obtain representative samples from completely listed populations and achieve high response rates from homogeneous samples for each of these methods. 20 These methods do differ, however, in other matters. When using the mail questionnaire respondents are less likely to give answers they think the researcher wants to hear (social desirability bias) and the cost per respondent is low. However, there is low success with open-ended questions, the questionnaire cannot be too long and the complexity must fit the expected respondents' abilities. An example of a study where a mail questionnaire would best fit is if a researcher wanted to survey all Agricultural Education majors who graduated from Michigan State University from 1960 through 1991. Flexibility of the mail questionnaire permits the population to be scattered among the fifty states and foreign countries. Telephone surveys have high success with open-ended questions, can be done quickly, and have little likelihood of other people helping the respondent with the survey. Disadvantages include the requirement of simple questions and high cost per respondent (depending on geographical area) in comparison to mail surveys. If a researcher needed to complete a study in a two week period of time the telephone survey would be the ideal method to use. Face-to-face interview advantages include the flexibility of using lengthier questionnaires, the questionnaire can be more complex and more easily handle open-ended questions, the interviewer can encourage the respondent to further respond to a question, and the interviewer may be able to identify evasion, unlike the mail questionnaire where the researcher must assume the respondent is being truthful. However, face- to-face has its distinct disadvantages: cost per respondent is high, social desirability bias is difficult to avoid, and interviewer subversion is a concern. If a researcher wanted to do a study with illiterate respondents the best method would be the face-to-face interview. The Delphi process is a written group interview technique for eliciting, collating, and generally directing informed judgement towards 21 a consensus on a particular topic (Delp, et al. 1977). Its advantages include the ability of respondents to generate the original lists of items related to the research problem, it provides anonymity so respondents cannot be dominated by other people as can occur in face-to- face group interviews, social desirability bias can be avoided, individuals who may not take time required for a group meeting may participate, a large heterogeneous group can participate, and like the mail survey, respondents can be geographically scattered. Disadvantages of the Delphi include its lengthiness, since it requires at least six weeks to gather and assimilate responses, it is difficult for people that have difficulty with reading or expressing themselves in writing, and although the Delphi is similar to a verbal group meeting, it lacks the advantage of instant communication. The Delphi is best used for five different situations 1) establishing goals and their priorities, 2) identifying the dimensions and the attributes of a problem 3) providing forecasts (identifying future develOpments and their effects), 4) clarifying positions and delineating differences between group members, and 5) gathering information from a group whose members do not meet face-to-face (either by choice or practicality) and wish to retain their anonymity. (Delp, et al., 1977). The Delphi process was selected for the current study because it allowed respondents to identify their own issues, unlike a typical mail questionnaire where the questions are selected by the researcher. Also, because the Delphi is used to come to a consensus on (an) issue(s), the sample required is smaller. Martino (1972) (as cited in Heath, Neimeyer, and Pedersen, 1988) indicated that a cross-section of 15 experts in a given field is a sufficient number of participants for reliable results. Furthermore, the Delphi technique generates useful information for further research, "the best available forecasting tool" (Heath, et al. 1988). 22 The Delphi technique has been recently used successfully by Elliot and O'Connell (1990) to identify FFA Issues in Michigan. Issues that agriscience educators thought were important for continued use and implementation in the new agriscience and natural resources curriculum were identified. Our research methods followed the format of this study since it exemplified procedures of a properly conducted Delphi. The Delphi technique was useful in achieving the purpose of the study, to identify the concerns of Michigan people as they relate to the environment, food production and consumption, the use of Michigan land (forests, state parks, shorelines, etc.), pollution, and international food trade. This study uses two Delphis, comparisons will be made between the consumers and agriculturalists to see if consumers and agriculturalists agree on what issues are of importance. CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY This chapter describes the survey procedures and research methods used in this study. The following specific topics are described: (a) population, (b) sample selection, (c) instrumentation, (d) data collection, and (e) data analysis. Escalation The population for the study was the people of Michigan as identified by Survey Sampling, Incorporated of Fairfield, Connecticut. This company was recommended by the Michigan State University Center for Survey Research (CSR). However, there were concerns about the list used. There were eight non-deliverables, several disconnected telephone numbers, and ten names on the list were deceased people (due mainly to women keeping their husbands' names in the telephone directory). Furthermore, due to age five respondents chose not to participate when contacted by phone after the initial postcard was not returned. mm Survey Sampling, Incorporated randomly selected three-hundred (300) Michigan residents. From this population the researcher systematically randomly selected 150 people. Systematic random sampling is when all members in the defined population are placed on a list for random selection, and e.g., every sixth person chosen after a random starting place is selected (Ary, et al., 1990). The sample was again systematically randomized to determine the sample for each of the Delphis. Seventeen (17) Michigan residents agreed to participate in the three-stage Delphi. Of that seventeen, fourteen (14) respondents were consistently returned their questionnaires. Twenty-three (23) Michigan residents agreed to participate in the 23 24 four-stage Delphi. Of that 23, 19 respondents consistently returned their completed questionnaires. Fifteen (15) respondents were determined to be sufficient for reliable results by Martino (cited in Heath, et al., 1988). However, thirty (30) respondents was determined to be sufficient by Delbecq, et al. (cited in Delp, et al. 1977). Inatnmantatten Two Delphis were conducted, a three-stage and four-stage The three-stage Delphi participants were presented twenty top issues as identified from current literature. The issues in the current literature were listed and tabulated to identify issues that were identified most often by the various agricultural groups. The four- stage Delphi participants identified their own twenty top concerns (Table 5). Utilization of two Delphis allowed comparison of the issues identified by consumers versus issues identified from research, which has previously not included consumers. The first questionnaire for the three-stage (research-identified) Michigan Issues Delphi was developed using research articles related to consumer issues. The first questionnaire for the four-stage (consumer- identified) Michigan Issues Delphi study was developed by following the recommended Delphi procedure (Delp, et al. 1977). In the four-stage Delphi study the first questionnaire used an open-ended statement to generate a list of issues. This first step is recommended because it allows participants time to think and reflect, and avoids undue focusing on particular ideas. The questionnaires that followed (numbers two, three and four) were developed by grouping like-responses from the prior questionnaire (Table 5). The goal was for the respondents to come to a consensus on the twenty issues. A Likert-type questionnaire design was used in questionnaires one and two (three-stage, research-identified) and questionnaires two and 25 three (four-stage, consumer-identified) that measured respondents' opinions towards Hichigan consumer issues. For questionnaire number one (three-stage) and number two (four-stage) the respondents' rating indicated the degree of importance they gave an issue. For questionnaire number two (three-stage) and number three (four-stage) the respondents' rating indicated the level of agreement they had for the issue. As the study progressed, the final questionnaire (questionnaire number three or four) was a dichotomous disagree/agree instrument (Table 5). The Chair of the University Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (UCRIHS) at Michigan State University received the UCRIHS application, explanatory letter, acceptance postcard, cover letter for the first questionnaires, the first questionnaires for the three stage and four stage Delphis. Approval was required because human subjects were involved in the research (Appendix 3). MM Hail questionnaires were used to collect data. The explanatory letter explained the Delphi process, indicated the importance of the data, assured confidentiality, requested participation, included a stamped postcard for acceptance or non-acceptance, and offered a summary of results upon request. It is crucial that the letters and questionnaires be well prepared because there is no individual contact with the Delphi technique (Delbecq, et al., 1975). A number coded questionnaire along with a cover letter and self- addressed stamped envelope were mailed during the spring of 1992 to the Delphi sample groups (Appendix D and 3). Telephone follow-ups (dunning) were made to non-respondents. Two or three more questionnaires were mailed to the three-stage and four-stage participants, respectively. The mailing dates for the second, third and fourth questionnaires followed a typical Delphi timeline (47 day process) (Table 6). 26 We lach questionnaire required different analyses. Questionnaire number one for the four-stage Delphi was analysed by sorting responses by issues. Like-issues were grouped. The issues having the largest number of responses constituted the list of issues for questionnaire number two. (Appendix B has the complete list of issues). Questionnaire number one (three-stage) and number two (four-stage) were analysed by using descriptive statistics. This questionnaire consisted of twenty issues. Each issue was ranked by the respondents on a four-point Likert scale. The four points were identified as l I not important, 2 I low importance, 3 I very important, and 4 I extremely important. The mean importance ranking was determined using SPSS/PC+. Using the mean, the issues were ranked by importance for questionnaire number two (three-stage) and questionnaire number three (four stage). from the comments made by respondents the issue statements were generated for questionnaire number two (three-stage) or number three (four-stage). Questionnaire number two (three-stage) and number three (four- stage) were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Each issue statement was ranked by the respondents on a four-point Likert scale. The four points were identified as l I strongly disagree, 2 I disagree, 3 I agree, 4 I strongly agree. The level of agreement mean was determined using SPSS/PC+. Questionnaire number three (three-stage) and number four (four- stage) were designed to have respondents come to consensus on the issue statements. The issue statements were presented on a dichotomous scale, the respondents either disagreed or agreed with the statement. Frequencies were the descriptive statistics used for this questionnaire. Specific questionnaire analyses is discussed in Chapter IV, Results of the Data Analysis. Complete data analyses is presented in Appendix r and C. 27 Samara: The three and four-stage Delphis had twenty issues to prioritize. The four stage Delphi included the following steps: 1) identify the issues, 2) determine the importance of each issue, 3) determine the level of agreement on each issue statement, and 4) confirm the level of agreement on each issue statement. The three-stage Delphi include the following steps: 1) determine the importance of each issue (issues were identified from review of literature), 2) determine the level of agreement on each issue statement, and 3) confirm the level of agreement on each issue statement. In each Delphi the issues statements were developed from comments made by respondents to the issues. The results of data analysis are outlined in Chapter IV. 28 Table 5 WWW Three-stage Delphi Four-stage Delphi (research-identified issues) (consumer-identified issues) Issues were identified from the es literature Open-ended question: "Please list at least five issues that you think are of concern to the people of Michigan.“ This was used to generate the list of issues W W tour-point Likert-scale used to determine importance of twenty issues. Three—stage Delphi had issues identified from current literature. Four-stage issues were identified from Questionnaire #1. Likert scale: 1 I Not important, 2 I Low importance, 3 I Very important, 4 I Extremely important. W W Pour point Likert scale determining level of agreement on the twenty A issues. The issues were ranked according to importance as determined ‘ by the previous questionnaire. Likert scale: 1 I Strongly disagree, 2 I Disagree, 3 I Agree, 4 I Strongly agree. W W Two-point scale (disagree/agree) was used on the same twenty issues K to reach consensus 29 Table 6 Win}. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. Develop problem statement Select respondents Contact respondents Develop questionnaire 3-fl, 4-il (*) Type and send out Response time Dunning time (if used) Analysis - questionnaire 3f1, 4-il Develop questionnaire 3-#2, 4-f2 Type and send out Response time Dunning time (if used) Analysis - questionnaire 3-#2, 4-#2 Develop questionnaire 3-i3, 4-53 Type and send out Response time Dunning time (if used) Analysis questionnaire 3-I3, 4-#3 Develop Questionnaire 4-#4 Type and send out Response time Dunning time Analysis of questionnaire 4-#4 Prepare report 3 and 4 Type report and send out March 1 February March 5 March 7 April 3 April 8 April April April April April April April April April May May May May HEY May May May May May 5 6, 8 11 12 18 19 2O 21 26 9,10 13 14 15 22 23, 24 27 28 29 7 , 22 (*) 3 I 3-stage Delphi 4 I 4-stage Delphi CHAPTER IV RESULTS OF THE DATA ANALYSIS The primary purpose of this study was to identify the concerns of Michigan people as they relate to the environment, food production and consumption, the use of Michigan land (forests, state parks, shorelines, etc.), pollution, and international food trade. The specific objectives included: 1. To identify consumer-type agricultural issues that are of concern to Michigan people. 2. To ascertain differences and similarities between issues identified by consumers and issues identified from research. The data analysis was based on the responses to the Likert-type questions in each questionnaire of the three-stage and four-stage Delphis. Questionnaire number two consisted of twenty issues and questionnaires three and four consisted of twenty issue statements developed from comments made on questionnaire number two. The responses to the Likert-type questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and means. The results of the study are presented in four sections. The first section is respondent characteristics. The second section is the data analysis for the three-stage Delphi. The third section is the list of issues identified by the four-stage Delphi-participants and the data analysis for the three questionnaires. The fourth section gives a side- by-side comparison of the three-stage and four-stage Delphi issues and their importance ranking. 3O 31 WW Respondents were located throughout the state of Michigan. Each Delphi had participants from each region of the state. 1 Three-stage Delphi patticipents 32 Four-stage Delphl partlclpants - e-t In the three-stage Delphi questionnaire number one respondents were asked to rank how important each issue was by using a four point Likert- scale. For analysis purposes, each response was assigned a corresponding value, 1 through 4. Table 7 is the key for the Likert scale questions in questionnaire number one. 33 Table 7 MW xx! MI Mot important 1.00 - 1.49 LI Low importance 1.50 - 2.49 I v: Very Important 2.50 - 3.49 I RI Extremely Important 3.50 - 4.0 The respondents were asked to rank level of importance of each issue (Table 8). They were encouraged to write comments indicating their reason for giving a specific importance level. The means for each issue then was used to give rankings to the issues for questionnaire number 2. In Questionnaire number one the respondents ranked six issues at low importance and twelve issues as very important and two issues as extremely important. The respondents ranked property taxes and saving farmland as the extremely important issues. (Table 8). 34 Table 8 WWW Walnut... ISSUE MI LI VI RI 1. Food safety 3.43 2. Greenhouse 2.64 effect 3. Clean air 3.29 4. Groundwater 3.36 5. Property 3.54 taxes 6. Landfills 3.15 7. Use of MI 3.38 land 8. Acid rain 2.23 9. Attracting 3.00 tourists 10. Lawn 2.57 pesticide use 11. Agricultural 2.86 pesticide use 12. Organic 2.64 farmingi 13. Genetic 2.31 1 engineering 14. International 2.38 food trade 15. Recycling 3.21 16. Food from 2.79 producer to your table ; 17. Animal wastes 2.46 18. Animal 2.29 rights/ welfare 19. Saving 3.57 farmland _ 20. Wetlands,“ W2.43 35 Respondents had the opportunity to write comments about each issue on the first questionnaire to assist in establishing the issue statement for questionnaire number two. All comments from the three-stage Delphi questionnaire number one were grouped into positive, negative, and neutral categories (Tables 9 - 28) Positive 1 11 Negative 5 56 "“113— 33 TOTALS 9 100.0 Min I see no safety problems with food. W Use of too much preservatives. Seafood and poultry marketing problems are possible exceptions. Too many chemical grown foods, nothing is good to eat anymore, foods are making people ill. Safety of our food affects us all- example - there is a problem when we are not to eat fish from Lake Michigan. If foods are not kept at high standards, disease follows. Neutral A basic requirement for our people - should be a "given." Should be some regulation. Keep state government out. Safe food is important because it affects all people. 36 Table 10 Positive Negative Neutral The key to protecting our whole environment is protecting the ozone ayer. mm I don't believe in it. An ”over-hyped“ issue, being addressed (as it needs to be) at international level. Still not sure how much effect it has on world? The foods are grown too fast this question reverts to the first question. Neutral Important today primary at the research level. Don't really know if this is a problem! Needs more study. Should be handled on a national basis. Table 11 Positive Negative Neutral mm Existing programs largely adequate. Cleaning the air is part of protecting the ozone layer. 37 mm There is too much regulation. For our health we need clean air, too much pollution. Choking on foul smells. W Depends on many factors beyond state - MI must do its part to legislate and enforce. Need more checks and balances. Common sense tells us we need to work on maintaining clean air. Should be handled on a national basis. All states should have California standards for cars. Table 12 Positive Negative 3 33 I Neutral 6 67 I TOTALS 9 JL100.0 82933.11: Polluted. Existing programs based on sparce [sic] data and low understanding of risks. Too many instances of wells being contaminated. Too much fertilizing. 119.9331 I don't know much about the problem. Essential for beautiful growth as long as it is not contaminated. Not enough known - a potentially huge issue. Analysis of private drinking water wells for contaminants should be mandatory. Contaminated groundwater should be the responsibility of the polluter. Need more checks and balances. Important because it can affect people without their knowing it. 38 Table 13 of Comment Positive ive Neutral TOTALS Kantian They are too high can't afford. Keep going up each year. Could be lower. Too high added to all other taxes. There must be limits set - local taxing authorities too independent. Increases in state equalized values must be balanced by total property tax base growth. Taxes should be spent more wisely. MILE]. Should be replaced by state income tax increase so every one who works would pay. Instead of raising property taxes, budgets should be cut. We need property taxes to maintain schools - but let's stop waste. No opinion. Table 14 Positive ive Neutral TOTALS o Nave been in state for years. 39 Elflliill Some problem areas, but important largely in political context - lack of public understanding and support for national program development. Incinerate all waste and stop damaging rich lands. Relate to groundwater issue. we need to find other ways to dispose with waster materials. 119333.31 Landfills are necessary, but I would like to see more incinerators that are environmentally safe. Need more checks and balances. Need close regulation now. Table 15 —! mam: » 3 i‘-°i°:°.:2- ° 1: --_- ,-- - r 1 9-.2 an. Positive Negative W1 29.11.311.11 I like to use them to get away from the fast pace of life. These areas should be kept as they are - we now have plenty of condos, golf courses, etc. Important to maintain these natural sites of beauty for natives and tourists. W MI does not keep parks up. Too much regulation. Problems with private land development more than public management. Should be open to all and not a few with sufficient supervision. Overuse and irresponsible use by ATV's etc. Should be better policed, access limited. man]. I have no complaints. 40 Table 16 Positive Negative m1 V Always been acid rain, again too much regulation. Existing programs largely adequate. I don't see that this is a problem in Michigan. Not sure if it isn't just a natural occurrence, need more education on it. mm Clean air and protecting the ozone will help acid rain also. Don't know enough about it. Similar to clean air. Still not sure how much affect it has on the world. Table 17 Positive Negative 39“" _ As industry declines tourism may be our best source of revenue. Helps keep business alive, also brings tax money to state in form of sales tax. 41 we need to advertise more in other states - we have much to offer. Need their added revenue since manufacturing base is being eroded. W MI has very few things to offer tourists except fishing, hunting and boating. Cost too much. Issue more a problem of excessive tourist activity in sensitive areas. The middle class people do not get to enjoy profits from it. State needs strong input to economy from outside - our infrastructure for supporting more tourist trade seems to be diminishing (roads, rec land). Table 18 Positive l Negative I 3 33 “ Neutral 3 33 TOTALS 9 100.0 19.11511: Need something to take care of moles. Relatively small problem - should lawn/tree service companies be more accountable to owners. Not perceived to be a problem. manila Use what I want. Not good, but what can you do if you want a beautiful lawn the land is so stripped of all nutrients. We are sacrificing our groundwater for beauty of lawns - need more regulations. 3332231 This is a control issue, much broader than just pesticides. Pesticides should be environmentally safe. 42 Needs checks and balances. Table 19 Positive 2 25 Negative 4 50 Neutral 2 25 _iT°T“L3 8 100.0 zeaitizs Been used for years no effect on humans. Not perceived to be a problem. negatixe I think we're using it too much. Killing animals as well as people. Pesticide residuals should be tracked for their flow/entry into food/plant chain, groundwater, etc. We are sacrificing our groundwater - need more regulations. Ellilll Much progress has been made, but changing conditions will keep it as important issue. Also should be environmentally safe. Table 20 y 7-, must-1 1 . ::.A.,..:,: . ,: _»_ ; "s . , ,u ,." . . u as22rdins_t9_29aitiz2i_nggasixei_2r_nsutrali i__m£n!:EJEEEEL_nPIWW__"Wm¥;m_~,_i_a_m_:_ihiaar Positive 2 25 [p Negative 1 I 12 ’ Neutral 5 gap f‘ m... 8 mm- 43 3.9.1132: Lovely, the food tastes better and is much better for you. A good alternative to pesticide use. man If this is an issue at all, it is because there is not a common understanding of what it is. Mattel Not applicable. Development as alternative means of farming should be encouraged - Can it be productive? Works fine on a small scale. Needs more study - hard to do on a large scale. It should be investigated to make it economical. Table 21 Positive Negative Similar to organic farming important to develop better, more resistant, more nutritious, more productive strains. Great if it helps agriculture or medicine More Negative Don't fool with nature Neutral Do not know enough about subject. One of those issues that will take much time, and it is important that solutions not be rushed - nor denied. Don't know enough about it. 44 I am not clear on this issue. Table 22 ’! fillillf ' .' "PA'1.:! 7- ' 1‘- ;Iu—T I l '3 1'. 'l- °°£ .. '1: Positive Negative Neutral 2.93M Can be important to economy; need to develop better marketing programs. Good idea if more countries had a food surplus. we need to work on improving restrictions on imports and exports. Mutts]. I believe in free trade. Only in the sense that all trading systems can be improved to lower costs and improve efficiencies. Take care here first to feed hungry people. Then international trade is fine. Give our surpluses to starving countries. Table 23 Positive Negative Neutral Good ideas, a savings and wouldn't be filling all our landfills that already full. 45 Important not only to do it, but to do it only where it makes sense. Pine, then maybe the condition of the land will get better so gardens, lawns and plants will grow better. Benefits everyone: should have more mandatory programs. very necessary since landfills are filling up. A good way to clean environment and start new business and re-use products over again. I think Michigan is doing a better job than most states. It should start now. Statewide standards should be set. Nmtize Do not like it. Table 24 Positive 3 37 I Negative I 1 I 13 would like to know but have to keep government out of it. we need to know what all is done to food before we get it. Can't hurt. mm It does not move fast enough it's been stored up for so long when you get it it rots after a few hours. Neutral How it does is much less important than the fact that it does reliably and safely. No complaints. I feel our schools do a good job on this issue. Regulations should guide the public sector. 46 Table 25 ’. ; 1 0111,11;— 9 - : ~ 919 1 0. : I - 0 1 a: ; ; - 5— '~ *2 : - ° 1 1 ‘11 Positive 1 12 Negative I 2 I 25 I "J": _ i a“ a , -151 a- _ _ _ f3 g ,« TOTALS 8 1100191, ) Letitia Animal wastes has been used for years for fertilizer to grow feed for animals. mm Years ago we used manure, but now it's full of pesticides, too, because of the food they eat. Find some way to dispose of it so it will not come in contact with food. EQESESI Issue related to food processing would seem to be more important than on farm. Under proper health and safety codes, shouldn't be an issue. I am unfamiliar with this issue. No opinion. Could be used as natural fertilizer as is done in Europe. Table 26 Positive . I Negative 1 13 J Neutral 3 TOTALS Bantu! People are more important than animals. 47 Another ”over-hyped“ issue: animals are to be respected, but they are still subservient to man. we need to stress human rights over animal rights. Let's worry about human rights. men They have just as much rights as people. m Proliferation and inadequate care of pets more a problem than agricultural or research use. Be kind to animals if you take care of them as you wish to be taken care of. OR if not overdone. Necessary. Table 27 ! .4111!!! - .' ;:.A.!..:! f- O !' ;;.: ‘- 1°. -.1Ll:-l'. '_ '_'l'-°_ Positive 4 45 Negative I 2 22 _ , W_ , __ , W all, _ 33 _ . , a w a _ mo mum we need farmland for food. Good insurance as well as good stewardship. To have food you must have farmland. Help the farmer to make farming profitable. 1199.432! Taxes and builders are forcing farmers out of business. Put all farmland in use and there will be no hungry people, instead of paying farmers not to farm. Neutral Making existing land more productive is just as important. without farmland cannot feed people but should be left to small farmer. 48 As of now we produce all we need - but we must think of the future. Table 28 Positive Negative "'trl, , may: Needed for the survival of many wildlife. We need a place to clean water for use in food production and drinking. They must continue to be protected and preserved. mun Do not believe in wetlands to save animals. Too many regulations. Do not like animal rights people or save the earthers. Still another “over-hyped” issue; need some common sense in application of defining and regulating wetlands. Use common sense in declaring wetlands. Wetlands in the middle of city doesn't make sense. neutral Some people still aren't convinced of the value of wetlands, but spurious definitions have damaged credibility of preservation efforts. Don't know enough about it. In the three-stage Delphi questionnaire number two respondents were asked to rank the level of agreement for each issue by using a four point Likert- scale. For analysis purposes, each response was assigned a corresponding value, 1 through 4. Table 29 is the key for the Likert scale questions in questionnaire number two. 49 Table 29 1.00 - 1e49 1.50 - 2.49 2.50 - 3049 Table 30 identifies the agreement participants had toward each issues. The issues are listed in importance order as determined by questionnaire number one. ‘ The only statement respondents strongly agreed with was that farmland needed to be preserved. The respondents disagreed with the statements made about the “Greenhouse Effect", animal waste usage, and acid rain. Due to their comments on the "Greenhouse Effect," acid rain, and organic farming the questions were reworded for the final questionnaire. 50 Table 30 Thrss:ssa9a_nalnhii__9uassi9nnaira_£2_:_Lsxals_2f_agraaman§ Issue Statement SD D A. 8A l.*** Farmland must be preserved now and 3.64 in the future. 2.*** Property tax reform should be 3.42 introduced 3.** Food safety should be improved 2.93 even if it means higher food prices. ¢ 4.** It is important to maintain 3.29 ‘ Michigan lands as natural sites of beauty for MI natives and tourists. ; 5.** Groundwater quality may be a more 3.23 serious problem than currently believed because of insufficient knowledge. 6.** Michigan should increase air 2.79 ’ quality through government regulation. 7.** Recycling programs within MI 3.21 should be more uniform. 8.** Michigan should research possible 3.43 permanent alternatives to landfills. ‘ 9.** Michigan needs to increase efforts 2.86 to promote tourism. 7 lO.** Michigan farmers should decrease 2.79 l their use of pesticides. ll.** Educational programs should be 2.57 created to inform consumers about how food is produced. 1 “l2.**0rganic farming is difficult to do 2.5 on a large scale. ‘l3.**The “Greenhouse Effect" is an 2.36 overblown issue. l4.** Lawn owners should decrease their use of pesticides/fertilizers. lS.* Animal wastes should be used only on crops grown for animal consumption. Wetlands need to be protected and preserved because they are needed ‘9’ t“! 'PFV1Y‘¥_9§ “§¥91¥??- 51 Table 30 continued WWI-ELM Issue Statement SD D A SA l7.* International food trade is 2.79 important to all nations' economies. 18.* People need to be better 3.08 informed about genetic ‘ engineering, 1 l9.* Animals need to be 3.38 respected however, we need to stress human rights over animal rights. ‘ ‘20.* Acid rain is not a problem 1.77 in MI. *Quest onsnfi , 7?, an? W0 were rewor-e- ‘ot guestronnaire nafiger t as due to comments made on Questionnaire number two. *** - Extremely important issue ** - very important issue * - Low importance issue Respondents had the opportunity to add comments to each issue statement to clarify their position. Comments were grouped into agree, disagree, and neutral categories. The following lists are the comments made by respondents to each issue statement on questionnaire number two. 1. Parmland must be preserved in order to have food now and in the future. BSIQQ All open land and less urban sprawl. Farmers must be left alone by local and State government. He should be able to farm his land or sell if he wants. All lands must be preserved for the future. Developers must be controlled. The tax structures, transportation systems, etc. that promote this ”chew it up - spit it out- leave it behind" process must change ngg. S2 2. Recycling programs within Michigan should be more uniform. Mm And research new uses of recyclables. I think we don't have enough recycling drop-offs in Michigan. Recycling must become a way of life and can become a major industry for us if we can get politicians to stop promoting big budget incinerators. Rim Recycling programs are not working now costing more than backers thought it would. Uniformity doesn't seem to be a relevant goal, although more recycling should be done. Neutral Individual communities may have unique problems/situations - recycling most effective on a local basis and should have local citizen support. 3. Michigan should increase air quality through government regulation. BQIIQ This is important but it should be done on a federal level for uniformity. Although the need for many new regulations is questionable. Dilifllflfl No more government regulations. They waste too much tax payers money. It is not the function of government to protect the profits or interest of commercial entities at the expense of poisoning the private citizen. National/EPA issue. Eflnifill It would be better if air quality was everybodies responsibility voluntarily. It is the function of business to adapt. 4. Groundwater quality may be a more serious problem than currently believed because of insufficient knowledge. BRIE: Insufficient knowledge - you are right. we must devote more of society's financial resource to understanding ecosystems and environmental consequences. 53 m I've only heard of a few isolated instances. It may be better also. 5. Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills. Bares Someway to totally get rid of the mess. Do we know just what is landfills doing to our lands. Although, I'm not sure "Michigan“ is the proper agency or what is meant by permanent. ‘ With almost lifestyle change, 958 of all products can be recycled or composted. Recycling businesses located in MI can employ many skilled and unskilled workers. Recycling waste products are much more easily dealt with (one at a time) than the mixture produced by incinerators. Mam I am sorry I cannot trust members of government to research alternatives fairly. They would be out for personal gain. 6. Food safety should be improved even if it means higher food prices. ELIAQEQI Food is safe now. we have the highest food quality in the world now. I think our food is safe not too much improvement needed. mm]. Food safety is extremely important but the price should be reasonable for everyone. How this is approached is critical. LISA and IPM programs must be promoted and enforced through regard and penalty systems.... However....[sic] Food safety is already quite high; are additional costs really warranted? 7. Property tax reform measures should be introduced. ham Agree but property tax reform does not mean increased taxes, but tax dollars are more wisely spent. 54 Tax should be entirely on wages for schools so all who work pay. Too much money is wasted. People are being forced out of their homes now because of high property taxes. Tax structures need to be changed so that private citizens and small businesses are not sacrificed to the interests of big business. Farmers should not struggle while food-processing conglomerates have stock- splits. Kestrel I don't understand enough about taxes to answer. No opinion. 8. Michigan farmers should decrease their use of pesticides. 59:31 Harmful pesticides. we should be able to find other ways than pesticides. Other means should be used regularly to avoid these problems. And consumers must be re-taught that an occasional worm in sweet corn is OK and that tomatoes and apples do not get better because they're “picture perfect.“ This is only fantasy as long as (Department of Agriculture personnel control the MDA for the benefit of chemical companies). Disagree Again more government intervention. 11931131 Quantity alone is not the relevant measure. 9. Michigan needs to increase efforts to promote tourism. Lam As industry decreases as a source of revenue it must be picked up somewhere. Michigan has to clean up state to get more tourism. Michigan should look at other states that increased tourism without raising taxes. 21:19:23 But not if it includes the use of recreational ORV's. 55 mm]. Michigan has more than its share of tourism we need to keep up what we have. Tourism is important but the year round residents need employment first. 10. Lawn owners should decrease their use of pesticides/fertilisers. 59:21 If harmful The average property owner is probably ill-informed and careless in use - most of which is for questionable aesthetic purposes. Alternatives should be more available through education, and price. Dim why should I. Give me proof. This should not be accomplished through regulation aimed at consumers - except for very strict public notice posting requirements. mm). Most lawns should not need a great deal of pesticides. 11. It is important to maintain Michigan lands (forests, state parks, shorelines, etc.) as natural sites of beauty for Michigan natives and tourists. 59:31 For the sake of our childrens' children and for Michigan. I am a Chippewa Indian I feel all lands should be kept natural. And, more importantly, as sites for educating the general public about the environment. Dim MI has had a chance for years to do this. They seem to never finish what they start. Funnel money to other projects. 12. wetlands need to be protected and preserved because they are needed for the survival of wildlife. 59:33 And other reasons. Duck populations are down by 338 over the last 20 years because of 56 developmental destruction of wetlands - and the NRA has no comment. why? As it applies to true, 3353531 wildlife habitat wetland, not wetlands as currently defined by DNR. 9113922! wildlife do not need all of the wetlands to survive. Some do more damage to the land than people think. I feel that DNR goes overboard with wetlands. we do not need another Chegon owl situation. 13. Mducational programs should be created to inform consumers about how food is produced. BQISI I agree we need to know what goes into our food and bodies. we operate a roadside market and are shocked, amazed and very worried at how far out of touch most consumers are. Many seem to believe that food is somehow manufactured like automobiles or tupperware. Inseam Mot necessary. Another program that does not produce anything. I'm sure most people know- Our schools do a good job here. W Quality, safe food at a reasonable price is what consumers want. 16. The greenhouse effect is an overblown issue. M I do not believe in the Greenhouse effect. Greenhouse effect is not an issue, the issues have to do with antropogenic [sic] contributions and proposed mitigation/control measures. ELEAQIQS Everything living depends on a balance. No! But we do need to know more about it. Its [sic] a noticeable problem that needs additional education. Only if you are a rich, old, white male. S7 15. International food trade is important to all nations' economies. ham They'll most likely import it if they don't export it. If it is fair trade to v.3. Probably "most" nations' economies. Some foods aren't grown in all countries with the quality that is marketable. If we do not seize the opportunity offered by current negotiations of GATT and NAFTA to help developing nations clean their environments, improve their workers conditions and their general standard of living - we will very shortly lose ours. Dianna I feel the USA -it is time to tend to our people and keep our trade as little as we need, until we are the land of the free once again. Neutral Not necessarily important to all nations, depending on their particular supply/demand balance. 16. Animal wastes should be used only on crops grown for animal consumption. Dinars: Animal waste is not harmful as fertilizer. Is used now. To my knowledge it doesn't do a great deal of harm. HIHSEII More information needed on this question. Animal wastes must be used with as much knowledge and caution as any fertilizer. l7. Acid rain is not a problem in Michigan. 59!!! Not a high priority problem. 2115912! Yes, this is worldwide no state is problem free. If it is a problem for our neighbors in Ontario, New York, etc. (and it definitely Lg) and we produce it (and we do), then it Lg our problem. 58 Neutral Don't know if it is or isn't. N.A. Do [sic] not bother me. Substantial control efforts already in place, but monitoring should continue. Not sure don't read to [sic] much about acid rain in Michigan. 18. Organic farming is difficult to do on a large scale. 59232 I would agree but know of no studies. Dim It is done in other countries. Expensive but not difficult For most of the 20th century companies producing pesticides and fertilizers have vastly outspent other agencies in assisting farmers in many ways to get them accustomed to a chemical-based production system. Until LISA programs receive equal amount of support, most people will continue to believe that large scale organic farming is not only difficult, but impossible. And with (certain politicians and Department of Agriculture personnel) working on behalf of the chemical companies so diligently.... “SHEIII Farmers have used organic farming for years. They should be able to use both organic and pesticides. I have no answer. No opinion. 19. Animals need to be respected, however, we need to stress human rights over animal rights. 39:11 God put animals on earth for peoples use. As long as animal species aren't eradicated but kept in balance. Animals should not be treated badly, but they should not interfere with human rights. This is true, humans should come first. I do not believe in “Animal Rights," but I do brake for animals. It is impossible to legislate against brutality and against destruction of habitat. If we do not, gggn, make a virtual religion out of living in spiritual and physical harmony with other animal species (which does no; 59 mean we can't eat them), we are doomed. mm]. Please elaborate. 20. People need to be better informed about genetic engineering. 59:22 People aren't aware of what it is or how it could be used. Me too, but TV news, The Free Press, wJR & Detroit News, Time, Newsweek, etc. aren't going to help much are they? (underlines were not included). - m1 Most people would not understand if so informed. Do not know enough about it. Studies should be done about it. I know nothing about this. The majority of people don't understand how it works. Questionnaire number three was designed to confirm the level of agreement on each issue and to have the group come to a consensus on the level of agreement for each issue statement. Table 31 lists the number of respondents who disagreed with the statement and the number that agreed with the statement. It also includes the percentage of respondents that disagreed or agreed. Issue statements on farmland preservation, maintaining Michigan lands as natural sites of beauty, and stressing human rights before animal rights received the highest levels of agreement. Statements concerning government regulation of air quality, educational programs concerning how food moves from the producer to the consumer, organic farming on a large scale, and animal waste usage received low levels of agreement. Table 31 60 I II“. Statement Disagree (N) Agree (N) 1,eee Farmland must be preserved now and in the future. 1 13 92.9 2.eee Property tax reform should be introduced 10 90.9 3.** Food safety should be improved even if it means higher food prices. 50.0 4.** It is important to maintain Michigan lands as natural sites of beauty for MI natives and tourists. 13 92.9 5.** Groundwater quality may be a more serious problem than currently believed because of insufficient knowledge. 21.4 11 78.6 6.** Michigan should increase air quality through government regulation. 64.3 35.7 7.** Recycling programs within MI should be more uniform. 21.4 11 78.6 8.** Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills. 21.4 11 78.6 9.** Michigan needs to increase efforts to promote tourism. 21.4 11 78.6 10.** Michigan farmers should decrease their use of pesticides. 21.4 11 78.6 11.** Educational programs should be created to inform consumers about how food is produced. 10 76.9 23.1 12.** Organic farming could be accomplished on a large scale. 53.8 46.2 13.** The "Greenhouse Effect" is an issue of concern in Michigan. 50.0 50.0 14.** Lawn owners should decrease their use of pesticides/fertilizers. 28.6 10 71.4 61 Table 31 continued Issue Statement Disagree t Agree (N) (N) 15.* Animal wastes should be 9 69.2 4 used only on crops grown for animal consumption. 30.8 16.* wetlands need to be 2 15.4 11 protected and preserved because they are needed for the survival of wildlife. 84.6 17.* International food trade is 3 21.4 11 important to all nations' economies. 78.6 18.* People need to be better 4 28.6 10 - informed about genetic engineering. 71.4 19.* Animals need to be 1 7.1 13 respected however, we need to stress human rights over animal rights. 92.9 20.* Acid rain is a concern in 6 42.9 8 Michigan. 57.1 *** - Extremely important issue «a 3 Very important issue * 8 Low importance issue On questionnaire number three respondents were instructed to add a comment to clarify their responses ij_ng§g§g. By this stage most respondents had come to a decision as to whether they agreed or disagreed with each issue statement, they were aware that further discussion would not be used in another questionnaire. Comments are grouped into agree, disagree, neutral categories. 1. Farmland must be preserved in order to have food now and in the future. . Just where would our grown food come from without farmland? You must get back to farming and elimenate [sic] hothouse grown foods. nasal Unless productivity outpaces consumption. Mard question no new regulation from state gov. 62 2. Property tax reform should be introduced. bares Reform does not mean increased taxes. llnilll No opinion. Taxpayers should have a [sic] input on how they are taxed and how money is spent. "0t sure e 3. Food safety should be improved even if it means higher food prices. 21:39:11 Stop using chemicals to grow foods. It may reduce the costs. mm Do not see it as a major problem. There is enough regulations now to cover food safety. Our foods are fairly safe except for our mggggy Food is safe now. 4. It is important to maintain Michigan lands (forests, state parks, shorelines, etc.) as natural sites of beauty for Michigan natives and tourists. 59:11 Very important not just for tourists and beauty but someday we may be damn glad to have clean water and land. Not only that it will help to reduce the foul air people are breathing. 9.1.an The state isn't doing a very good job now. No new taxes. 5. Groundwater quality may be a more serious problem than currently believed because of insufficient knowledge. Bflifil To [sic] many chemicals are used on the grass and waste matter is not disposed of right. 63 6. Michigan should increase air quality through government regulation. Dianne Never. Not much government can do with polution [sic] from cars and other sources mm Should be done on a federal level. 7. Recycling programs within Michigan should be more uniform. 89:99 Y... 21:99:99 Not really saving anything by recycling. Cost to [sic] much money now. 8. Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills. Mm Not Mich. private companies should be given free hand to research. Certainly. 9. Michigan needs to increase efforts to promote tourism. 59:99 Along with keeping the resident working. 11993191 First try some way to delete crime first, then other nice activities will follow. 10. Michigan farmers should decrease their use of pesticides. 89:99 Certainly foods are unsafe to consume on account of pesticides 11. Educational programs should be created to inform consumers about how food is produced. 89:99 It would be a great help, then you would know what's good or bad for you. 64 12. Organic farming could be accomplished on a large scale. 89:99 Sure get rid of all chemicals and pesticides - that's the way it used to be. Elflilll Not aware alot [sic] about organic farming. 13. The “Greenhouse Effect” is an issue of concern in Michigan. 89:99 If the GHE is true all states need to be in concern. 8999:91 That should be only for flowers and things of that nature. 14. Lawn owners should decrease their use of pesticides/fertilisers. 89:99 True what goes into the earth, has to sooner come out. Unless its organic Neutral Government is regulating pesticides and fertilizers now. 15. Animal wastes should be used only on crops grown for animal consumption. 121mm Farmers have been doing that for years. 16. wetlands need to be protected and preserved because they are needed for the survival of wildlife. Disagree To [sic] many regulations now. I think some wetlands are mosquito havens and we are pushing wetlands more than we need. 65 17. International food trade is important to all nations' economies. 89:99 I agree just so far we here in the U.S. must start taking care our own and caring for what is here not all other country's [sic]. 18. People need to be hatter informed about genetic engineering. 8999:91 I do not know enough. 19. Animals need to be respected, however, we need to stress human rights over animal rights. 89:99 I do not believe in animal rights groups. You bet. This is definetly [sic] a concern, kill your neighbor no problem but hang if you shot a moose! 20. Acid rain is a concern in Michigan. Dim Over stated. mm. I [sic] not sure we have a big worry. Lack of knowledge on this issue. v t - -s e Questionnaire number one for the four-stage Delphi was an open- ended question used by the respondents to list the issues they felt faced the Michigan consumer. The results from questionnaire number one are found in Table 32. A complete list of issues is included in the Appendices. The researcher had to make final judgements on certain issues that only received one nomination to keep the issue list to twenty issues. water pollution and drinking water were made two separate issues 66 due to the comments made on questionnaire number one. There are ten (10) issues: food safety, air pollution, drinking water/groundwater, property taxes, landfills, use of Michigan land, agricultural chemical (pesticide) use, recycling, saving farmland, and wetlands that are similar to those identified from research for the three-stage Delphi. Table 32 Issue Identified 12 Water pollution Food safety Landfills Air pollution Michigan economy Drinking water Recycling wheemmqm Disposal of nuclear/chemical waste II II I J Property taxes I 3 Ag. chemical use 3 Michigan education system 3 Stateyparks 3 Farmland preservation 2 Maintenance of MI roads 2 Logging of MI land 2 Contaminated freshwater fish 2 Toxic waste “ 1 Wetlands “ 1 Abandoned oil wells/drill fl sites 1 Use of Michigan land n In the four-stage Delphi questionnaire number two respondents were asked to rank how important each issue was by using a four point Likert- 67 scale. For analysis purposes, each response was assigned a corresponding value, 1 through 4. Table 33 is the key for the Likert scale questions in questionnaire number two. Table 33 Not important 1.00 - 1.49 Low importance 1.50 - 2.49 Very Important 2.50 - 3.49 The respondents were asked to rank level of importance of each issue (Table 34). They were encouraged to write comments indicating their reason for giving a specific importance level. The means for each issue then was used to give rankings to the issues for questionnaire number 2. In Questionnaire number two the respondents ranked one issue at low importance and fifteen issues as very important and four issues as extremely important. The respondents ranked Michigan education system, disposal of nuclear/chemical wastes, disposal of toxic wastes, and drinking water as the extremely important issues. 68 Table 34 ' --°__L_ '. 1:3. __:+-___;Ti_._:_::g__v:,_ _:__ " __._g:Jw 1- 2 _ x__:_ i _ Issues NI LI VI E1 1. Water pollution 3.32 2. Food safety 3.00 3. Landfills 3.42 4. Air pollution 3.11 5. Michigan economy 3.28 6. Drinkipg water 3.5 '7. Property taxes 3.21 8. Recycling 3.32 . 9. Agricultural chemical use 2.88 I 10. Disposal of nuclear and 3.56 chemical waste 11. Saving farmland 3.12 I 12. Michigan education system 3.62 13. State parks 2.47 I 14. Toxic waste 3.50 15. Maintenance of Michigan 3.29 I roads I 16. Logging of Michigan 2.81 I woodlands l7. Contaminated freshwater 3.00 fish 18. Use of Michigan land 2.87 | 19. Wetlands 2.88 20. Abandoned oil wells/drill ——2._59_——J sites Respondents had the opportunity to write comments about each issue on the first questionnaire to assist in establishing the issue statement for questionnaire number two. positive, negative, and neutral categories (Tables 35 - 54). For each issue comments were grouped into 69 Table 35 Positive Negative Neutral TOTALS 29.113111 Quality has been improving over the years - but still needs work. mm The pollution we acknowledge is probably only the tip of the iceberg. People who are polluting should be stopped and forced to pay for clean up. This also involves runoff from agriculture. Concerned about what is happening to the Great Lakes - especially fish. This is mainly a rural area but is polluted. Each area should be better informed. A quick way to eliminate the papulation. Must try not to alter nature. 8999:91 With proper safety for industrial, controlled regulation. Do we really know how bad this is? Do insecticides and fertilizers, etc. pollute our well water? 70 Table 36 Positive Negative “Mtl TOTALS 29.11.3111 I think Michigan has always been a leader in food safety. Let's stay in leadership. State should maintain strict rules and enforce them. I think generally people still have faith in inspections. I know of no threats. Media will weed out unsafe companies. Apparently no critical problem now. 119939119 Especially with FDA regulations: seeing harmful effects of years past. Types of pesticides used in spraying. Need information everyone can understand. Hormones, etc. fed to animals are they safe for us to eat? 3999:91 Our lives depend on the safety of the food we eat. FDA rules/regu. should be enforced to the limit. 71 Table 37 Positive Negative Ntaeul Not enough is done fast enough to supply landfills. m we can't ignore our past misuse, we can be accountable for future use. Safety regulation instead of filling land - build incinerators. Also connects to drinking water and water pollution. Out of state trash should be stopped. One of the quickest ways to pollution. Toxic runoff must be controlled. Do they pollute well water? Apparently filling up need more safe locations. 89991.11 We need to invest heavily in researching alternative solutions (mandatory recyclingl). DNR should help find areas for landfills. we should use landfills for degradable products - paper, food garbage, grass. we need them, but they need to be safe. 72 Table 38 Positive Negative Neutral Our air should be appreciated before we have pollution. Let's not wait for it to be a problem. Quality has improved over years and MI is pretty fortunate, but we can't slack off monitoring. Continue to monitor air pollution and make industrial companies responsible for the air they pollute. In this area its [sic] good. Apparently adequately controlled. 89999129 Large factories could use better purifies [sic] to help clean up smoke. 8999:91 Present air pollution rules should be enforced. We should be emission testing older cars rather than new cars (5 years and up). Clean air is essential. How bad is this in rural Michigan? Produce better efficiency engine manufacturing. Want to breathe clean air. More work on auto emissions. (Ethanol fuel and battery powered). 73 Table 39 ‘! °.£1“..,! .' ".A.'.’, — ° 9'- i: if x I 9'! 'i'..!'.) I ' .11.A_.L. Positive Negative Neutral Michigan's economy is fairly stable. Provides funds for needed protective measures and services. I really think the working class are held too accountable for everyones finances. Bring in new jobs and training for a new way of life. Can't rely on auto manufacturers. This is affecting everyone. Is down at present time- Engler has hurt the UP terribly— Hope it will change. Need to make a living here to like to live here. Government cannot spend more than taken in (balance budget). Neutral Important, but what can we do? Business cycles usually repair themselveszfederal gov. and federal reserve have more power than we do. If government keeps hands off, I'm sure economy will improve. Need to become more diversified from being reliant on auto industry. Need more information. Lower taxation on business so they will return to Michigan - the difference will be made up with income from employment. More factories. 74 Table 40 Positive Negative negtrel '“ ‘ ' T 2.9113111 Migh standards for purity of drinking water must be maintained. we have good drinking water but for how long? Michigan has the best today - keep it that way. I like safe water to live healthy. M93119 Need to propose uniform standards and rountinely monitor; rust is a problem. More water purification plants needed. Too much talk and studies not enough action. 899391 An ounce of prevention - it shouldn't become a problem before it becomes our concern. People are becoming more aware of this problem All wells should be tested periodically. 75 Table 41 Positive Negative Neutral] we need to support our economy if we wish to have the slightest impact on its direction. Prime source of funds for education. would like to(get)a bang for the buck, must pay for what I get. M99119 The working class is coming close to giving 50% of everything for taxes. Not wise. Legislature must act to lower property taxes since state and local officials don't even try to help property owners. Factor in attracting new business as well as new residents. How much more can we afford. Too high-not enough time spent by our government to solve this problem. Engler is not the answer. The taxes are horendous [sic] in this area compared to Detroit where they receive the most benefits and jobs and industry. Very unfair way of taxation - you are not equally taxed. E99913]. More jobs would help cut taxes. 76 Table 42 Positive Negative Neutral Should be high priority. No better way to insure natural resources for the future. Better programs must be instituted. Better recycling programs will result in extending landfill life, as well as, the ecological savings. we try to recycle as much as possible. It should be done now, protect our world. Mandatory recycling the only way to significantly reduce waste. 112993.122 Not enough recycling programs and/or companies using recycled products. Companies w/in MI need to reconsume packaging it sells. (some containers are not accepted at recycling centers even though they are recyclable). Not enough people are doing it. 8999:91 Need more pick up times for home furniture, such as bedding and appliances. Also connects to landfills It's not been tried sufficiently enough to comment. During World War II it was more required. Need more Michigan factories to produce products from recycled material. Depends on availability of landfills. 77 Table 43 Positive Negative N-utl I believe the present regulations are satisfactory. Sometimes it is necessary for chemical use to increase yield and keep prices down. My: we shouldn't let this get out of hand. Have much concern on types of pesticides used. Do not use chemicals that will harm wildlife. More research on being harmful after we eat vegetables and meat. 11993391 Let's not have a 'thats [sic] the way we've always done it attitude“ What are our options over chemicals? Not as much of an issue anymore w/such strict regulations. But would rather buy wilted lettuce than chemical laced lettuce. Proper useage [sic] from farmer,home We need to be sure that the farmers are using these properly. Need more information. 78 Table 44 Positive Neggtive Neutral 7 ’ ' W W i ” 7 ' '7 i ' 7 \ m— 7, _000 - . we don't want to produce environmental and economic bads for the sake of a few goods. Cut out use of nuclear plants. Now can we dispose of something with a half life of thousands of years. This is going to get us all. Should be done in states where there is very little rainfall -desert areas, etc. 11:99:41 Same as any waste -Recycle. Our world is not disposable. Government should make a stronger effort in this area. There must be a way to get rid of chemical waster other than bury it in the ground. We need to be informed. Michigan is major producer of such wastes. Not very informed on this issue. 79 Table 45 I 2 .111111: ! - _' i E '1' 1'. P, ! 1 ' I: E l - '- ‘ ' ° 1 ° -. 111 - 1 °. ' ’ ”'21.. Positive Negative It's one of the basics we take for granted. We're not so clever that we don't need it. Fertility of MI farmland is one of our assets. ‘It is of utmost importance if we are to survive in the future to save more farmland from development. A special grant should be established to redevelop vacant farmland. we must save the farms or pay the price, or make the land produce more. If we don't, who is going to feed us. 8999:91 Large rancher and farmers are making a monopoly-same as big business Wisconsin is good example. we can see more land going to residential use in this area. ? Need more initiatives for small farms to make a living. Table 46 I HUM-f - _° l-h’lfiil ' ' 1: 8 i Y 1 °-! 3!- -_ ’1 - ~ ~11! ,_.__.__f_ w .. ._ of Coument “—1 +————————~——-————-——————a————————————————————————— ——4 Positive 2 18 ] Negative 3 I 27 i Neutral 6 55 I w— -o i 80 zgsitizs I think there are too many children per teacher. Otherwise doing a good job. Most valuable resource. Negatizs We have to realize that more money is not the answer. More dedicated teachers and educators could help. we need to do a better job. In this area it needs a lot of improvement. Back to basics! 8999:91 It's important to have a decent education but also jobs to go to. Should be upgraded to ensure competencies - not just cognitive knowledge. Engler does not do something about school finance soon. He will kill the high level of education in Michigan. Stop busing in the inner city - use the money for education instead use the schools in your area. A Nations future can be measured by its education today. But keep it simple, don't complicate it. Need more reliable information on choice, school issues, and private vs. public. Table 47 1 mum! - ° --_-i-1°— » - 1— -—— -_ : 9: .1 0 0-91:1! _—- _ . ___ _ . i-i__~,._____.____.________- i___ . __ , 1 Positive 4 40 Negative I 1 10 , W1 H 1 __ a - 5° mg- m mo 29919129 Keep them natural, not commercialized. Important to the economy. 81 I use the state parks in MI they are fine. Seem to be run quite well. mun If we can't get the economy going, who's going camping. E99931 Need to insure preservation of so that they will remain parks in future. Get more community action and volunteer groups to assist in clean ups. Should be maintained and kept safe for all to use. Cost of parks is rising too high for what they offer. They are very good and use them very much. Don't use them. Should be supported by the people who use them-not from the general tax fund. Table 48 Positive Negative Nputral It is good the way it is handled and easy for me to dispose of old waste. 3:93:11: This is going to get us all. Clare county -Marrison area- twenty lakes twenty minutes and the County commissioners are trying to put a landfill in the middle of them (poor judgement. 11999131. Find a use for them, they're only waste if no one wants them We need to effectively dispose of it so it is not a problem for future generations. 82 Better controls and penalties for violators. Grants established to help build plants, lower cost of disposal of waste. Need better information and true facts. Need to be more informed and should be known where to take it. Positive 0 0 I Negative 6 55 I "“L‘ Effects economic well-being of state. State must do a better job of inspection when contractors are rebuilding too much sloppy work is getting by. Stop this wasteful way of cold patching the roads. There are better ways, teach the cities and counties. Stop repairing on rainy days tar and water don't mix. In this area is there a maintenance crew that works? Poorly maintained trucking should be taxed higher - their heavy weights are what destroys the road. In need of repair badly. Neutral Use the prison population for manual maintenance, road commission for high tech. Potholes are becoming a problem - have road test sites produced any alternative uses? Good roads are needed to transport Michigan people and products. Who's going to pay for it. Some areas very good some are very bad - U.P. does not get there fair share of road repairs. Table 50 Positive 1 11 Negative 1 ll Neutral 7 78 TOTALS 9 100.0 mm Fine as long as its replenished and balance kept. W Too much clear cutting - do not replace trees fast enough. They are killing our woodlands. 19999991 Big issue in the UP. Society is stressing tree planting yet we're chopping them down? We should stress away from clearcutting and push replanting. Loggers or property owners must be forced to replant after logging. The logging companies must insure replacement planting. Replant or replace with new trees with Michigan white pine. we need to regulate logging to be sure the land is reseeded with trees. Better information. Stop clear cutting and have a planting program - if you cut plant. Table 51 Positive 1 10 Negative 6 60 I Neutral 3 30 TOTALS 10 100.0 84 29.11.9119 I think this is over publicized. 89999119 They're trying to tell us something. Clean up our act. Effects of past pollution and lack of disposal sites showing up in our fish; natural resources (air,land, water, etc.) should be among top priorities so we can preserve ourselves and our future. Hurts potential for a Great Lakes fishing industry. Eat less. They waited too long to do something about this. Where are contaminants coming from. Need to correct this issue. EIHSIIL Purify industrial waste before entering streams and rivers. Monitor near plants not 20 miles downstream. The public needs to be informed. Depends on relationship to safe potable water. Table 52 Positive 2 20 Negative 2 20 ‘m_--— mm Michigan land should not be abused. More concern to prevent and protect Michigan lands. 89999129 When MI land is sold for development owners should be able to get all fees and permits without hassle. Priority human persons and non-human beings. 85 8999:91 If used commercially there should be accountability to maintain ecology. we live here, we should be concerned about it. Many issues are not publicized enough. Land should be used to our best advantage - not destroyed by off road vehicles. Need more information about its use. Don't understand the question. Need more small farms. Table 53 Positive Negative 7 Neutral 11 100.0 we have them for a reason. Let's take care of them. If wetlands disappear, wildlife disappears; ecological balance shifts. I believe existing wetlands should be preserved where possible. Imperative to safe for the purpose of nature's balance of wildlife. we can't continue to drain wetlands. Wild fowl need homes too. M99119 If we don't stop the DNR where will we farm. Need cleaning up. Not all standing water sites need be preserved. Just what is needed for migratory fowl and drinking water. 11999991 Make it useful land where needed and leave marshlands alone. I think DNR is overboard on some points of protecting wetlands. 86 Table 54 Positive Negative Depends on effect on underground water. This may have something to do with our water contamination, plug unused wells. Neutral Those who profit from the sites should pay for the restoration. Public/environmental nuisance and hazard. If wells are not producing, the sites should be returned to natural conditions. This should be required I believe they should be restored to original state. Clean up. Fill in. They should be returned to original condition. I do not see too much of a problem with this. I see growing crops where there was oil wells. There are many in this county. If the well is not producing the driller should have to plug the well with cement. In the four-stage Delphi questionnaire number three respondents were asked to rank their level of agreement on each issue statement. This questionnaire again used a four point Likert- scale. For analysis purposes, each response was assigned a corresponding value, 1 through 4. Table 55 is the key for the Likert scale questions in questionnaire number three. 87 Table 55 KEY SD Strongly disagree 1.00 - 1.49 D Disagree 1.50 - 2.49 A Agree 2.50 — 3.49 I SA Stron 1 agree 3.50 - 4.0 T e lets tfie agreement partlctpants a towar each issue. The issues are listed in importance order as determined by questionnaire number two. Respondents strongly agreed with only two issue statements, freshwater fish contamination being stopped and Michigan's economy relying on other industry besides the automobile industry. Banning the use of processes that generate nuclear wastes, lack of communication being the major problem with toxic waste disposal, and being proud of the Michigan kindergarten through twelfth grade education system were the issue statements with which the respondents disagreed. 88 Table 56 I99::99999_9919h1i__9999919nn91:9_£1_:_L91919_91_89:99m9n9 Issue Statement SD SA 1,eee Michigan can be proud of its E- 12 grade educational system. 2.*ee Processes that generate nuclear wastes should be banned because the wastes cannot be disposed ofjproperly. 3.eee Currently, Michigan has good, pure drinking water. 2.72 4,... The methods of toxic waste disposal are adequate; the problem lies with communication. 2.33 s.** Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills. 6.** Recycling programs within MI should be more uniform. 7.** The water pollution we , acknowledge is only a small part of the real problem. 8.9‘9‘ Michigan's economy must begin to rely on other areas besides the automobile industry. 9.** Property tax reform measures should be introduced. 10.** Farmland must be preserved in order to have food now and in the future. 11.** well maintained roads are worth pgying for. 3.39 12.** Sources of pollution which contaminate our freshwater fish must be found and stopped. L 13.** Wetlands need to be protected and preserved because they are needed for the survival of wildlife. 14.** MI should increase air quality through government regulation. [15... Current food safety standards meet consumers' needs. 89 Table 56 continued WW Issue Statement SD 0 A SA 16.** MI farmers should decrease 3.00 their use of agricultural chemicals. 17.** MI land usage should be based 3.19 on well developed plans. 18.** Intense logging is sound if 2.56 replanting is adequate. 19.** Abandoned oil well/drill sites 3.41 should be restored to their undisturbed state. 20.* Because of their importance, 2.94 the quality of MI state parks is the responsibility of all MI people. "** - Extremely important ** - Very important * - Low importance Respondents had the opportunity to add comments to each issue statement to clarify their position. Comments were grouped into agree, disagree, and neutral categories. The following lists are the comments made by respondents to issue statement on questionnaire number three. 1. Michigan can be proud of its kindergarten through twelfth grade educational system. Ingram Our educational system is a disgrace too many politicians and educators think that more money is the cure. In this area our schools are a disgrace. we have few teachers dedicated to teaching. Children have graduated who are illiterate. It's a fact! Too many areas of the state with high drop out rates and poor performances. Not cost effective teachers overpaid. Weak -incorrect goals. Neutral 1. Financing 2. Too many students per teacher to teach properly. Stop bussing in the inner city use that money for education and the education system will improve more. 90 The governor must not cut state aid but work on a better school finance plan. 2. Processes that generate nuclear wastes should be banned because the wastes cannot be disposed of properly. 91:99:99 If we eliminate nuclear power plants, we will cause more pollution with others. We need nuclear energy. The wastes could be disposed of properly if we really set our minds to find the way. Nuclear energy is the cleanest way today to produce electricity - store the waste in the desert away from water supply - as time goes on someplace else will be found. Maybe outer space. We should not worry about banning-but find a way to dispose of the waste. Neutral Safe waste management is indispensible [sic]. Citizens are not informed that this is true or false. Can nuclear wastes be disposed of without later hazzards [sic]? For how long? To[sic] political. Too many lies about things. 3. Recycling programs within Michigan should be more uniform. 89m The whole state has to ban [sic] together to make it work. Too costly otherwise. Recycling stations should be more accessible and manufacturers should be required to use recycled material. In this area recycling bases are next to non-existent [sic]. This could create jobs and money for this problem. Needs to be tried. Every place should have the same system it should be a national project. Especially in Marquette. Neutral A whole new waste management system is needed. 91 4. Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills. 89:99 Recycle, a good start. Incinerators could do it. Burn and what won't burn recycle. 8999:91 Effects on underground water - long term - must be investigated. Much of our waste is not necessary. Landfills could still be used for biodegradable materials. Once again they say we have no landfills but are doing nothing to help solve the problem. 5. The methods of toxic waste disposal are adequate; the problem lies with communication. 89:99 Very much so - as we hear it. Disposal is not adequate if not so - very bad communications. The public has no real knowledge concerning this. 91:99:99 The problem lies in enforcement and lack of penalties. Waste management does not care about the environment they have been caught too many times illegiatley [sic] dumping. 8919991 Toxic waste must be isolated at the source, stored, and if possible recycled to industry. 6. Currently, Michigan has good, pure drinking water. 89:99 True protect it! 909 of Michigan. 91:99:99 I don't believe any pure drinking water exists today. 92 More water purification need [sic] for city and factory. Neutral We have to work on chemicals put on plants, etc. to see if they eventually go to our drinking water. Water is key resource. we can't afford to contaminate it. In this area we have good water, but not in all of Michigan. 7. The water pollution we acknowledge is only a small part of the real problem. 89:99 Pollution is still occurring we need better supervision and enforcement Very true. 89:39:91 Air pollution Storm water runoff through sanitary sewer lines, or from sewer lines to rivers must be curtailed if not stopped. 8. Michigan's economy must begin to rely on other areas besides the automobile industry. 89:99 Must have an initiative to start up new industry. we need to generate and promote other industries on a long term basis. To do it we need to retrain. Very true. 8.9991291 It's apparent Michigan is losing to imports! Why, is the import superior or just cheaper? Michigan has taxed away the automobile business. 9. Property tax reform measures should be introduced. 89:99 We need legislators who will act and make this issue at the top of the list and forget their petty political differences. Develop a uniform way of taxation. 93 very Very true. 91:99:99 Not until we find another way to fund our schools and county governments. Neutral It is unfair to tax unrealized inflation. Our taxes are high. I believe we support the larger cities. Cities have jobs and should support themselves. Incentives should be provided for home maintainence [sic] -especially older homes. Politics must stop. 10. Farmland must be preserved in order to have food now and in the future. 89:99 We need more initiative to develop more small farmers. (through schools?) we need to control sprawl. More effort should be made to preserve farmland. How about tax breaks. While jobs are being lost why aren't areas that are deteriorating being cleared and reconstructed instead of taking farmland? Must preserve the family farm instead of allowing creation of corporate farms. Yes very true. 11. Well maintained roads are worth paying for. 8999! Michigan roads are bad. The worse they get, the more it will cost to repair. Maintained roads would save on the frequent and costly auto repairs. Saves gas, time Need to introduce toll roads. The condition of our roads is disgusting. 91:99:99 Is it possible to widen existing roads? If we can't support old roads how can we maintain new roads? 94 Neutral We must limit the weight and speed of trucks. They are causing 90a of the damage to roads. we are paying for them I believe the gas money is not in the right places. 12. Sources of pollution which contaminate our freshwater fish must be found and stopped. 89:99 Check all ships before entering Great Lakes. No more factory pollution. Pollution is still occurring we need better supervision and enforcement To my knowledge, laws reguarding [sic] fish products are needing attention. Fine, if possible, sources of pollution. Fines going into clean up expenses. I think the sources are known the method of stopping it is the problem. True. 13. wetlands need to be protected and preserved because they are needed for the survival of wildlife. 89:99 we have to recognize that mother nature had some pretty good ideas. Either protect the wetlands or forget wildlife its [sic] that simple. Qieaeree I feel the D.N.R. rules are too strict now. Presently the DNR puts too much emphasis in this area more sensible approach is needed. 89:19:91 We look to our leaders for answers thinking they set a whole picture, nationwide. Do we believe what's on TV or our political figures elected to do this job. Lots of wetlands are damaged by loggers. 95 14. Michigan should increase their air quality through government regulation. 89:99 Each one of us needs to learn more about this. I think it is the only way. Dimree we have too much government regulations, need better enforcement. Why does the government have to regulate? Set the standards! All the government does is talk and take money - need reliable people. 8:99:91 Provided regulations aren't unrealistic and excessively costly to consumer. 15. Current food safety standards meet consumers' needs. 8:99:91 Are all additives safe? Hormones to animals, insecticides and fertilizers. Food contents need to be clearly stated not disguised so the average person needs a dictionary to shop. Not sure of this. 16. Michigan farmers should decrease their use of agricultural chemicals. 89:99 I believe the use of agricultural chemicals should be greatly reduced. meagree Sometimes chemicals are the best and cheapest method. Need this to help crops. A farm can be wiped out in a couple of days if not watched. 8:99:91. The public needs to know what the use of chemicals mean. 17. Michigan land usage should be based on well developed plans. 89:99 Many areas are left to become slums. They should torn down and re- developed. 96 Neutral Whose plans? Land owners should have some voice in this. State land only. 18. Intense logging is sound if replanting is adequate. 89:99 If replanting is adequate. Replanting is the answer. niaauree Intense logging? It takes years, for replanting to come to fruitation. Intense logging no matter what the replanting destroys natures balance. Replanting is not soon enough after logging is done. Neutral I think selective logging and cutting is better, along with replanting. Log at maturity rate. Keep woods diverse. 19. Abandoned oil well/drill sites should be restored to their undisturbed state. IIQEEEE I think this is a possibility for polluting our water. It is my understanding that this practice is presently in effect. Why not? Those who profit from these wells should restore them. Not because of natural habitat but also safety. Pull the pipes and fill the hole. True they disturb the land when they put in well - so now put it back to it- original state. 20 - Because of their importance, the quality of Michigan state parks is the responsibility of all Michigan people. W Th- responsibility of all people who use them -most parks are excellent ut there are a few that are very bad. State should not make any difference. We should all be clean and proud. M 3-11% we paying for them now? Let the users pay the major portion of 1‘. expense. '9“ love numb stat 100% devej state Pernu rely refo: "Orth fresh bob, 'hOUl: 97 Parks should be maintained by the people who use them. 8:99:91 Especially the people using these facilities. Primarily users. Questionnaire number four was designed to confirm the level of agreement on each issue and to have the group come to a consensus on the level of agreement for each issue statement. Table 57 indicates the number of respondents who agreed and disagreed with the specific statement and the percent. Note in Table 57 that four-stage Delphi participants agreed at the 1009 level for six issue statements. The issue statements were developed from the comments made on questionnaire number two. The issue statements that they agreed with are, “Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills.', ”Michigan's economy must begin to rely on other areas besides the automobile industry.', "Property tax reform measures should be introduced.', ”Well maintained roads are worth paying for.', "Sources of pollution which contaminate our freshwater fish must be found and stopped.', ”Michigan land usage should be based on well developed plans.', ”Abandoned oil well/drill sites should be restored to their undisturbed state.”- As a whole, the respondents disagreed with the issue statements concerning banning processes that generate nuclear wastes, lack of communication regarding toxic waste disposal being the problem and being proud of the Michigan kindergarten through twelfth grade education system. 98 Table 57 Issue Statement Disagree 9 Agree 1 (N) (N) 1.*** Michigan can be proud of its 13 72.2 5 27.8 x-12 grade educational system. 2.*** Processes that generate 12 66.7 6 33.3 nuclear wastes should be banned because the wastes cannot be disposed of properly. 3.*** Currently, MI has good,pure 5 ‘ 27.8 13 72.2 drinkingiwater 4.*** The methods of toxic waste 14 82.4 3 17.6 disposal are adequate; the problem lies with communication. 5.** Michigan should research 0 0 18 100.0 possible alternatives to landfills Recycling programs within MI 1 5.6 17 94.4 should be more uniform. The water pollution we 1 5.9 16 94.1 acknowledge is only a small part of the real problem. Michigan's economy must 0 0 18 100.0 begin to rely on other areas besides the automobile industry. Property tax reform measures 0 0 18 100.0 should be introduced. Farmland must be preserved 2 11.1 16 88.9 in order to have food now and in the future. Well maintained roads are 0 0 17 100.0 worth paying for. l2.** Sources of pollution which 0 0 18 100.0 contaminate our freshwater fish must be found and stopped. l3.** Wetlands need to be 3 16.7 15 83.3 protected and preserved because they are needed for the survival of wildlife. *** - Extremely important ** - very important a a Low importance 99 Table 57 continued .- - V Issue Statement Disagree 9 (N) 14.** MI should increase air 5 29.4 quality through government regulation. 15.** Current food safety 4 22.2 standards meet consumers' needs. 16.** MI farmers should decrease 2 12.5 their use of agricultural chemicals. 17.** MI land usage should be 0 0 based on well developed plans. 18.** Intense logging is sound if 7 38.9 replanting is adequate. 19.** Abandoned oil well/drill 0 0 17 100.0 sites should be restored to their undisturbed state. 20.* Because of their importance, 4 22.2 14 77.8 the quality of MI state parks is the responsibility Y ** - Very important * - Low importance On questionnaire number four respondents were instructed to add a comment to clarify their responses Lj_nggggg. By this stage most respondents had come to a decision as to whether they agreed or disagreed with each issue statement, they were aware that further discussion would not be used in another questionnaire. Comments are grouped into agree, disagree, neutral categories. 1. Michigan can be proud of its kindergarten through twelfth grade educational system. Niaauree There are still areas of the state whose K-12 is not adequate. Not in this area. These questions have all been answered before! 100 8999991 The problem with school children stems from the home not from the school. More money is not the solution. we need teachers and administrators who will work to improve the system. 2. Processes that generate nuclear wastes should be banned because the wastes cannot be disposed of properly. 89:99 Is this statement true? If it is, then I agree, this should be banned! 91:99:99 We need to develop more nuclear power. 8:99:91 Then lets [sic] develop the means of safely disposing or reusing the wastes. 3. Recycling programs within Michigan should be more uniform. (No comments.) 4. Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills. 89:99 Why not incinerate more. 5. The methods of toxic waste disposal are adequate; the problem lies with communication. 9.1.1an If it's adequate why due [sic] we ship it out of state. Research shows this problem crops up again in the years ahead and is not adequate! 8999:91 Enforce present disposal regulations. 6. Currently, Michigan has good, pure drinking water. 89:99 In this area the water is good. 101 91:99:99 Need more purification plants. 7. The water pollution we acknowledge is only a small part of the real problem. 8:99:91 Lack of proper enforcement. 8. Michigan's economy must begin to rely on other areas besides the automobile industry. 8:99:91 Already answered this question previously. 9. Property tax reform measures should be introduced. 89:99 Lets [sic] elect legislators who will do the job and forget politics. 10. Farmland must be preserved in order to have food now and in the future. Diner” I have the right to sell if need. 11. well maintained roads are worth paying for. 8:99:91 More roads are being built than this economy can support. If old roads could be widened it might help. Lets [sic] get the over weight trucks off the roads. 12. Sources of pollution which contaminate our freshwater fish must be found and stopped. (No comments.) 13. wetlands need to be protected and preserved because they are needed for the survival of wildlife. 89:99 If the particular wetland fosters animals, not just mosquitos. nnauree Alot [sic] of wet land only bread [sic] insects who needs them. 8:99:91 But not at any cost. 102 14. Michigan should increase air quality through government regulation. Rim Industry must do this without government pressure. 8:99:91 Air quality is or should (be) regulated by each and (e)very state. Each person should accept the responsibility. The government can't sit on everyone. 15. Current food safety standards meet consumers' needs. 91:99:99 There are sick animals being used for meat and dairy, somehow this must be stopped. 16. Michigan farmers should decrease their use of agricultural chemicals. 8:99:91 Farmers need to be educated on chemicals used. Looking at both sides of the issue needs looking into. 11. Michigan land usage should be based on well developed plans. 99:99 Should be handled on state wide plans. Bypass local zoning boards. 18. Intense logging is sound if replanting is adequate. 91:99:99 It is not adequate and takes years to replenish. mun Trees take years to grow, therefore careful logging must be practiced to maintain soil and wildlife. l9. Abandoned oil well/drill sites should be restored to their undisturbed state. (No comments). 20. because of their importance, the quality of Michigan state parks is the responsibility of all Michigan people. 11935331 The people who play should have to pay. People who use them should pay for the upkeep and maintenance 103 The issues ranked in the three-stage Delphi were identified from the review of literature. The issues ranked in the four-stage Delphi were identified by respondents who answered questionnaire number one. The similar issues are identified by an '*.' (Table 58) There are nine issues that are similar and eleven issues that are different, due to differing comments from the three-stage and four-stage Delphi participants the Michigan land use issue was different. Drinking water and groundwater were considered to be similar issues because Michigan's drinking water is mainly from groundwater sources. figment! The results of data analyses for the study were reported in this chapter. The results were presented in four sections. The first section consisted of respondent characteristics. The second section was the three-stage Delphi descriptive statistics and comments the third section contained the four-stage Delphi list of issues, descriptive statistics and comments. Finally, the fourth section showed a final comparison of issues identified by research (three-stage Delphi) versus the issues identified by consumers (four-stage Delphi). Chapter V contains a summary of the study, conclusions, recommendations, and implications. 104 Table 58 Issue - Three-stage Issue - Four-stage [research-identified) (consumer-identified) l * Saving Farmland Michigan education 1 system 2 * Property taxes Disposal of nuclear 2 and chemical wastes 3 * Food safety Drinking water 3 4 * Use of Michigan land Toxic waste 3 5 * Groundwater Landfills 5 6 * Clean air Recycling] 6 7 * Recycling Water pollution 6 8 * Landfills Maintenance of MI 8 roads 9 Attracting tourists Michigan economy 9 10 * Agricultural pesticide Property taxes 10 use 11 Understanding how food Saving farmland 11 moves from producer to ' your table. [12 Greenhouse effect Air pollution 12 12 Organic farming Contaminated 13 freshwater fish 14 Lawn pesticide use Food safety 13 I 15 Disposal of animal Agricultural chemical 15 u wastes as it relates to use food production. 16 * wetlands wetlands 15 17 International food Use of MI land 17 trade 18 Genetic engineering Logging of MI 18 woodlands sites 19 Animal rights/welfare Abandoned oil 19 wells/drill sites 20 Acid rain State parks * 2 ar ssues CHAPTER V SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS 99999:! The purpose of this study was to identify the concerns of Michigan people as they relate to the environment, food production and consumption, the use of Michigan land (forests, state parks, shorelines, etc.), pollution, and international food trade. The specific objectives of the study were: 1. To identify consumer-type agricultural issues that are of concern to Michigan people. 2. To ascertain differences and similarities between issues identified by consumers and issues identified from research. The sample included 150 people who were selected by systematically randomizing a population of 300 Michigan residents. Of the 150 initially contacted, seventeen (17) people agreed to participate in the three-stage Delphi (research-identified issues)and twenty-three (23) people agreed to participate in the four-stage Delphi (consumer- identified issues). Of the forty (40) people that initially agreed to participate thirty-three (33) of them consistently replied to the Delphi questionnaires (14 for the three-stage and 19 for the four-stage). The surveys followed a standard Delphi process and utilized an open-ended question for the first questionnaire, two questionnaires with a four-point Likert scale and one questionnaire with a dichotomous disagree/agree scale. The two Likert-scale questionnaires determined level of importance and level of agreement. The returned questionnaires were processed by computer using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS,1987), SPSS/PC+ version. The Likert-type scale questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequencies and means. 105 unsung: A summary of the objectives that guided the research process are followed by selected major findings described in Chapter IV. gpjggtiyg_1; To identify consumer-type agricultural issues that are of concern to Michigan people. 1. The top five issues identified in the four-stage Delphi included Michigan education system, disposal of nuclear and chemical wastes, drinking water, toxic waste, and landfills. These issues were identified by the respondents. 2. The three-stage Delphi participants ranked saving farmland, property taxes, food safety, use of Michigan land, and groundwater as the top five issues. These issues were identified for them via literature research. 3. The three-stage Delphi (research-identified) issue statements, their order of importance, and the final number of respondents who agreed and disagreed are compiled in Table 30 in Chapter IV. 4. The four-stage Delphi (consumer-identified) issues statements, their order of importance, and the final number of respondents who agreed and disagreed are compiled in Table 56 in Chapter IV. thggtiyg_z: To ascertain the differences and similarities between issues identified by consumers and issues identified from research. 3. There were differences among issues identified from research (three-stage Delphi) and issues identified by consumers (four-stage Delphi). The three-stage Delphi had 11 issues that were not identified by the consumers. The 11 issues were use of Michigan land (emphasized natural sites of beauty), attracting tourists, understanding how food moves from producer to your table, organic farming, Greenhouse effect, 106 107 lawn pesticide use, disposal of animal wastes as it relates to food production, international food trade, genetic engineering, animal rights/welfare, and acid rain. The four-stage Delphi participants identified 11 issues that were not in the top twenty issues identified by research. The 11 issues are Michigan economy, water pollution, disposal of nuclear and chemical waste, Michigan educational system, state parks, toxic waste, maintenance of Michigan roads, logging of Michigan woodlands, contaminated freshwater fish, use of Michigan land (four-stage emphasized land use planning), and abandoned oil wells/drill sites 4. There were nine similar issues identified by research and by the consumers. The nine issues were saving farmland, air pollution/quality, recycling, landfills, agricultural pesticide (chemical) use, wetlands, groundwater/drinking water, food safety and property taxes. W 1. The three-stage Delphi issues more closely resemble issues identified by CBS, commodity groups, MDA, and SAnSs due to the initial identification of issues coming from the literature. 2. The four-stage Delphi issues are consumer-identified issues that differ from issues identified by CBS, commodity groups, MDA, and SAESs. Because agriculturalists serve the consumer we should educate them on their concerns and, if deemed important, on issues identified by agricultural groups. 3. It is necessary to take a critical look at the influence of commodity groups on agriculturally-related research. From the four- stage Delphi it is evident that consumers are not interested in the same issues as commodity groups. Commodity group focus tends to be on economic issues directly related to production, whereas consumer focus is on environmental concerns and education. 108 W Based on results of the study the following recommendations were made: 1. Further research should be conducted with each critical issue identified by the four-stage Delphi study and a plan developed to address the needs. 2. Because agriculturalist identified issues differ from consumer identified issues, the agricultural community should continually include the consumers in identifying research issues. 3. The agriculturalists need to address the general public's agricultural/natural resources concerns and because agriculturalists serve the consumer we should educate them on their concerns and, if deemed important, on issues identified by agricultural groups. Agricultural education at all levels is one way to address this recommendation. W 1. Education was listed as an issue by the four-stage Delphi participants. One might argue that this is not a true agricultural issue. However, as more people are removed from production agriculture and fewer people choose to enter agricultural careers, education is an agricultural concern. The agricultural industry needs educated people to continue its growth in biotechnology, genetics, environmental sciences, food science and other high technology areas. Michigan State University and other institutions of higher learning need to work on drawing attention to the opportunities in agriculture. The efforts occurring in high schools and elementary schools must be continued and even be strengthened. 2. Some of the issues with media interests such as animal rights/welfare, acid rain, and greenhouse effect were not identified as 109 issues by the four-stage Delphi participants. Due to the amount of press the issues receive it was surprising that the participants did not identify these as issues in the first questionnaire. In chapter II, it was discussed that the media is ”enormously successful in convincing us what to think about." The lack of priority the respondents gave these issues may be due to the sporadic media coverage they receive. In addition, since these three issues do not directly impact the consumer they may not view them as important as the issues they did rank in the top five. Agriculturalists, knowing that the media is instrumental in setting consumers' agendas, should use the media to tell their story and educate the consumer on issues they, as consumers, feel are important. 3. The majority of the issues identified by the four-stage Delphi were environmentally related. The only issues that were related specifically to agriculture included food safety, agricultural chemical use, and saving farmland. As a College of Agriculture and Natural Resources there are many opportunities to integrate agriculture and natural resources with the environmental issues. Agriculture has traditionally included a conservation component through the Soil Conservation Service, the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, and by people within production agriculture following conservation plans. The environmental aspect of agricultural and natural resources should be placed on all agricultural research agendas and be emphasized. 4. Recycling and landfills ranked in the top ten issues as identified by both the three-stage (research-identified issues) and four-stage (consumer-identified issues) Delphi participants. This is not surprising because increasing recycling and decreasing availability of landfills have become household issues. Nonetheless, there were concerns mentioned that recycling isn't needed with every product because certain wastes cannot be redeveloped into another useable 110 product. This is an excellent opportunity for agricultural and environmental scientists to work on the development of more economic processes that make better use of recycled materials or develop other uses for recycled products. It is not beneficial for consumers to recycle if the waste material cannot be economically re-used. 5. The three-stage (research-identified issues) participants had zero issues that they agreed with at the 100% level whereas the four-stage (consumer-identified) Delphi participants had seven issues that they agreed on at the 100: level. This could be due to the fact that they identified their own issues, unlike the three-stage Delphi where the issues were identified by the review of literature. This could suggest that what agriculturalists feel are important issues do not rank as the consumers' most important issues. Consumers are not currently involved in developing agricultural research agendas, yet they are the people that agriculturalists aim to serve. Agriculturalists need to start including consumers in determining agricultural research agendas. 6. It was surprising that nuclear/chemical wastes and toxic wastes ranked in the top five for the four-stage Delphi participants, it was only identified in one source from the review of literature. As a College of Agriculture and Natural Resources we should investigate further into these areas since they appear to be high on the consumers' issues agenda. APPENDIX A NAMES OF REVIEW COMMITTEE 111 REVIEW COMMITTEE Dr. Jack Elliot Assistant Professor Agricultural 8 Extension Education MSU East Lansing, MI 48824-1039 Mr. David Byrum Graduate Assistant Agricultural & Extension Education MSU East Lansing, MI 48824-1039 Mr. James Connors Graduate Assistant Agricultural & Extension Education MSU East Lansing, MI 48824-1039 Mr. David Krueger Graduate Assistant Agricultural & Extension Education MSU East Lansing, MI 48824-1039 APPENDIX B LETTER 0? APPROVAL FROM THE MSU COMMITTEE ON RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY 112 ()I’I‘KI- (II \'I(II PRISIIII‘NT IOR RESEARCH I .~\.\T LANSING 0 MICHIGAN 0 4882-34040 AND DEAN ()I THE GRADUATE M'HOOI mm ( April 3, 1992 Gwen Dado 410 Agriculture Hall RE: MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL ISSUES, IRB #92-113 Dear Ms. Dado: The above project is exempt from full UCRIHS review. The proposed research protocol has been reviewed by a member of the UCRIHS committee. The rights and welfare of human subjects appear to be protected and you have approval to conduct the research. You are reminded that UCRIHS approval is valid for one calendar year. If you plan to continue this project beyond one year, please make provisions for obtaining appropriate UCRIHS approval one month prior to March 18, 1993. Any changes in procedures involving human subjects must be reviewed by UCRIHS prior to initiation of the change. UCRIHS must also be notifed promptly of any problems (unexpected side effects, complaints, etc.) involving human subjects during the course of the work. Thank you for bringing this project to my attention. If I can be of any future help, please do not hesitate to let me know. ‘ Sincerely, Chair David E. Wright, Pm University Committe~ -- Research Involving Human Subjects (UCRIHS) DEU/pjm cc: Dr. Jack Elliot MSI " is an .'I/firma!irr Adina/Equal Opfmrlunih' Institution APPENDIX C EXTENDED LISTS 113 Results/Input from Four-stage Delphi Questionnaire #1 MICHIGAN COMM-TYPE ISSUES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SI ADDRESS- (12) (8) (7) (6) (5) (4) (4) (4) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (2) (2) (2) (2) (1) (1) (Listed according to the amount of interest) Water pollution Food safety Landfills Air pollution Michigan economy Drinking water Property taxes (taxes) Recycling Farmland preservation Disposal of nuclear chemical waste Agricultural chemical use Michigan education system State parks Toxic waste Maintenance of Michigan roads Logging of Michigan woodlands Contaminated freshwater fish Use of Michigan land Wetlands Issues not selected for questionnaire #1 (1) (1) (2) I1) (1) (1) I1) (1) (1) Abandoned oil wells/drill sites Zebra mussels (1) Gypsy moths (1) Aids issue Abortion rights (1) Street people/homelessness Make fair trade act more equitable (1) Drug scene Crime (1) If DNR will split or separate the fish a wildlife division Unemployment (1) High cost of insurance (car, personal, health, property, etc.) Damage to environment by National Guard and Army. Reward people for working and make social programs a source of temporary relief not a way of life. Daycare (l) Innercity decay (1) Healthcare 114 SAES - 1990's Executive Summary MDA "Reaching 2020' 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. Protecting and enhancing water resources Compatability of agriculture, natural resources, and environment Ensuring food safety Pest management strategies Biology 5 management of plant systems Improving competitiveness in global markets Sustaining forest, range, and related natural resources Biological and genetic enhancement of animal efficiency Genome mapping and genetic enhancement Impacts of new agricultural technologies on environment, people and communities Optimal health through improved nutrition Animal production systems Enhancing composition, nutritional quality, and safety of animal products Families, communities, and rural development. Developing process for new food and fiber products Alternative uses of agricultural products Animal health and welfare/well- being Ensuring product quality and safety Understanding dietary patterns and food consumer behaviors 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. 10. 11. 12. Integrated pest management Alternative agriculture systems Biotechnology Reforestation Food safety Animal waste Health impacts of consumer food choices Packaging safety Recyclable and biodegradable packaging Solid waste disposal Sustainable farming practices Toxic and hazardous waste disposal APPENDIX D COVER LETTERS AND QUESTIONNAIRES THREE-STAGE DELPHI 115 April 3, 1992 1- Dear 2-: we would like your assistance in helping to define important consumer- type issues facing Michigan people. You are one of only fifty (50) people in Michigan who will be asked to help us in this study. we hope that you will take time to read this letter, become familiar with what we want to do and indicate your acceptance on the enclosed self- addressed, stamped postcard. Following are some questions and answers that will help you make your choice. 1. What will you be asked to do? You will be asked to respond to three (3) surveys that move from many issues down to a few critical consumer-type issues. 2. How long will it take? The study will take approximately six (6) weeks, including mail time. 3. Is there any expense to you? No. All surveys will include stamped return envelopes. Your time is what we need. 4. Will your name be used? Your name will not be used in any part of the study. The study insures confidentiality. 5. what will you receive from this study? You will receive a final copy of the results upon request. More importantly, you will know you have helped identify the concerns of Michigan people. 6. How will this information be used? The most important issues will become high priority items for future study. We hope you will accept this privilege of identifying Michigan issues. Please return the enclosed postcard with your answer. we anxiously await your reply. If we do not receive your postcard we will contact you during the evening of March 25 or 26, 1992. Please contact us if you have any questions. Thank you for taking time to read this letter and hopefully for participating in this study. Sincerely, Jack Elliot Gwen Dado Project Director Graduate Assistant 116 March 18, 1992 Dear: Please use this card to indicate your choice for participation in the study. Please circle your answer. YES I want to help identify issues that concern the people of Michigan. MO I do not want to help identify issues that concern the people of Michigan. If we do not receive this postcard we will call you during the evening of March 25 or 26, 1992. 117 April 3, 1992 1- Dear 2-: Thank you for agreeing to participate in this study to determine issues that are important to the people of Michigan. Please complete the enclosed survey and return it within one day of receiving it. Please use the enclosed self-addressed-stamped envelope to return the survey. The issues listed in this survey were chosen because they appeared in several research articles as being important. The final results will be shared with you upon request. You will receive two (2) more updated versions of this survey during April and May. This study uses several rounds of mailing surveys, reviewing responses, developing updated versions of the survey and mailing them out again to get the group's opinions and ideas. It is W that you return your survey imm- This inn-ditto response allows us to look at results and prepare the next updated version of the survey. If you have a different address where you would like the next versions of the survey mailed please contact Diane Verlinde or us at (517) 355- 6580. Do not include your address with the survey because we want to maintain confidentiality. Thank you for helping with this study on important issues facing the people of Michigan. You indicate your voluntary agreement to participate by completing and returning this questionnaire. Please contact us if you have any questions. Sincerely, Jack Elliot Gwen Dado Project Director Graduate Assistant Michigan Issues - Survey #1 W 118 The following list of items were identified by us as the most important consumer-type issues facing the people of Michigan. Please indicate how important you feel the item is by circling the correct number. Please add a comment stating your beliefs about the issue in the space provided. Levels of importance: 1 - Not important 2 I Low importance 3 I very important 4 8 Extremely important (circle the response) 1 2 3 4 1. Food safety. Comments: 1 2 3 4 2. Greenhouse effect. Comments: 1 2 3 4 3. Clean air. Comments: 1 2 3 4 4. Groundwater. Comments: 1 2 3 4 5. Property taxes. Comments: 1 2 3 4 6. Landfills: Comments: 1 2 3 4 7. Use of Michigan land (examples: forests, state parks, shorelines, etc.) Comments: l 2 3 4 8. Acid rain. Comments: 1 2 3 4 9. Attracting tourists. Comments: 1 2 3 4 10. Lawn pesticide use. Comments: 1 2 3 4 11. Agricultural pesticide use. Comments: (turn over) Iaevels of importance: 119 Net important Low importance Very important Extremely important .UNO-I III. (Circle the response) 1 2 3 4 1234: 1234 .1 2 £3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 12. Organic farming. Comments: 13. Genetic engineering. Comments: 14. International food trade. Comments: 15. Recycling. Comments: 16. Understanding how food moves from producer to your Comments: 17. Disposal of animal wastes as it relates to food production Comments: 18. Animal rights/welfare. Comments: 19. Saving farmland. Comments: 20. Wetlands. Comments: 120 April 15, 1992 1... Dear 2~: The response to the first Michigan Issues survey was outstanding. Please take a few more minutes and complete the enclosed second survey and return it in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope within one day of receiving it, if at all possible. The purpose of this survey is to explore the disagreements that developed in the first questionnaire and continue narrowing down to a few critical issues. Thank you for participating in the second step of this process. Your final questionnaire will be mailed April 29, 1992. Please contact us if you have any questions. Sincerely, Jack Elliot Gwen Dado Project Director Graduate Assistant 121 Michigan Issues - Survey #2 881988.18889191991 The following issues facing Michigan people are listed in order of importance. The order was determined by individuals who responded to the first survey. However the comments revealed differing views of why each item was important. The purpose of this questionnaire is to determine the extent of agreement and disagreement among respondents of each issue. Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement by circling the appropriate number. If needed, please add a comment to clarify your response. Levels of agreement: 1 I Strongly disagree 2 I Disagree 3 I Agree 4 I Strongly agree *** I most respondents indicated this issue was very important. ** I most respondents indicated this issue was not important. (circle the appropriate response) 1 2 3 4 1.*** Farmland must be preserved in order to have food now and in the future. Comments: l 2 3 4 2.*** Recycling programs within Michigan should be more uniform. Comments: l 2 3 4 3.*** Michigan should increase air quality through government regulation. Comments: 1 2 3 4 4.*** Groundwater quality may be a more serious problem than currently believed because of insufficient knowledge. Comments: 1 2 3 4 S.*** Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills. Comments: 1 2 3 4 6.*** Food safety should be improved even if it means higher food prices. Comments: 1 2 3 4 7.*** Property tax reform measures should be introduced. Comments: (turn over) Levels of agreement: (circle the appropriate respon 1 2 3 4 122 1 I Strongly disagree 2 I Disagree 3 I Agree 4 I Strongly agree se) 8.*** Michigan farmers should decrease their use of 9.eee pesticides. Comments: Michigan needs to increase efforts to promote tourism. Cements : lO.*** Lawn owners should decrease their use of pesticides/fertilizers. Comments: 110*. It is important to maintain Michigan lands (forests, state parks, shorelines, etc.) as natural sites of beauty for Michigan natives and tourists. Comments: 12.** wetlands need to be protected and preserved because 13** 14.** 15.** 16.** they are needed for the survival of wildlife. Comments: Educational programs should be created to inform consumers about how food is produced. Comments: The Greenhouse effect is an overblown issue. Comments: International food trade is important to all nations' economies. Comments: Animal wastes should be used only on crops grown for animal consumption. Comments: (turn over) Levels of agreement: 123 I Strongly disagree I Disagree I Agree I Strongly agree .UN.‘ (circle the appropriate response) 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 l7.** Acid rain is not a problem in Michigan. Comments: 18.** Organic farming is difficult to do on a large scale. Comments: (next page) l9.** Animals need to be respected however, we need to stress human rights over animal rights. Comments: 20.** People need to be better informed about genetic engineering. Comments: 124 April 29, 1992 1.. Dear 2-: This is the last Michigan Issues questionnaire. Please take a few minutes and complete the enclosed form and return it to me in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope within one day of receiving it, if at all possible. The purpose of this final questionnaire is to reach consensus on the important issues facing Michigan consumers. The response to the first two questionnaires has been great! We appreciate your previous assistance and encourage you to participate in the process one last time. If you would like a copy of the final report please contact Diane Verlinde at the address or phone number listed on this letter. we will mail copies in July. Please contact us if you have any questions. Thank you for helping with this study on important issues facing the people of Michigan. Sincerely, Jack Elliot Gwen Dado Project Director Graduate Assistant 125 Michigan Issues - Survey #3 W The following Michigan issues facing Michigan people are listed in order of importance as determined by individuals who responded to the first Michigan Issues questionnaire. The percent of respondents who agreed or disagreed with the issue is listed in parenthesis above the response numbers. For example, 0: of the respondents d 99:9991Y__1:99:::9_9: {giggggggg with statement number 1 and 100: of the respondents ggggngly gggggg_gg_§g;ggg with statement number 1. The purpose of this questionnaire is to reach consensus on each issue. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the statement by circling the appropriate number. clarify your response. Levels of agreement: :aa - Extremely important issue 11_nggggg‘ please add a comment to 1 I I disagree with the statement. 2 I I agree with the statement. ** I Very important issue (circle the appropriate response) Die: (0:) (100:) 1 2 (9*) 1 (23:) 1 (15:) 1 (17:) 1 (46:) 1 (23:) 1 (91:) 2 (77:) 2 (85:) 2 (83:) 2 (54:) 2 (77%) 2 1.*ee 2...: 3.** 4.** 5.** 6.** 7.** Farmland must be preserved in order to have food now and in the future. Comments: Property tax reform should be introduced. Comments: Food safety should be improved even if it means higher food prices. Comments: It is important to maintain Michigan lands (forests, state parks, shorelines, etc.) as natural sites of beauty for Michigan natives and tourists. Comments: Groundwater quality may be a more serious problem than currently believed because of insufficient knowledge. Comments: Michigan should increase air quality through government regulation. Comments: Recycling programs within Michigan should be more uniform. Comments: (turn over) Levels of agreement: 126 1 I I disagree with the statement. 2 I I agree with the statement. (circle the appropriate response) Dis: (8‘) 1 (31:) 1 (31:) 1 (54:) 1 (36:) 1 (38:) 1 Agree (92:) 2 (69:) 2 (69:) 2 (46:) 2 (64:) 2 (629) 2 (31:)(69:) 1 2 (75:) 1 (23:) 1 (23:) 1 ** I very important issue (25:) 2 (77%) 2 (779) 2 8.9. 9.** 10.** 11.** 12.** 13.** 14.** 15.* 16.* 17.* Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills Comments: Michigan needs to increase efforts to promote tourism. Comments: Michigan farmers should decrease their use of pesticides. Comments: Educational programs should be created to inform consumers about how food is produced. Comments: Organic farming could be accomplished on a large scale. Comments: The Greenhouse effect is an issue of concern in Michigan. Comments: Lawn owners should decrease their use of pesticides/fertilizers. Comments: Animal wastes should be used only on crops grown for animal consumption. Comments: Wetlands need to be protected and preserved because they are needed for the survival of wildlife. Comments: International food trade is important to all nations' economies. Comments: (next page) * I low importance issue 127 Levels of agreement: 1 I I disagree with the statement 2 I I agree with the statement (circle the appropriate response) 21:: 99:99 (25:) (75:) l 2 18.* People need to better informed about genetic engineering. Comments: (17:) (83:) l 2 l9.* Animals need to be respected however, we need to stress human rights over animal rights. Comments: (15:) (85:) 1 2 20.* Acid rain is a concern in Michigan. Comments: * I low importance issue APPENDIX E COVER LETTERS AND QUESTIONNAIRES FOUR-STAGE DELPHI 128 April 3, 1992 1.... Dear 2-: we would like your assistance in helping to define important consumer- type issues facing Michigan people. You are one of only fifty (50) people in Michigan who will be asked to help us in this study. We hope that you will take time to read this letter, become familiar with what we want to do and indicate your acceptance on the enclosed self- addressed, stamped postcard. Following are some questions and answers that will help you make your choice. 1. What will you be asked to do? You will be asked to respond to four (4) surveys that move from many issues down to a few critical consumer-type issues. 2. How long will it take? The study will take approximately six (6) weeks, including mail time. 3. Is there any expense to you? No. All surveys will include stamped return envelopes. Your time is what we need. 4. Will your name be used? Your name will not be used in any part of the study. The study insures confidentiality. 5. What will you receive from this study? You will receive a final copy of the results upon request. More importantly, you will know you have helped identify the concerns of Michigan people. 6. How will this information be used? The most important issues will become high priority items for future study. We hope you will accept this privilege of identifying Michigan issues. Please return the enclosed postcard with your answer. We anxiously await your reply. If we do not receive your postcard we will contact you during the evening of March 25 or 26, 1992. Please contact us if you have any questions. Thank you for taking time to read this letter and hopefully for participating in this study. Sincerely, Jack Elliot Gwen Dado Project Director Graduate Assistant 129 March 18, 1992 Dear: Please use this card to indicate your choice for participation in the study. Please circle your answer. YES I want to help identify issues that concern the people of Michigan. MO I do not want to help identify issues that concern the people of Michigan. If we do not receive this postcard we will call you during the evening of March 25 or 26, 1992. 130 April 3, 1992 1.- Dear 2-: Thank you for agreeing to participate in this study to determine issues that are important to the people of Michigan. Please complete the enclosed survey and return it within one day of receiving it. Please use the enclosed self-addressed-stamped envelope to return the survey. You will receive three (3) more updated versions of this survey during April and May. This study uses several rounds of mailing surveys, reviewing responses, developing updated versions of the survey and mailing them out again to get the group's opinions and ideas. It is W that you return your survey 1mm. Thi- immediate response allows us to look at results and prepare the next updated version of the survey. If you have a different address where you would like the next versions of the survey mailed please contact Diane Verlinde or us at (517) 355- 6580. Do not include your address with the survey because we want to maintain confidentiality. Thank you for helping with this study on important issues facing the people of Michigan. You indicate your voluntary agreement to participate by completing and returning this questionnaire. Please contact us if you have any questions. Sincerely, Jack Elliot Gwen Dado Project Director Graduate Assistant 131 Michigan Issues Survey #1 881988.18839191391 Responsibility: Identify the concerns of Michigan people as they relate to the environment/out-of-doors, the food you eat and how it is produced, the use of Michigan land, pollution, etc. Procedure: The study is conducted through several rounds of mail questionnaires. The ideas generated will allow us to move from many issues down to a few critical issues. These ideas will be used for further studies. 1. Please list at least five issues that you think are consumer-type concerns of the people of Michigan. 132 April 15, 1992 1- Dear 2-: The response to the first Michigan Issues survey was outstanding. Please take a few more minutes and complete the enclosed second survey and return it in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope within one day of receiving it, if at all possible. The purpose of this survey is to explore the issues that developed in the first questionnaire and continue narrowing down to a few critical concerns. Thank you for participating in the second step of this process. Your next questionnaire will be mailed April 29, 1992. Please contact us if you have any questions. Sincerely, Jack Elliot Gwen Dado Project Director Graduate Assistant 133 Michigan Issues - Survey #2 881988.18899191991 The following list of items were identified by the respondents to Survey 9 l as the most important issues facing Michigan consumers. Please indicate how important you feel the item is by circling the appropriate number. Please add a comment indicating your beliefs about each item in the space provided. Levels of importance: Not important Low importance Very important Extremely important (bu-IMP IIII (circle the appropriate response) 1 2 3 4 1. 10. 11. Water pollution. Comments: Food safety. Comments: Landfills. Comments: Air pollution. Comments: Michigan economy. Comments: Drinking water. Comments: Property taxes. Comments: Recycling. Comments: Agricultural chemical use. Comments: Disposal of nuclear and chemical waste. Comments: Saving Farmland. Comments: (turn over) Levels of importance: 134 Not important Low importance Very important Extremely important owner- 88" (circle the appropriate response) 1 2 3 4 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. Michigan education system. Comments: State parks. Comments: Toxic waste. Comments: Maintenance of Michigan roads. Comments: Logging of Michigan woodlands. Comments: Contaminated freshwater fish. Comments: Use of Michigan land. Comments: Wetlands. Comments: Abandoned oil wells/drill sites. Comments: Any other issue(s) that you feel needs to be addressed during the next mailing. Comments: 135 April 29, 1992 1~ Dear 2~: The response to the second Michigan Issues survey was great. Please take a few more minutes and complete the enclosed third survey and return it in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope within one day of receiving it, if at all possible. The purpose of this survey is to explore the disagreements that developed in the second questionnaire and continue narrowing down to a few critical issues. Thank you for participating in the third step of this process. Your final questionnaire will be mailed May 12, 1992. Please contact us if you have any questions. Sincerely, Jack Elliot Gwen Dado Project Director Graduate Assistant 136 Michigan Issues - Survey #3 891938.18899191991 The following issues facing Michigan people are listed in order of importance. The order was determined by individuals who responded to the second survey. However, the comments revealed differing views ON why each item was important. The purpose of this questionnaire is to determine the extent of agreement and disagreement among respondents of each issue. Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement by circling the appropriate number. ;1_ngggggL please add a comment to clarify your response. Levels of agreement: I Strongly disagree I Disagree I Agree I Strongly agree OUNH (circle the appropriate response) l 2 3 4 l.*** Michigan can be proud of its kindergarten through twelfth grade educational system. Comments: 1 2 3 4 2.*** Processes that generate nuclear wastes should be banned because the wastes cannot be disposed of properly. Comments: l 2 3 4 3.** Recycling programs within Michigan should be more uniform. Comments: 1 2 3 4 4.** Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills. Comments: 1 2 3 4 5.** The methods of toxic waste disposal are adequate: the problem lies with communication. Comments: 1 2 3 4 6.** Currently, Michigan has good, pure drinking water. Comments: l 2 3 4 7.** The water pollution we acknowledge is only a small part of the real problem. Comments: *** I extremely important issue ** I very important issue (turn over) Levels of agreement: (circle the appropriate 1 2 3 4 8.** 9.** 10.** 11.** 12.** 13.** 14.** 15.** 16.** 17.** ** I very important 137 I Strongly disagree I Disagree I Agree I Strongly agree .UNH response) Michigan's economy must begin to rely on other areas besides the automobile industry. Comments: Property tax reform measures should be introduced. Comments: Farmland must be preserved in order to have food now and in the future. Comments: Well maintained roads are worth paying for. Comments: Sources of pollution which contaminate our freshwater fish must be found and stopped. Comments: Wetlands need to be protected and preserved because they are needed for the survival of wildlife. Comments: Michigan should increase air quality through government regulation. Comments: Current food safety standards meet consumers' needs. Comments: Michigan farmers should decrease their use of agricultural chemicals. Comments: Michigan land usage should be based on well developed plans. Comments: (next page) 138 Levels of agreement: I Strongly disagree I Disagree I Agree I Strongly agree (own:- (circle the appropriate response) 1 2 3 4 18.** Intense logging is sound if replanting is adequate. Comments: l 2 3 4 19.** Abandoned oil well/drill sites should be restored to their undisturbed state. Comments: 1 2 3 4 20.* Because of their importance, the quality of Michigan state parks is the responsibility of all Michigan people. Comments: an u very important iSSUO e . 10w importance issue 139 May 12, 1992 1... Dear 2-: This is the last Michigan Issues questionnaire. Please take a few minutes and complete the enclosed form and return it to me in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope within one day of receiving it, if at all possible. The purpose of this final questionnaire is to reach consensus on the important issues facing Michigan consumers. The response to the first three questionnaires has been great! We appreciate your previous assistance and encourage you to participate in the process one last time. If you would like a copy of the final report please contact Diane verlinde at the address or phone number listed on this letter. We will mail copies in July. Please contact us if you have any questions. Thank you for helping with this study on important issues facing the people of Michigan. Sincerely, Jack Elliot Gwen Dado Project Director Graduate Assistant 140 Michigan Issues - Survey #4 BIIHB8_188£81918L1 The following Michigan issues facing Michigan people are listed in order of importance as determined by individuals who responded to the second Michigan Issues questionnaire. The percent of respondents who agreed or disagreed with the issue from the third Michigan Issues questionnaire is listed in the parentheses above the numbers. For example, 56: of the respondents g3IQng1y_gi§gg;g§g_g;_giggg;§gg with statement number 1 and 44: of the respondents ggggng1y_§g;ggg_gg_§ggg§g with statement number 1. The purpose of this questionnaire is to reach consensus on each issue. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the statement by circling the appropriate number. 11_nggggg, please add a comment to clarify your response. Levels of agreement: I disagree with the statement. 1- 2 I I agree with the statement. (circle the appropriate response) (56:) (44:) 1 2 1.*** Michigan can be proud of its kindergarten through twelfth grade educational system. Comments: (67:) (33:) l 2 2.*** Processes that generate nuclear wastes should be banned because the wastes cannot be disposed of properly. Comments: (0:) (100:) l 2 3.** Recycling programs within Michigan should be more uniform. Comments: (6:) (94:) l 2 4.** Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills. Comments: (69:) (31:) l 2 5.** The methods of toxic waste disposal are adequate: the problem lies with communication. Comments: (44:) (56:) 1 2 6.** Currently, Michigan has good, pure drinking water. Comments: (turn over) *** I extremely important issue ** I very important issue Levels of agreement: (circle the appropriate (5‘) 1 (0‘) 1 (12:) 1 (12:) 1 (0‘) 1 (0%) 1 (13:) 1 (279) 1 (31:) 1 (20:) 1 (94:) 2 (100:) 2 (88:) 2 (88:) 2 (100:) 2 (100:) 2 (87:) 2 (73:) 2 (69:) 2 (80:) 2 7.** 8.** 9.** 10.** 11.** 12.** 13.** 14.** 15.** 16.** 141 l I I disagree with the statement. 2 I I agree with the statement. response) The water pollution we acknowledge is only a small part of the real problem. Comments: Michigan's economy must begin to rely on other areas besides the automobile industry. Comments: Property tax reform measures should‘be introduced. Comments: Farmland must be preserved in order to have food now and in the future. Comments: Well maintained roads are worth paying for. Comments: Sources of pollution which contaminate our freshwater fish must be found and stopped. Comments: Wetlands need to be protected and preserved because they are needed for the survival of wildlife. Comments: Michigan should increase air quality through government regulation. Comments: Current food safety standards meet consumers' needs. Comments: Michigan farmers should decrease their use of agricultural chemicals. Comments: (next page) ** very important issue Levels of agreement: (circle the appropriate (0:) (1008) 1 2 17.** (50:) (50:) 1 2 18.** (0:) (100:) 1 2 19.** (19:) (81:) 1 2 20.* 142 l I I disagree with the statement. 2 I I agree with the statement. response) Michigan land usage should be based on well developed plans. Comments: Intense logging is sound if replanting is adequate. Comments: Abandoned oil well/drill sites should be restored to their undisturbed state. Comments: Because of their importance, the quality of Michigan state parks is the responsibility of all Michigan people. Comments: ** I very important issue * I low importance issue APPENDIX E SUPPLEMENTAL DATA ANALYSIS THREE-STAGE DELPHI 143 Michigan Issues Three-stage Delphi - Questionnaire #l The I'A.verage" values listed below are based on the following four point Likert scale. Levels of importance: 1. Food safety. 929:999_§191 Value Label Low importance Very important Extremely important 1 I Not important 2 I Low importance 3 I Very important 4 I Extremely important 2. Greenhouse effect. Axerase_zi§1 Value Label Not important Low importance very important Extremely important Frequency Percent 3 21.4 2 14.3 9 64.3 Total 14 100.0 2 3 3 IIIIIIIIIII ! 4 9 1 L, 1 .21 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Value Frequency Percent 1 2 14.3 2 4 28.6 3 5 35.7 4 3 21.4 Total 14 100.0 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 2 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 4 5 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 hWNH 144 3. Clean air. W velue Label value Frequency Percent Low importance 2 2 14.3 very important 3 6 42.9 Extremely important 4 6 42.9 Total 14 100.0 2—2 3—6 4 6 I 1 1 1 1 1 O 2 4 6 8 10 4. Groundwater. W value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 1 7.1 Low importance 2 1 7.1 very important 3 4 28.6 Extremely important 4 8 57.1 Total 14 100.0 Not important — 1 LOW importance _ 1 V“? imI’m-“NI"- — 4 3891‘le 1990:9999 # 3 I l I I J O N & a: (n S 145 5. Property taxes. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Low importance 2 2 15.4 very important 3 2 15.4 Extremely important 4 9 69.2 Total 13 100.0 1'0" W393“ _ 2 Vory importlnt — 2 Extremely important J L l 0 2 4 ‘ 6 6. Landfills. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 l 7.7 very important 3 8 61.5 Extremely important 4 4 30.8 Total 13 100.0 NOE important _ 1 very important 8 Extremely important I 146 7. Use of Michigan land (examples: forests, state parks, shoreline, etc.). W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Low importance 2 1 7.7 very important 3 6 46.2 Extremely important 4 6 46.2 Total 13 100.0 Low importance Illlll 1 V“? mwnmt _ 5 Extremely important 6 I 1, 1 _L_ 1 _ 0 2 4 6 8 10 8. Acid rain. Amen—23.23. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 3 23.1 Low importance 2 5 38.5 very important 3 4 30.8 Extremely important 4 1 7.7 Total 13 100.0 Low importance 5 V”? 1990““?- — 2 Extremely important F 1 1 1 0 1 2 3 4 S 1. u 147 9. Attracting tourists. W value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 l 7.7 Low importance 2 3 23.1 very important 3 4 30.8 Extremely important 4 5 38.5 Total 13 100.0 Not mportwt — 1 W ”fun“ _ 3 V“? “90‘9“"- — 4 33¢!le imPOrtmt _5 I l l I l 0 1 2 3 4 5 10. Lawn pesticide use. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 3 21.4 Low importance 2 3 21.4 Very important 3 5 35.7 Extremely important 4 3 21.4 Total 14 100.0 148 11. Agricultural pesticide use. 929:999_2:9§ Value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 1 7.1 Low importance 2 3 21.4 very important 3 7 50.0 Extremely important 4 3 21.4 Total 14 100.0 Not important llllll 1 11°" 1990’:th _ 3 Very important 7 Extremely important 3 I 1 1 21 6 _ 0 2 4 8 10 12. Organic farming. A!9:999.Z:§1 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 l 7.1 Low importance 2 7 50.0 very important 3 2 14.3 Extremely important 4 4 28.6 Total 14 100.0 "0t important — 1 Low importance 7 V“? Wail“ _ 5 Extremely important TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 4 J i I l l 0 2 4 6 8 10 149 13. Genetic engineering. W1 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 2 15.4 Low importance 2 7 53.8 very important 3 2 15.4 Extremely important 4 2 15.4 Total 13 100.0 "09 1990:9999 — 2 Low importance 7 V"? i“13°11'99““ _ 5 Extremely important F 2 I l J 0 2 4 6 8 — 14. International food trade. W33: Value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 3 23.1 Low importance 2 4 30.8 Very important 3 4 30.8 Extremely important 4 2 15.4 Total 13 100.0 80‘: Wrtmt — 3 L0" “”3999“ _ 4 Very important 4 Extremely important 2 150 15. Recycling. 9:9:999_§:Z1 value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 1 7.1 very important 3 8 57.1 Extremely important 4 5 35.7 Total 14 100.0 NOE important _ 1 Very important 8 Extremely important 6 l _ 1— 16. Understanding how food moves from producer to your table. A!9:999.2112 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 l 7.1 Low importance 2 6 42.9 Very important 3 2 14.3 Extremely important 4 5 35.7 Total 14 100.0 NOE important _ 1 Low importance 6 V'I’Y ”Want _ 5 3"“le “Fran _ 5 L I l 0 2 4 6 8 10 L 151 17. Disposal of animal wastes as it relates to food production. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 2 15.4 Low importance 2 5 38.5 very important 3 4 30.8 Extremely important 4 2 15.4 Total 14 100.0 80‘: “P013999"- _ 2 Low importance 5 V01“? inportint * 4 Exam” 1990:9939 F I l I I 18. Animal rights/welfare. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 4 28.6 Low importance 2 4 28.6 very important 3 4 28.6 Extremely important 4 2 14.3 Total 14 100.0 LOW importm“ _ 4 Very important 4 Extremely important 2 152 19. Saving farmland. A!9:999_1:§Z Value Label Value Frequency Percent very important 3 6 42.9 Extremely important 4 8 57.1 Total 14 100.0 V”? “P0599“ _ 5 Extremely important 8 I I I I I 0 2 4 6 8 10 20. Wetlands. A!9:99:.2:9§ Value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 4 28.6 Low importance 2 3 21.4 very important 3 4 28.6 Extremely important 4 3 21.4 "09 “Want _ 4 10" Wrt‘n“ — 3 very important 4 Extremely important 3 I p I I I 0 l 2 3 4 5 21. Any other issue(s) that you feel needs to be addressed during the next mailing. High taxes that are forcing people out of Michigan. Jobs Implications of growth of farm management organizations versus individual operations. Medical and treatment of elderly people. The detioration of neighborhoods, crime and police injustice. Condition of roads and highways - terrible especially compared to other states. Jobs/economy -must still diversity, replace diminish. auto industry Variable Three-stage Delphi - Questionnaire #1 3.43 2.64 3.29 3.36 3.54 3.15 3.38 2.23 3.00 2.57 2.86 2.64 2.31 2.38 3.21 2.79 2.46 2.29 3.57 2.43 Std Dev .85 1.01 .73 .93 .78 .80 .65 .93 1.00 1.09 .86 1.01 .95 1.04 .80 1.05 .97 1.07 .51 1.16 Label Food safety ”Greenhouse Effect” Clean air Groundwater Property taxes Landfills Use of MI lands Acid Rain Attracting tourists Lawn pesticides Agricultural pesticides Organic farming Genetic engineering International food trade Recycling Understanding food from farm to table Animal waste disposal Animal rights/welfare Saving farmland Wetlands 154 Michigan Issues Three stage Delphi - Questionnaire # 2 The ”Average" values listed below are based on the following four point Likert scale. Levels of agreement: 1 I Strongly disagree 2 I Disagree 3 I Agree 4 I Strongly agree 1. Farmland must be preserved in order to have food now and in the future. W Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Agree 3 5 35.7 Strongly agree 4 9 64.3 Total 14 100.0 391'“ — 5 Strongly agree 9 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 2. Recycling programs within Michigan should be more uniform. 1929:999_2:Z1 Valid ‘Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 l 7.1 Disagree 2 2 14.3 Agree 3 4 28.6 Strongly agree 4 7 50.0 Total 14 100.0 Strongly disagree _ l ”1'99“” _ 2 39:99 _ 4 Strongly agree 7 I I I I I 0 2 4 6 8 10 155 3. Michigan should increase air quality through government regulation. 899:999_Z:12 Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 l 7.1 Disagree 2 5 35.7 Agree 3 4 28.6 Strongly agree 4 4 28.6 Total 14 100.0 Strongly disagree — l ”1'99!“ —5 A‘31-'99 — Strongly agree 4 I I , I I l 0 1 2 3 4 5 4. Groundwater quality may be a more serious problem than currently believed because of insufficient knowledge. A!::999.§121 Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 1 7.7 Disagree 2 l 7.7 Agree 3 5 38.5 Strongly agree 4 6 46.2 Total 13 100.0 Strongly disagree _ 1 Disagree — l 1491"?" _ 5 “WWW ll91'“ # 5 I I I I 0 2 4 6 8 10 156 5. Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills. W Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 l 7.1 Agree 3 5 35.7 Strongly agree 4 8 57.1 Total 14 100.0 Strongly disagree — 1 391'“ — 5 Strongly agree 8 I 1 1 .1 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 6. Food safety should be improved even if it means higher food prices. W Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 1 7.1 Disagree 2 3 21.4 Agree 3 6 42.9 Strongly agree 4 4 28.6 Total 13 100.0 Strongly disagree _ l ”1'39!“ — 3 39:99 _ 5 59mm!” 991'“ F 4 1 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 — — 157 7. Property tax reform measures should be introduced. 919:999_2192 Valid value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree 2 2 16.7 Agree 3 3 25.0 Strongly agree 4 7 58.3 Total 12 100.0 1"93"" — 3 Strongly agree 7 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 8. Michigan farmers should decrease their use of pesticides. 829:999_2112 Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 2 14.3 Disagree 2 2 14.3 Agree 3 7 50.0 Strongly agree 4 3 21.4 Total 14 100.0 Strongly disagree — 2 01559:“ _ 2 Agree 7 55mm?” 991?“ F 3 1 1 0 2 4 6 mL 10 158 9. Michigan needs to increase efforts to promote tourism. W Valid value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 2 14.3 Disagree 2 2 14.3 Agree 3 6 42.9 Strongly agree 4 4 28.6 Total 14 100.0 Strongly disagree Illllllllll 2 131"“!r 9" _ 2 _ )— )—- p— — 10. Lawn owners should decrease their use of pesticides/fertilisers. W Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 2 14.3 Disagree 2 2 14.3 Agree 3 4 28.6 Strongly agree 4 6 42.9 Total 14 100.0 Strongly 61.89!” _ 2 ”1'59!“ _ 2 A917°" _ 4 Strongly agree 6 — h— I I I 0 2 4 6 8 10 159 11. It is important to maintain Michigan lands (forests, state parks, shorelines, etc.) as natural sites of beauty for Michigan natives and tourists. A!9:999.2122 Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 l 7.1 Disagree 2 l 7.1 Agree 3 5 35.7 Strongly agree 4 7 50.0 Total 14 100.0 Strongly disagree _ 1 Disagree Illlll l 39:99 _ 5 Strongly agree 7 I I I 0 2 4 6 8 10 12. wetlands need to be protected and preserved because they are needed for the survival of wildlife. W Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 2 14.3 Disagree 2 l 7.1 Agree 3 5 35.7 Strongly agree 4 6 42.9 Total 14 100.0 Strongly disagree 2 Disagree — I 1‘59“: _ 5 Strongly agree 6 11, 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 P 160 13. Educational programs should be created to inform consumers about how food is produced. 999:999_Z:§1 Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 l 7.1 Disagree 2 6 42.9 Agree 3 5 35.7 Strongly agree 4 2 14.3 Total 14 100.0 Strongly disagree — l Disagree 6 Agree 5 Strongly agree 2 I 1 I I I I 0 2 4 6 8 10 14. The greenhouse effect is an overblown issue. A!9:999.212§ Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 3 21.4 Disagree 2 6 42.9 Agree 3 2 14.3 Strongly agree 4 3 21.4 Total 14 100.0 5530991? ““91““ _ 3 Disagree 5 393‘“ — 2 Strongly agree 3 I I I I I l 0 2 4 6 8 10 161 15. International food trade is important to all nations' economies. A!9:999.Z:12 Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 2 14.3 Disagree 2 2 14.3 Agree 3 7 50.0 Strongly agree 4 3 21.4 Total 14 100.0 Strongly disagree _ 2 ”1'59!“ _ 2 Agree 7 551:0le 592“ F 3 1 1 . 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 F 16. Animal wastes should be used only on crops grown for animal consumption. W Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 3 23.1 Disagree 2 7 53.8 Agree 3 2 15.4 Strongly agree 4 1 7.7 Total 13 100.0 55“"le 41539:“ _ 3 Disagree 7 391?“ — 2 Strongly agree 1 I 1 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 — b 162 17. Acid rain is not a problem in Michigan. A!9:999.1111 Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 5 38.5 Disagree 2 6 46.2 Agree 3 2 15.4 Total 13 100.0 0 2 4 6 8 10 18. Organic farming is difficult to do on a large scale. W Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 2 16.7 Disagree 2 5 41.7 Agree 3 2 16.7 Strongly agree 4 3 25.0 Total 12 100.0 55203911! ‘15-'59“. 1_ 2 Disagree I—S 491'“ _ 5‘30"le 591'“ F 3 1 1 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 _ — 163 19. Animals need to be respected, however, we need to stress human rights over animal rights. A!9:999.1:1§ Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree 2 2 15.4 Agree 3 4 30.8 Strongly agree 4 7 53.8 Total 13 100.0 293“ — 4 Strongly agree 7 I 1, 1 1 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 20. People need to be better informed about genetic engineering. W Valid Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 1 7.7 Disagree 2 2 15.4 Agree 3 5 38.5 Strongly agree 4 5 38.5 Total 13 100.0 Strongly disagree _ l 01099!” — 2 1491“"? _5 Strongly 391'“ _5 L 1 I I I I 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable 164 Three-stage Delphi - Questionnaire #2 3.64 3.21 2.79 3.23 3.43 2.93 3.42 2.79 2.86 3.00 3.29 3.07 2.57 2.36 2.79 2.08 1.77 2.50 3.38 3.08 Std Dev .50 .97 .97 N Label Saving farmland Recycling Air quality Groundwater quality Landfill alternatives Food safety Property tax reform Decrease pesticide use Promote tourism Decrease lawn chemical use Maintain MI lands Wetlands Educational program on food "Greenhouse Effect" International food trade Animal wastes Acid rain Organic farming Animals need to be respected Genetic engineering 165 Michigan Issues Three-stage Delphi - Questionnaire #3 The scale: 1 I I disagree with the statement 2 I I agree with the statement 1. Farmland must be preserved in order to have food now and in the future. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 l 7.1 Agree with statement 2 13 92.9 Total 14 100.0 Disagree - 1 Agree 13 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 20 2. Property tax reform should be introduced. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 l 9.1 Agree with statement 2 10 90.9 Total 11 100.0 D1889!“ - 1 1“91"“! — 10 I J ’1 I I I 0 2 4 6 8 10 3. Food safety should be improved even if it means higher food prices. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 7 50.0 Agree with statement 2 7 50.0 Total 14 100.0 ”1'99". — 7 Agree 7 P — I I I 0 2 4 6 8 10 166 4. It is important to maintain Michigan lands (forests, state parks, shorelines, etc.) as natural sites of beauty for Michigan natives and tourists. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 1 7.1 Agree with statement 2 13 92.9 Total 14 100.0 Disagree . 1 Agree 13 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 20 5. Groundwater quality may be a more serious problem than currently believed because of insufficient knowledge. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 3 21.4 Agree with statement 2 11 78.6 Total 14 100.0 Disagree llllll 3 Agree 11 I I 1 I I I 0 4 8 l2 16 20 6. Michigan should increase air quality through government regulation. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 9 64.3 Agree with statement 2 5 35.7 Total 14 100.0 ”1'59". —5 9 Agree I L .1 1 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 167 7. Recycling programs within Michigan should be more uniform. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 3 21.4 Agree with statement 2 11 78.6 Total 14 100.0 31559:“ _ 3 Agree 11 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 8 l2 16 20 8. Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 3 21.4 Agree with statement 2 11 78.6 Total 14 100.0 ”1'99". — 3 Agree 11 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 20 9. Michigan needs to increase efforts to promote tourism. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 3 21.4 Agree with statement 2 11 78.6 Total 14 100.0 ”1'99“. — 3 Agree 11 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 20 168 10. Michigan farmers should decrease their use of pesticides. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 3 21.4 Agree with statement 2 11 78.6 Total 14 100.0 Disagree Illlll 3 Agree 11 I 1 1 11 1 1 0 . 4 8 12 16 20 11. Educational programs should be created to inform consumers about how food is produced. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 10 76.9 Agree with statement 2 3 23.1 Total 13 100.0 Disagree 10 Agree 5 12. Organic farming could be accomplished on a large scale. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 7 53.8 Agree with statement 2 6 46.2 Total 13 100.0 Disagree 7 Agree 5 169 13. The ”Greenhouse Effect“ is an issue of concern in Michigan. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 7 50.0 Agree with statement 2 7 50.0 Total 14 100.0 D“N91". _ 7 Agree 7 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 14. Lawn owners should decrease their use of pesticides/fertilisers. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 4 28.6 Agree with statement 2 10 71.4 Total 14 100.0 131-o9". _ 4 A9:“ IIIIIlIlIIIlIIIlllIIIIlIIlIIllllllllllllllllllllllll 10 1 1 1 11 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 15. Animal wastes should be used only on crops grown for animal consumption. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 9 69.2 Agree with statement 2 4 30.8 Total 13 100.0 Disagree 9 Agree 2 170 16. Wetlands need to be protected and preserved because they are needed for the survival of wildlife. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 2 15.4 Agree with statement 2 11 84.6 Total 13 100.0 01.891?” — 2 Agree 11 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 8 l2 16 20 17. International food trade is important to all nations' economies. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 3 21.4 Agree with statement 2 11 78.6 Total 14 100.0 m“9““ — 3 Agree 11 I 1 1 11 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 20 18. People need to be better informed about genetic engineering. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 4 28.6 Agree with statement 2 10 71.4 Total 14 100.0 ”1'99“. _ 4 Agree 10 J1, 1 1 1 1 171 19. Animals need to be respected however, we need to stress human rights over animal rights. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 1 7.1 Agree with statement 2 13 92.9 Total 14 100.0 Disagree ..- 1 Agree 13 I I I J I 0 4 8 12 16 20 20. Acid rain is a concern in Michigan. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 6 42.9 Agree with statement 2 8 57.1 Total 14 100.0 31559". 1— 5 Agree 8 1 1 1 1 14 0 2 4 6 8 10 172 Three-stage Delphi - Questionnaire #3 Variable Mean Std Dev N Label Q1 1.93 .27 14 1. Saving farmland Q2 1.91 .30 ll 2. PrOperty tax reform Q3 1.50 .52 14 3. Food safety Q4 1.93 .27 14 4. Maintain MI lands Q5 1.79 .43 14 5. Groundwater quality Q6 1.36 .50 14 6. Air quality Q7 1.79 .43 14 7. Recycling Q8 1.79 .43 14 8. Landfill alternatives Q9 1.79 .43 14 9. Promote tourism Q10 1.79 .43 14 10. Decrease pesticide use Q11 1.23 .44 13 11. Educational program on food Q12 1.46 .52 l3 12. Organic farming Q13 1.50 .52 l4 l3 ”Greenhouse Effect“ Q14 1.71 .47 14 14. Decrease lawn chemical use Q15 1.31 .48 13 15. Animal wastes Q16 1.85 .38 13 16. Wetlands Q17 1.79 .43 l4 17. International food trade Q18 1.71 .47 14 18. Genetic engineering Q19 1.93 .27 14 19. Animals need to be respected 920 1.57 .51 14 20. Acid rain APPENDIX C SUPPLEMENTAL DATA ANALYSIS POUR-STAGE DELPHI 173 Michigan Issues Four-stage Delphi - Questionnaire #2 The average values listed below are based on the following four point Likert scale. Levels of importance: 1 I Not important 2 I Low importance 3 I Very important 4 I Extremely important 1. water pollution. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Low importance 2 3 15.8 Very important 3 7 36.8 Extremely important 4 9 47.4 Total 19 100.0 V“? j-|“P°1"=‘“‘5 _ 7 Extremely important 9 1 I I I I 0 2 4 6 8 10 2. Food safety. 919M Value Label Value Frequency Percent Low importance 2 7 36.8 very important 3 5 26.3 Extremely important 4 7 36.8 174 3. Landfills. Value Label Value Frequency Percent very important 3 11 57.9 Extremely important 4 8 42.1 Total 19 100.0 very important 11 Extremely important 8 0 4 8 12 4. Air pollution. A!::999.1:11 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Low importance 2 4 22.2 very important 3 8 44.4 Extremely important 4 6 33.3 Total 19 100.0 2°" j-"'P°’-"="W=" _ 4 16 20 Very important 8 Extremely important 5 5. Michigan economy. Azerase_112§ Value Label Not important Low importance Very important Extremely important Not important Low importance very important Extremely important 6. Drinking water Axerage_31§Q Value Label Not important Low importance Very important Extremely important Not important Low importance very important Extremely important 175 Value Frequency Percent l l 5.6 2 2 11.1 3 6 33.3 4 9 50.0 Total 19 100.0 O 2 4 6 8 10 Value Frequency Percent 1 1 5.6 2 l 5.6 3 4 22.2 4 12 66.7 Total 19 100.0 Ill 1 III 1 IIIIIIIIIII 4 12 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 20 176 7. Property taxes. W1 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 l 5.3 Low importance 2 3 15.8 very important 3 6 31.6 Extremely important 4 9 47.4 Total 19 100.0 Not important 1 V511! “WWI"mt _ 5 Extremely important 9 8. Recycling. A!9:999.2112 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Low importance 2 2 10.5 very important 3 9 47.4 Extremely important 4 8 42.1 Total 19 100.0 11°" 19130355955 — 2 V“? ”P025595 _ 9 Extremely important 8 I 1 1, 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 177 9. Agricultural chemical use. A!9:999.2:§§ Value Label Value Frequency Percent Low importance 2 5 29.4 very important 3 9 52.9 Extremely important 4 3 17.6 Total 17 100.0 5°" “”35““ — 5 Very important 9 Extremely important 5 Pl )— )— 1—- 10. Disposal of nuclear and chemical wastes. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Low importance 2 l 6.3 Very important 3 5 31.3 Extremely important 4 10 62.5 11. A!!:999.1112 Saving Farmland Value Label Not important Low importance Very important Extremely important Not important 178 Value Frequency Percent l l 5.9 2 2 11.8 3 8 47.1 4 6 35.3 Total 17 100.0 1 Low importance — 2 Very important Extremely important 12. W Value Label Low importance Very important Extremely important Low importance - IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1!IIIIIIII 8 I I I 0 2 4 6 8 b — 10 Michigan education system. Value Frequency Percent 2 l 6.3 3 4 25.0 4 11 68.8 Total 16 100.0 1 V55? i339°15‘31“" _ 4 Extremely important 11 I 1 1, I 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 20 13. A!9:999.Z191 Value Label State parks. Low importance very important Low importance Very important 14. Toxic waste 819M Value Label Low importance very important Extremely important 179 Value Frequency Percent 2 9 52.9 3 8 47.1 17 100.0 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1’III 9 I 1 I I I I 0 2 4 6 8 10 Value Frequency Percent 2 1 5.6 3 7 38.9 4 10 55.6 Total 18 100.0 180 15. Maintenance of Michigan roads. W2 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Low importance 2 2 11.8 very important 3 8 47.1 Extremely important 4 7 41.2 Total 17 100.0 5°“ 199035595. _ 2 Vory 19130th _ 3 7 32955951? j-"'P°’-”“W= ~ I 1 I I I 0 2 4 6 8 10 16. Logging of Michigan woodlands. A!9:999.2:91 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Low importance 2 5 31.3 Very important 3 9 56.3 Extremely important 4 2 12.5 Total 16 100.0 20" j4185013591115" — 5 Very important Extremely important F 2 I I I 0 2 4 6 8 10 _ — 181 17. Contaminated freshwater fish. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Low importance 2 6 35.3 very important 3 5 29.4 Extremely important 4 6 35.3 Total 17 100.0 Low 2999553955'IIIIllIlllllllllllllllllllllglll 6 V“? 2999:5595 — 3"“le in“”21"”: _ 5 1 1 1 P 0 2 4 6 8 10 18. Use of Michigan land. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 l 6.3 Low importance 2 3 18.8 very important 3 9 56.3 Extremely important 4 3 18.8 Total 16 100.0 Not important — 1 5°" 1990555955 — 3 Very important 9 Extremely important 5 I I I J I J 0 2 4 6 8 10 182 19. wetlands. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Low importance 2 6 35.3 very important 3 7 41.2 Extremely important 4 4 23. 0 2 4 6 8 10 20. Abandoned oil wells/drill sites. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Not important 1 1 5.9 Low importance 2 7 41.2 Very important 3 7 41.2 Extremely important 4 2 11.8 Total 17 100.0 Not important — 1 2°" i~11'l’01‘55‘1115'3 _ 7 Very important — 7 Extremely important 2 I 1 1 L 0 2 4 6 8 10 — — 183 Four-stage Delphi - Questionnaire #2 Variable Mean Std Dev N Label Q1 3.32 .75 19 1. Water pollution. Q2 3.00 .88 19 2. Food safety. Q3 3.42 .51 19 3. Landfills. Q4 3.11 .76 18 4. Air pollution. Q5 3.28 .89 18 5. Michigan economy Q6 3.50 .86 18 6. Drinking water Q7 3.21 .92 19 7. Property taxes. Q8 3.32 .67 19 8. Recycling. Q9 2.88 .70 17 9. Agricultural chemical use Q10 3.56 .63 16 10. Nuclear energy Qll 3.12 .86 17 11. Saving farmland Q12 3.62 .62 16 12. Michigan education system Q13 2.47 .51 17 13. State parks. Q14 3.50 .62 18 14. Toxic waste Q15 3.29 .69 17 15. Maintaining roads Q16 2.81 .66 l6 l6. Logging Q17 3.00 .87 l7 l7. Freshwater fish Q18 2.87 .81 16 18. Land use Q19 2.88 .78 17 19. Wetlands. Q20 2.59 .80 17 20. Abandoned oil wells 184 Michigan Issues Four-stage Delphi - Questionnaire #3 The "average“ values listed below are based on the following four point Likert scale. Levels of agreement: 1 I Strongly disagree 2 I Disagree 3 I Agree 4- Strongly agree 1. Michigan can be proud of its kindergarten through twelfth grade educational system. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 6 33.3 Disagree 2 3 16.7 Agree 3 8 44.4 Strongly agree 4 l 5.6 Total 18 100.0 Strongly disagree 6 21559:“ _ 3 Agree 8 Strongly agree 1 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 2. Processes that generate nuclear wastes should be banned because the wastes cannot be disposed of properly. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 3 17.6 Disagree 2 8 47.1 Agree 3 5 29.4 Strongly agree 4 _1 5.9 Total 17 100.0 Stronqu ding!“ — 3 Disagree 3 Agree 5 Strongly agree I I 1 1 1 1, 1 8 0 2 4 6 10 185 3. Recycling programs within Michigan should be more uniform. A!9:999.2:11 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree 2 2 11.1 Agree 3 12 66.7 Strongly agree 4 4 22.2 Total 18 100.0 Disagree — 2 Agree 12 Strongly agree I I I I I I I 0 4 8 12 16 20 4. Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills. A!9:999.21§2 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree 2 l 5.6 Agree 3 10 55.6 Strongly agree 4 7 38.9 Total 18 100.0 Disagree Illlll l 1“91"” —10 Strongly agree 7 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 186 5. The methods of toxic waste disposal are adequate; the problem lies with communication. mm Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 2 11.1 Disagree 2 10 55.6 Agree 3 4 22.2 Strongly agree 4 2 11.1 Total 18 100.0 Strongly disagree _ 2 Disagree 10 Agree 5 Strongly agree 2 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 6. Currently, Michigan has good, pure drinking water. A!9:999.Z:12 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree 2 7 38.9 Agree 3 9 50.0 Strongly agree 4 2 11.1 187 7. The water pollution we acknowledge is only a small part of the real problem. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 l 5.9 Disagree 2 1 5.9 Agree 3 14 82.4 Strongly agree 4 1 5.9 Total 17 100.0 Strongly disagree - 1 Disagree Ill 1 A91:“ _ 14 Strongly agree r l 0 4 8 12 16 8. Michigan's economy must begin to rely on other areas besides the automobile industry. A!9:999.21§1 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Agree 3 7 38.9 Strongly agree 4 11 61.1 Total 18 100.0 159"“ _ 7 Strongly agree 11 I L, 1 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 188 9. Property tax reform.measures should be introduced. A!9:999.2112 Value Label value Frequency Percent Disagree 2 2 11.1 Agree 3 7 38.9 Strongly agree 4 9 50.0 Total 18 100.0 59". — 7 Strongly agree 9 10. Farmland must be preserved in order to have food now and in the future. 819:999_§:11 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree 2 3 16.7 Agree 3 10 55.6 Strongly agree 4 5 27.8 Total 18 100.0 ”1'59!“ _ 3 391'55—10 Strongly agree 5 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 189 11. Well maintained roads are worth paying for. A!9:999.2112 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Agree 3 11 61.1 Strongly agree 4 7 38.9 Total 18 100.0 Agree 11 Strongly agree 7 I 1 11 1 1 1 8 0 4 12 16 20 12. Sources of pollution which contaminate our freshwater fish must be found and stopped. 89::999_2:§Q Value Label Value Frequency Percent Agree 3 9 50.0 Strongly agree 4 9 50.0 Total 18 100.0 15‘11-"55—9 9 Strongly agree L1, 111 1 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 190 13. wetlands need to be protected and preserved because they are needed for the survival of wildlife. B!§£‘Q._1&11 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree 2 3 16.7 Agree 3 9 50.0 Strongly agree 4 6 33.3 Total 18 100.0 Agro- 9 Strongly agree 5 14. Michigan should increase their air quality through government regulation. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree 2 5 29.4 Agree 3 10 58.8 Strongly agree 4 2 11.8 Total 17 100.0 21559": — 5 Agree 10 Strongly agree 2 I 1 1 1 1 ,11 0 2 4 6 8 10 191 15. Current food safety standards meet consumers' needs. A!9:999.Zil§ Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree 2 5 27.8 Agree _ ' 3 12 66.7 Strongly agree 4 l 5.6 Total 18 100.0 16. Michigan farmers should decrease their use of agricultural chemicals. 81::999_2i99 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree 2 3 18.8 Agree 3 10 62.5 Strongly agree 4 3 18.8 Total 16 100.0 01559!“ _ 3 Agree 10 Strongly agree 3 192 17. Michigan land usage should be based on well developed plans. A!9:999.2:12 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree 2 1 6.3 Agree 3 11 68.8 Strongly agree 4 4 25.0 Total 16 100.0 Disagree - 1 Agree 11 Strongly agree 5 I I I I L l 0 4 8 12 16 20 18. Intense logging is sound if replanting is adequate. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 3 16.7 Disagree 2 5 27.8 Agree 3 7 38.9 Strongly agree 4 3 16.7 Total 18 100.0 5530991? 51559:“ _ 3 91559595 — 5 A91'“ — 7 Strongly agree 3 I 1 1 1 1 1 193 19. Abandoned oil well/drill sites should be restored to their undisturbed state. A!9:999.1i91 Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree 2 l 5.9 Agree 3 8 47.1 Strongly agree 4 8 47.1 Total 17 100.0 Disagree — 1 1"911'“ — 5 Strongly agree 8 I L I I l 0 2 4 6 8 10 20. Because of their importance, the quality of Michigan state parks is the responsibility of all Michigan people. W Value Label Value Frequency Percent Strongly disagree 1 l 6.3 Disagree 2 2 12.5 Agree 3 9 56.3 Strongly agree 4 4 25.0 Total 16 100.0 Strongly disagree — l 21559!“ _ 3 Agree 10 Strongly agree 5 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 194 Four-stage Delphi - Questionnaire #3 Variable Mean Std Dev N Label Q1 2.22 1.00 18 1. Michigan education system Q2 2.24 .83 17 2. Nuclear energy Q3 3.11 .58 18 3. Recycling Q4 3.33 .59 18 4. Landfill alternatives Q5 2.33 .84 18 5. Toxic waste disposal Q6 2.72 .67 18 6. Drinking water Q7 2.88 .60 17 7. Water pollution Q8 3.61 .50 18 8. Michigan's economy Q9 3.39 .70 18 9. Property tax reform Q10 3.11 .68 18 10. Saving farmland Q11 3.39 .50 18 11. Road maintenance Q12 3.50 .51 18 12. Freshwater fish Q13 3.17 .71 l8 l3. Wetlands Q14 2.82 .64 17 14. Air quality Q15 2.78 .55 18 15. Food safety Q16 3.00 .63 16 16. Agricultural chemical use Q17 3.19 .54 l6 17. Michigan land use Q18 2.56 .98 18 18. Logging Q19 3.41 .62 17 19. Abandoned oil wells Q20 2.94 .80 18 20. State parks 195 Michigan Issues Four-stage Delphi - Questionnaire #4 I disagree with the statement The scale: 1 I 2 I I agree with the statement 1. Michigan can be proud of its kindergarten through twelfth grade educational system. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 13 72.2 Agree with statement 2 5 27.8 Total 18 100.0 1_13 2F5 I I I I I 0 4 8 12 16 20 2. Processes that generate nuclear wastes should be banned because the wastes cannot be disposed of properly. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 12 66.7 Agree with statement 2 6 33.3 Total 18 100.0 1 12 2 1IIIIIIIIIIIIIII 5 L I 1 I I 0 4 8 12 16 20 3. Recycling programs within Michigan should be more uniform. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 l 5.6 Agree with statement 2 17 94.4 Total 18 100.0 1 ..- l 17 196 4. Michigan should research possible permanent alternatives to landfills. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Agree with statement 2 18 100.0 Total 18 100.0 2 18 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 2 5. The methods of toxic waste disposal are adequate; the problem lies with communication. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 14 82.4 Agree with statement 2 3 17.6 Total 17 100.0 6. Currently, Michigan has good, pure drinking water. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 5 27.8 Agree with statement 2 13 72.2 Total 18 100.0 1 2 TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 13 I J L I I 0 4 8 12 16 20 197 7. The water pollution we acknowledge is only a small part of the real problem. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 l 5.9 Agree with statement 2 16 94.1 Total 17 100.0 1 ..- l 16 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 20 8. Michigan's economy must begin to rely on other areas besides the automobile industry. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Agree with statement 2 18 100.0 Total 18 100.0 2 18 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 20 9. Property tax reform measures should be introduced. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Agree with statement 2 18 100.0 Total 18 100.0 2 TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 18 I I I 1 I 0 4 8 12 16 20 198 10. Farmland must be preserved in order to have food now and in the future. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 2 11.1 Agree with statement 2 16 88.9 Total 18 100.0 J-—2 2 16 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 20 11. well maintained roads are worth paying for. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Agree with statement 2 17 100.0 4...; "I?" 1633'" 2 17 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 20 12. Sources of pollution which contaminate our freshwater fish must be found and stopped. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Agree with statement 2 18 100.0 Total 18 100.0 2 TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 18 l I I I l 0 4 8 12 16 20 199 13. wetlands need to be protected and preserved because they are needed for the survival of wildlife. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 3 16.7 Agree with statement 2 15 83.3 Total 18 100.0 1—3 2 15 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 20 14. Michigan should increase air quality through government regulation. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 5 29.4 Agree with statement 2 12 70.6 Total 17 100.0 1_5 2 l2 1 1 1 1 11 0 4 8 12 16 20 15. Current food safety standards meet consumers' needs. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 4 22.2 Agree with statement 2 14 77.8 Total 18 100.0 14 ”re a. 200 16. Michigan farmers should decrease their use of agricultural chemicals. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 2 12.5 Agree with statement 2 14 87.5 Total 16 100.0 1—2 2 14 I 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 8 12 16 20 17. Michigan land usage should be based on well developed plans. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Agree with statement 2 18 100.0 Total 18 100.0 2 18 I 1 1 1 1 11 0 4 8 12 16 20 18. Intense logging is sound if replanting is adequate. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 7 38.9 Agree with statement 2 11 61.1 Total 18 100.0 0 4 8 12 16 20 201 19. Abandoned oil well/drill sites should be restored to their undisturbed state. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Agree with statement 2 17 100.0 Total 17 100.0 2 17 1 1 1 L 1 0 4 8 l2 16 20 20. Because of their importance, the quality of Michigan state parks is the responsibility of all Michigan people. Value Label Value Frequency Percent Disagree with statement 1 4 22.2 Agree with statement 2 14 77.8 Total 18 100.0 1—4 2 14 1 1 1 11 1 202 Four-stage Delphi - Questionnaire #4 Variable Mean Std Dev N Label Q1 1.28 .46 18 1. Michigan education system Q2 1.33 .49 18 2. Nuclear energy Q3 1.94 .24 18 3. Recycling Q4 2.00 .00 18 4. Alternative to landfills Q5 1.18 .39 17 5. Toxic waste Q6 1.72 .46 18 6. Drinking water Q7 1.94 .24 17 7. Water pollution Q8 2.00 .00 18 8. Michigan's economy Q9 2.00 .00 18 9. Property tax reform Q10 1.89 .32 18 10. Saving farmland Q11 2.00 .00 17 11. Maintaining roads Q12 2.00 .00 18 12. Freshwater fish Q13 1.83 .38 18 13. wetlands Q14 1.71 .47 17 14. Air quality Q15 1.78 .43 18 15. Food safety Q16 1.87 .34 16 16. Ag. chemicals Ql7_ 2.00 .00 18 17. Land use Q18 1.61 .50 18 18. Logging Q19 2.00 .00 17 19. Oil wells Q20 1.78 .43 18 20. State parks 203 BIBLIOGRAPHY Ary, Donald, Lucy Chaser Jacobs, and Asghar Razavieh, (1990). , Holt, Rhinehart and Winston, Inc. Brookes, Warren T., (1990, February 25 - March 11). “The Environment: Risk and Reality." Special Issue, Ihg_nggggi§_flggg, Detroit, Michigan. Campbell, Thomas w., (1983, August). "Identifying the Issues." Public Relations Journal, 19-20. Chase, W. Howard, (1977). ”Public issues management: The new science," Public Relations Journal, 33, .25 -26. David-on. Huron-t. (199) - W- Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers, New Jersey. Dole. P- It 811-. (19771- W- The National Center for Research in Vocational Education. Dillman. Don An (1978). Won Mgghgg. John Wiley 8 Sons, Inc., New York. Douglass, Gordon, (1985). t . (Foreword by Mawby, Russell), w.x. 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