The effect of personalization on mail survey response rates was examined in nine studies that included 17 comparisons under several research conditions. A study of this variable across multiple experiments in five agricultural experiment stations was undertaken because of conflicting results from previous research and from concern that the…

Agricultural Extension Service Agents perceive the greatest influence upon their programs to come from their client group, county extension councils, and college administrations, respectively. Agricultural agents see research faculty as having an important influence; 4-H and home economics agents feel research staff should be more influential.…

Intensive rotational grazing by Wisconsin dairy farmers represents a local expression of the sustainable agriculture movement. Contrary to interpretations that view local knowledge in agriculture as idiosyncratic, these graziers use horizontal forms of organizing and information exchange to overcome the limits of personal experience and share…

Discusses research, teaching, and extension opportunities for rural sociologists in current social/economic conditions of agriculture/rural America. Describes challenges to the resource base of rural sociology and ways to extend the discipline. Stresses need to expand linkages to the general scientific community and to increase communication among…

Reports on Green Thumb, a government-sponsored, university-operated, computer-based videotext system that disseminated agricultural information to 200 Kentucky farmers for 13 months. Findings suggest that adoption of videotext systems may follow a different adoption pattern than other farming innovations. (MH)