What do young people know about agriculture, and how do they get their information? Is it based on science? Or does it come from self-serving organizations? To find the answers, researchers in the College are studying public perceptions of farm animal production methods. "The information children receive will influence their opinions for the rest of their lives," says professor of animal science Lowell Wilson. "To make sure children have a balanced view of the use of animals, we need to determine what they know and how they get their information." Wilson and his colleagues recently surveyed students and their teachers in Centre, Dauphin, Snyder, and York Counties about animal agriculture, animal agriculture by-products, food safety, animal well-being, how animal agriculture affects the environment, and what farmers do to protect the environment for future generations. Schools in other counties will be surveyed in coming months.

Students in grades 6 through 8 were asked questions such as, "Do you know which farm animals these products come from?" and "How did you learn about farm animals?" They also were asked to rank the importance of topics such as the safety of the food supply, disposal of animal wastes, use of chemicals on food, and treatment of farm and research animals. Students in grades 11 and 12 were asked similar but more detailed questions about topics such as pesticide residues, water contamination, growth promotants, and antibiotic residues in food.

Preliminary results indicate that teachers are students' primary source of information about agriculture. "This finding emphasizes the need to determine what teachers know about animal agriculture and where they obtain their information," Wilson notes. "Most teachers do not have direct experience with agriculture. They rely on information provided to them, which may come from a variety of sources, including activist organizations. Teachers need access to factual, science-based information to give their students a balanced view."

The primary concern of students and teachers at all grade levels surveyed was the safety of the food supply. "This may reflect recent publicity about contaminated unpasteurized apple juice and undercooked hamburger causing illness and death," Wilson notes. "These incidents reveal the power of public perception. Public education has been shown to be the best tool against unfounded negative public perceptions." All groups surveyed also were concerned about animal well-being. "Farm animals are treated differently than companion animals, such as cats or dogs," Wilson says. "Without sufficient understanding of the reasons for farm animal procedures, the general public may view some practices as cruel and unnecessary."

As part of this project, researchers developed a best management manual, which explains practices such as tail docking, beak clipping, enclosed housing, individual stalls, and antibiotic use. Other materials addressing issues such as food safety, animal welfare, and farm safety were developed by members of the Penn State student club Students for the Responsible Use of Animals. Club members provide this information at events such as Ag Progress Days and the Pennsylvania Farm Show. These educational materials also are available through Penn State Cooperative Extension offices.

In addition to the student and teacher surveys, farmers in Lancaster County are being questioned to determine how they think they are perceived by the public and to give them an opportunity to assess their industry and its methods. "We chose Lancaster County because it has a growing urban population in a traditionally rural farming area," explains project assistant Patricia Nordstrom. "We asked farmers if they had received any complaints about their enterprise and the nature of the complaints. They also were asked to rank the concern level, or how they believe the public feels about issues such as agricultural chemicals, food cost, disposal of animal waste, and farm animal welfare." The researchers surveyed 1,500 nonfarm residents of Lancaster County as well. "We wanted to identify concerns of these residents about area farms," Nordstrom says. "Farmers who are aware of how they are perceived by the general public will be better equipped to address the public's concerns."

Producers across the state are participating in another project focused on animal handling and transportation. "Money, time, and effort can be lost if animals are improperly handled or transported, resulting in losses due to stress, bruises, hide damage, or injuries," Wilson says. "We're surveying producers about the industry's handling and transporting practices and asking them to identify improvements they have made and where further improvements can be made." Results of the surveys will be available early in 1998.

These projects are supported by research funds administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State appropriations. Other researchers participating in the project include Timothy Kelsey, assistant professor of agricultural economics; Audrey Maretzki, professor of food science; and Charles Pitts, professor of entomology.


–Eston Martz