Survey System

It is recognized that the concept of agricultural sustainability has many interpretations. It signals a shift in basic values and operational priorities but can not be reduced to a rigid set of behaviors or prescriptions. Indeed, it is contextually sensitive and supportive of diversity. Nevertheless, patterned variables or themes have been noted that distinguish the sustainable agriculture paradigm from the conventional or industrial paradigm. Beus and Dunlap (1990) have identified six such paired variables: centralization vs decentralization; dependence vs independence; competition vs community; domination of nature vs harmony with nature; specialization vs diversity; exploitation vs restraint. These provide a typology or gradient along which to place actual farming operations.

A survey was developed to determine how the research farms/farmers reflected and clustered around the six Beus and Dunlap themes. The purpose of the survey was to obtain data that could suggest

The degree to which the research farms differ among themselves on basic aspects of agricultural sustainability and whether these differences can help explain (or are consistent with) observed behavioral differences, especially in bird use
How an idealized set of values compares to a real set of on-farm behaviors and where (and why) there may be contradictions,
That despite scientifically-derived categories and patterned relationships, human behavior is not consistent and defies easy or tidy explanation. Internal contradictions will exist within each farm/farmer's interpretation (philosophical and practical) of sustainability and bird use.

Summary

Questions to which the surveyed farm population strongly agreed

The incorporation of livestock into a farming operation is efficient.
Integration of animals into the farm system increases economic flexibility.
Animal integration into a farming system increases biological flexibility.
Using free-range birds in a farming system is important.
Using Free-range birds in a farm system is a good means to suppress pest and weeds.
There is a considerable desire to raise free-range birds.
External costs of farming must be considered.
Farming is a business.
Community needs and food security should be part of the farm plan.
New equipment is better then used equipment.

Questions to which the surveyed farm populations strongly disagreed

The management of land is more efficient when handled at larger scales.
Large farms are more efficient in terms of energy expenditures.
We can separate the farm production and management cycles from natural cycles.
Humans are separate from and superior to nature.
Continuous cropping is an efficient farming practice.
Farming must rely on non-renewable resources.
America should primarily grow for the export market.

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