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OSU Taking Pulse of Ohio Farmers

Extreme weather, trade tensions, declining prices, access to health care, and urban sprawl. These are just a few of the issues facing farms in Ohio. To get a better handle on how Ohio farm families are adapting to these challenges, researchers at The Ohio State University are asking farmers to share their experiences through a new statewide survey this February.

The “2020 Ohio Farm Poll” will gather information about the current well-being and changes taking place on different types of farms and across different regions of the state. It provides an opportunity for farmers to share their views with university researchers and state policymakers across a range of issues.

Dr. Doug Jackson-Smith, a professor in OSU’s College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, notes “we recognize that Ohio farmers often feel over-surveyed and have limited time and energy this time of year. However, we also know that decisions are being made by local, state and national policymakers without a good grounding in the realities faced by actual farmers.” The survey asks farmers not only about their farm businesses, but also about links between trends in farming and the well-being of farm households and rural communities.

It has been over a decade since a scientific statewide poll was conducted in Ohio on these types of issues. Ohio has a diverse agriculture industry, and the survey is designed to help researchers and leaders better understand the challenges faced by different types of farmers. To ensure the results represent the full breadth of Ohio’s diverse agriculture industry, Dr. Jackson-Smith asks everyone who gets a survey to respond.

Dr. Shoshanah Inwood, an Assistant Professor in CFAES’ School of Environment & Natural Resources, said the results of the survey will be available later in the year and will be shared with farmers, farm organizations, state agencies, and policy makers. Results will also guide OSU research and extension programs with the goal of building a more vibrant, prosperous farm economy and farm population.   

The OSU research team shared a draft of the survey with various farm organizations for input. We believe the results should help inform public discussions of farming in Ohio and encourage farmers to participate.

For further information contact the project co-leads:

Dr. Douglas Jackson-Smith (jackson-smith.1@osu.edu; 330-202-3540)

Dr. Shoshanah Inwood (inwood.2@osu.edu; 330-263-3790)

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