Farmer's Attitudes and Knowledge On Water Quality Issues.

A survey was conducted to provide direction for Extension activities regarding water quality issues and row-crop agriculture in Minnesota.  Educational program participants were asked a standard set of questions at 25 educational events in 2012.  Turning Point (Turning Technologies, Youngstown, OH) was used to collect data.  Questions focused on the extent of existing and planned artificial drainage, knowledge of federal and state clean water law, knowledge on potential mitigation strategies, and the use of precision agriculture technology.  Additional questions looked at farmer’s attitudes on environmental issues, and their risk tolerance.  The survey found that over 50% of farm land is currently drained, and an additional 5% will be drained in the next five years.  Nearly 75% of respondents indicated their belief that all or parts of University N recommendations included too low of rates.  In general, farmers indicated they did not understand the political/legal process through which water quality issues are addressed.  A high percentage of farmers indicated a lack of knowledge on Conservation Drainage technology which might be employed to mitigate nitrate in drainage water.  A particular challenge identified was nearly one third of respondents indicating they will accept no risk.  Precision agriculture technologies have been suggested as playing a key role in dealing with water quality issues, but this survey found that at least half of farmers are either underutilizing or not using available practices.