Abstract
Findings from a 1987 telephone survey of Louisiana residents are reported. Opinions of 701 persons were gathered using a weighted probability sample across the state. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics were used to identify regional clusters of parishes to determine differences among regions of the state. The results point to a paradox. While the clusters exhibited extreme variation in socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, there was surprising similarity in the responses regarding opinions on agricultural issues. Support for agriculture was uniformly strong across all regions, with over 80 percent of respondents agreeing that both the state and federal governments should do a lot more to help farmers. Public concern for the future of farming was evident. Of the survey respondents, 40 percent felt that the financial future of farming will get worse, while only 30 percent felt it would improve. While opinions on specific resource-allocation measures to help agriculture were less definite, the findings show that residential location has little effect on respondents' opinions regarding agricultural issues.
Recommended Citation
Acock, Alan, and Ann Dellenbarger. 1989. "The Future of Farming: Regional Variation in Opinions From Louisiana and the Nation." Journal of Rural Social Sciences, 06(1): Article 3. Available at: https://egrove.olemiss.edu/jrss/vol06/iss1/3
Publication Date
12-31-1989
