Extension Community and Economic Development

Results of the 1999 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll with the primary focus on how farm families are coping with current conditions and what they expect in the next decade.

Iowa farm families have both hopes and concerns associated with changes unfolding across the state, especially those related to the rapid development of the “bioeconomy.” The increasing focus on renewable fuels, especially ethanol and biodiesel, brings both great expectations for grain prices and economic growth as well as worries about impacts on the environment and the structure of agriculture. The 2007 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll asked questions about these issues and related topics such as land use and future farm plans. The poll was created in 1982 by Iowa State University Extension, the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. It partners Extension and research programs with the needs of farm families. Data collected on issues of importance to the farming community provide input to local, state, and national leaders in their decision making process. We thank the many farm families who responded to this year’s survey and appreciate their continued participation in the poll.

The Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll is an annual survey that collects and disseminates information on issues of importance to rural communities across Iowa and the Midwest. Conducted every year since its establishment in 1982, the Farm Poll is the longest-running survey of its kind in the nation. Iowa State University Extension, the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship are all partners in the Farm Poll effort. The information gathered through the Farm Poll is used to inform the development and improvement of research and extension programs and is used by local, state, and national leaders in their decision-making processes. We thank the many farmers who responded to this year’s survey and appreciate their continued participation in the Farm Poll.

Established in 1982, the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll is conducted through a partnership between Iowa State University Extension, the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Generally known as “The Farm Poll,” this annual survey effort collects and disseminates information on issues of importance to rural communities across Iowa and the Midwest. The Farm Poll serves to inform the development and improvement of extension and research programs and is used by local, state, and national leaders in their decisionmaking processes. We thank the many farm families who responded to this year’s survey and appreciate their continued participation in the poll.

Focus group research can produce highly useful information about programs and services that surveys miss. Learn how to gather rich detail.

Focus groups don't work for every purpose. Determine appropriate use of focus groups to get high quality information for high quality decision-making.

Survey results from nearly 5,000 farmers in 2000 highlighted the following topics: biotechnology, food safety and health, transgenic hybrids, average distance traveled to obtain services (business, community, etc.), recreational and leisure activities, minority and immigrant issues, alternative livestock production, financial conditions, and quality of life.

Highlights regarding community and economic development, among other survey questions, as reported in this 2001 summary.

Survey results from almost 2,000 farmers in 2002 regarding crop and livestock issues and quality of life in Iowa.

The Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll is an annual survey of Iowa farmers. The survey project collects and disseminates information on issues of importance to agricultural stakeholders across Iowa and the Midwest. The Farm Poll has been conducted every year since its establishment in 1982. It is the longestrunning survey of its kind in the nation. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach, the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the Iowa Agricultural Statistics Service are partners in the Farm Poll. The information gathered through the annual survey is used to inform the development and improvement of research and extension programs and is used by local, state, and national leaders in their decisionmaking processes. We thank the many farm families who responded to this year’s survey and appreciate their continued participation.