Improving environmental management on small-scale farms: perspectives of extension educators and horse farm operators.

The research article explores environmental management practices within small-scale farming, specifically looking at horse farm operations in North America and Europe. The researchers used surveys and interviews to identify a disconnection between the perceived knowledge of conservation practices among horse farm operators and what extension educators believed about their understanding.

Study Methodology

• The researchers used a Delphi survey and follow-up interviews with extension educators from Indiana and Kentucky. The Delphi method is a structured communication technique used to gather information and reach consensus among a group of experts.
• Moreover, they also conducted interviews and farm assessments with 15 horse farm operators in the same states.

Key Findings

• The study results reveal a notable disconnection between the perceptions of extension educators and horse farm operators.
• Extension educators assumed that small horse farm operators lacked familiarity with conservation practices and their environmental benefits. They also found it difficult to direct and tailor outreach to this audience.
• However, through the interviews with horse farm operators, the researchers found that most operators had some awareness of conservation practices like rotational grazing, soil testing, heavy use area protection, and manure composting.
• Despite having knowledge about these conservation practices, it was not common for such practices to be implemented to standards that are generally recognized.
• The horse farm respondents viewed these practices as interrelated parts of their farm management system that has evolved over time to contend with the farm’s physical features, needs of the horses, and available resources.

Implications and Recommendations

• The results of the research indicate that implementing conservation practices on horse farms is more complex than simply diffusing innovations. This is because these practices have to be integrated into an already complex farm management system.
• As a result, traditional models of extension that focus on innovative diffusion may not be suitable for promoting better environmental management on horse farms.
• Due to this finding, the research suggests that different approaches may need to be undertaken to bridge this gap and effectively promote environmental management practices among small-scale horse farm operators.