Public image of animal agriculture in the United States

Journal of Applied Communications 100(4) Full Issue

“…Increased The purpose of this study was to explore what competencies students enrolled in an undergraduate agricultural advocacy course needed to advocate for agriculture after graduation as perceived by agricultural advocates. Continued consumer skepticism regarding the production practices within the agricultural industry (Weatherel et al, 2003;Zimbelman et al, 1995) coupled with an increasing consumer interest in the food production system (Smith, 2015) has created a need to equip agricultural communicators with the skills and capabilities to disseminate information to a questioning and concerned public.…”

“…Previous researchers within the agricultural community have also found consumers do not accept what scientists say as truth (Center for Food Integrity, 2014; Ruth, Gay, Rumble, & Rodriguez, 2015). Researchers have also reported an increasing level of skepticism when it comes to processes and procedures within the agricultural industry (Weatherel, Tregear, & Allinson, 2003;Zimbelman, Wilson, Bennett, & Curtis, 1995). At the same time, an increasing number of consumers want to know about their food, how it is produced, and where it is grown (Smith, 2014).…”

The Effect of Social Media on University Students' Perceptions of the Beef Industry

“…Today's families are often twice removed from their farming ancestry (American Farm Bureau Foundation, 2014) and have a limited understanding of modern agriculture practices. In essence, the aforementioned families, especially their children, have limited direct contact with agriculture (Zimbelman, Wilson, Bennett, & Curtis, 1995). Those previously mentioned children often pursue university degrees, become consumers of agriculture products, and unfortunately gather most of their information related to agriculture from sources separated from the agriculture industry (Frick, Birkenholz, & Machtmes, 1995).…”

“…Those previously mentioned children often pursue university degrees, become consumers of agriculture products, and unfortunately gather most of their information related to agriculture from sources separated from the agriculture industry (Frick, Birkenholz, & Machtmes, 1995). These media sources are more likely to report on controversies involving agriculture (Zimbelman et al, 1995) instead of helping the consumer understand agricultural practices or successes. As the distance between consumers and producers continues to grow, consumers will rely more on social media outlets to retrieve information about food related issues such as food safety (Verbeke, 2005).…”

Evaluation of Surface Water Quality Impacted by Sewage Overflows from Animal and Residential Lagoon Systems using Principal Component Analysis

“…The efficiency of animal agriculture in the United States has increased in over half a century, but environmental degradation is one of the major concerns of the populace [1]. In the United States, fortyfour (44) percent of assessed river and stream miles were reported impaired by the United States Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA).…”