Farmers Again Rank PARK RIDGE, 111. The over all public image of America’s far mers and ranchers continues to be strong, according to a nationwide survey commissioned by the American Farm Bureau Federation. Among the highlights of Farm Bureau’s 1999 Farmer Image Tracking Poll is evidence that con sumers believe the nation's far mers contribute “a great deal to society” and are effective in con serving natural resources, but arc not paid adequately for their role in supplying food for the nation. Consumers typically rank far mers high for positive attributes and in overall job performance. In nearly all areas of comparison, positive numbers in the new poll were higher than those from a similar consumer poll conducted two years ago. More than eight out of 10 con sumers (85 percent) said farmers contribute a “great deal" to society a virtual tic compared to teach ers and firefighters (both 86 per cent). While fanners scored the same as in the 1997 poll, the largest drop was seen for business people, who fell to 37 percent, compared to 50 percent in 1997. Two out of three respondents (66 percent) rated farmers “very effective in conserving natural resources and caring for the envi ronment.*’ That rating was higher than that for environmentalists (60 percent) and scientists (58 per cent). Farmers and scientists each picked up four percentage points from the 1997 poll, while environ mentalists fell four points. Identical to the 1997 poll, 72 percent erf the consumers said far mers do not receive appropriate compensation for supplying food CRAFT-BIUT CONSTRUCTION, INC. MANHEIM, PA (717) 653-4023 Pre-Engineered Buildings Lifetime Design Warranty LESTER^ Dairy Equine Self-Storage Remodeling HERSHEY EQUIPMENT CO. INSTALLS MHEmm ENGINES Gas & Diesel Engines Transmissions Differentials IN YOUR CAR OR TRUCK 1-800-432-0988 “If It's Worth The Investment, Trust It To Hershey” TZ=RSH€V ■■ MB EQUIPMENT CO., INC. SYCAMORE IND. PARK 255 PLANE TREE DRIVE LANCASTER, PA 17603 ■ 717-393-5807 FAX 717-291-1534 W products. When asked to compare finan cial rewards received by different levels of America’s food produc tion system, 43 percent of the respondents thought food proccssors/manufacturers received the most, nearly a third (32 percent) thought farmers receive the most and just 24 per cent thought supermarkets received the most financial reward. Food processors/ manufacturers was the only categ ory that increased from the 1997 poll (39 percent). Consumers showed an aware ness of the economic problems far mers experienced this year, as 68 percent thought farmers were worse-off financially than they were 10 years ago. That number jumped eight percentage points from the 1997 poll. About three out of four consum ers (73 percent) said the govern ment should work to improve the farm economy by making it easier few farmers to export their goods. Sixty-seven percent said when a poor farm economy threatens far mers’ abilities to survive, the gov ernment should provide financial assistance. More than half (55 per cent) said the government should boost the farm economy by cutting costly federal regulations imposed on farmers. Only 17 percent of the consumers said fanners receive too much government assistance. When asked in an open-ended question to describe farmers, the most frequent consumer response was “hard-working’’ (58 percent). Next on that unaided list of descriptors were “honest” (14 per cent) and “good family values” (8 percent). While an impressive 86 percent of the consumers said they Alfalfa-Timothy Mix • Timothy • Clover • Clover-Timothy Mix Wrapped Haylage. *For Dairy Cows Call For Prices On High Protein Western Alfalfa ‘Delivered in trailer load lots, Approx.lo-15 Tons, ‘Guaranteed Payment Upon Delivery (cash, certified check. Bank draft) Wind Mill Farms Ivan A. Horst Box 693, CD. 2, Liverpool Pa. 17045 Call 717-444-2046 ®S' Type NCF 36” & 48” Galvanized. Fans w/Motor & Box. Also Fan Shutters. SPECIAL SALE We are currently overstocked on grain bin & feed hopper bins, bolts & nuts Grade 8 Hex Bin Bolts 3/8x1” .06 ea Grade 8 Hex Bin Bolts 5/16x3/4” .04 ea Grade 5 Hex Bin Bolts 3/8" .015 ea, Grade 5 Hex Nuts 5/6” High With American Consumers would believe a fanner talking about the challenges of fanning, that number fell three percentage points from the 1997 poll. When asked their perceived image of an American farm, half of the respondents said they envi sioned a large farm run by a family, 34 percent said they pictured a small farm run by a family and 14 percent said a large farm tun by a corporation. The small family farm category had the only increase, up nine percentage points from the 1997 poll. Neatly three out of four con sumers (74 percent) said they were iwarc of a trend toward fewer and larger farms, and 73 percent of those respondents felt negatively toward the trend. The most fre quently mentioned concern among that group (36 percent) was that smaller formers were being pushed out of business. However, more than half of those respondents (52 percent) said the government should not intervene to restrict the trend. Overall, however, 84 per cent of the total respondents agree d that society should be concerned about the decline in the number of farmers. Regarding their ability to pro duce healthy food, small (83 per cent) and large (79 percent) family •Alfalfa • Alfalfa-Clover Mix • farms were given excellent ratings, while large corporate farms received an excellent rating from 43 percent of the respondents. Large family farms were viewed as most innovative (61 percent) compared to small family forms and large corporate farms (54 per cent each). Small family farms received the highest “excellent” rating for caring for the environ ment (77 percent) followed by large family farms (65 percent) and large corporate farms (18 percent). Similar to the 1997 poll, on selected job-performance issues, consumers said farmers were doing an excellent or good job of: taking care of farm animals, 78 percent; taking care of the land, 73 percent; and producing a safe food supply, 76 percent. Eighty-one percent of the surveyed consumers said farmers were doing an average or better job of taking care of water, using chemicals properly and treating farm workers fairly, but they were less likely to award “excellent or good” ratings in those areas water (45 percent), chemicals (41 percent) and workers (40 percent). While 75 percent of the consum ers agreed that the use of new tech nology by agriculture is good for Visit Our New Showroom Across the Street From Our Previous Location Grand Opening Celebration The new Polaris RANGER takes you where your pickup can’t. 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Of the 82 percent of respondents who expressed an awareness of genetically modified (GM) crops, 46 percent said the technology was good for American consumers, 37 percent said it was bad for consum ers and 17 percent did not express an opinion. Of those who express ed an awareness, GM concerns ranged from food safety (20 per cent) and uncertain long-term effects (15 percent), to inadequate testing (10 percent), opinions that GM crops are not natural (6 per cent) and environmental concerns (5 percent). Of those expressing awareness of CM crops, the group was evenly split as to whether the government should restrict die technology, which it currendy docs. Forty-five percent said they favored restric tions, 44 percent said they did not believe restrictions were necessary and 11 percent did not express an opinion. Of those favoring govern ment restrictions on GM crops, the biggest reason expressed (32 per cent) was that restrictions are necessary for all new technology. 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