Exploring knowledge in periods of drought: Understanding how producers use, exchange, and regard local and expert knowledge

Authors' Names

Adam Snitker

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract/Artist Statement

Scientists from universities, government agencies, and private industries research to find new information, products, and practices that support agriculture production. Often, institutionally sponsored knowledge, also known as expert knowledge, is crafted to be universally implemented into any operation. Meanwhile, farmers and ranchers draw on experiences on their own farms and ranches, often referred to as local knowledge, to inform current agricultural decisions (Kloppenburg, 1991; Lyon et a., 2011; Goulet, 2013). Expert knowledge positions agriculture producers as recipients of knowledge, meanwhile, local knowledge identifies producers as knowledge generators (Kloppenburg, 1991, Hassenein, 1999). In periods of increasing climate variability, relevant and useful knowledge can be critical to developing a resilient agricultural operation. The 2017 Montana Climate Assessment suggests that drought like conditions may occur more frequently in the future, which could be challenging for Montana farmers and ranchers. Therefore, Montana agriculture producers will need to develop new strategies, generate new knowledge, and adapt to changing conditions. This study attempts to understand how expert and local knowledges are used, exchanged, and perceived by Montana agricultural producers in periods of drought. To investigate this question, five focus groups composed of Montana agricultural producers were conducted in different communities across the state. A purposive sample was developed to include diverse operation types: dryland farms, irrigated farms, and ranches. Thirty-four individuals participated in the focus groups. Participants were asked about what information they used to make decisions in periods of drought, where they receive such information, and how they perceive that information. A qualitative analysis, where the researcher identifies common themes in the data to understand similar and different perspectives across all groups, has been adopted for this study. While there has been extensive literature detailing use and perception of different types of knowledge relevant to agriculture, there is little or no research that attempts to understand what types of knowledge are useful and how those different types of knowledge are perceived by Montana agriculture producers in periods of drought. Potential benefits of this study could include action by agricultural institutions, such as universities, government agencies, and private industries, to adjust their research to better align with the information identified by agriculture producers as useful. Additionally, non-research public service organizations, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Extension Service, and United States Department of Agriculture, can evaluate and organize existing programs to better support the generation and exchange of useful knowledge as identified by agriculture producers.

Mentor Name

Laurie Yung

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Feb 22nd, 10:40 AM Feb 22nd, 10:55 AM

Exploring knowledge in periods of drought: Understanding how producers use, exchange, and regard local and expert knowledge

UC 332

Scientists from universities, government agencies, and private industries research to find new information, products, and practices that support agriculture production. Often, institutionally sponsored knowledge, also known as expert knowledge, is crafted to be universally implemented into any operation. Meanwhile, farmers and ranchers draw on experiences on their own farms and ranches, often referred to as local knowledge, to inform current agricultural decisions (Kloppenburg, 1991; Lyon et a., 2011; Goulet, 2013). Expert knowledge positions agriculture producers as recipients of knowledge, meanwhile, local knowledge identifies producers as knowledge generators (Kloppenburg, 1991, Hassenein, 1999). In periods of increasing climate variability, relevant and useful knowledge can be critical to developing a resilient agricultural operation. The 2017 Montana Climate Assessment suggests that drought like conditions may occur more frequently in the future, which could be challenging for Montana farmers and ranchers. Therefore, Montana agriculture producers will need to develop new strategies, generate new knowledge, and adapt to changing conditions. This study attempts to understand how expert and local knowledges are used, exchanged, and perceived by Montana agricultural producers in periods of drought. To investigate this question, five focus groups composed of Montana agricultural producers were conducted in different communities across the state. A purposive sample was developed to include diverse operation types: dryland farms, irrigated farms, and ranches. Thirty-four individuals participated in the focus groups. Participants were asked about what information they used to make decisions in periods of drought, where they receive such information, and how they perceive that information. A qualitative analysis, where the researcher identifies common themes in the data to understand similar and different perspectives across all groups, has been adopted for this study. While there has been extensive literature detailing use and perception of different types of knowledge relevant to agriculture, there is little or no research that attempts to understand what types of knowledge are useful and how those different types of knowledge are perceived by Montana agriculture producers in periods of drought. Potential benefits of this study could include action by agricultural institutions, such as universities, government agencies, and private industries, to adjust their research to better align with the information identified by agriculture producers as useful. Additionally, non-research public service organizations, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Extension Service, and United States Department of Agriculture, can evaluate and organize existing programs to better support the generation and exchange of useful knowledge as identified by agriculture producers.