Web 2.0 and the modern farmer: Is a web 2.0 campaign useful when promoting safety to the farm community?

Intro:

In the past, internet and smart-phone use was not common among the farm community.  With advances in technology, the average number of cell phone owners has increased, as well as access to high speed internet. More farms are looking to social media for promotion for their farms. This study seeks to determine if the farm population also uses technology to find information related to safety practices.

Methods:

During a meeting of equipment manufactures a focus group was held to identify marketing efforts used by the group. This provided information about useful marketing techniques used within agriculture. Results were compiled and analyzed to mold discussions with the farming community.

Surveys with the farming community will be administered at trade show events, and will target small dairy and livestock farmers. These surveys will collect information about technology use and information gathering. 

Results:

Input from manufactures indicated that technology can be useful when targeting agricultural dealers. Participants in this group indicated that similar efforts may be useful when targeting farmers, but should be used in conjunction with other methods. Surveys with farmers will reveal the information seeking practices of New York farmers in particular. It is anticipated that this population will follow current trends as seen in the literature.

Conclusions:

Preliminary surveys with manufactures show that web 2.0 technologies may be useful in promoting safe practices among the New York farm community. Study results will be used to promote the use of power take-off shields and other safety equipment and practices.