Farmers' views

PATS works to provide a voice for Wisconsin farmers within the University and state government. Through public input sessions, interviews, and mail surveys, we try to keep up to date on Wisconsin farmers' viewpoints on various issues. Survey research has been the single most important method that PATS has used over the years to explore issues relating to technology, farm structure, public policy, and family farming in Wisconsin. A survey is a relatively democratic approach in that farmers are selected randomly, rather than on the basis of their income or social position. Each respondent's views and experiences count equally with those of other farmers in the sample regardless of the type or size of the farm. These surveys provide one way in which the average Wisconsin farmers' experiences and concerns can be made known.

Our publications in this topic area convey the views and concerns of Wisconsin farm people to public policymakers. Current work that emphasizes farmer viewpoints falls into three categories:

• On University Research and Extension
• On the Dairy Industry
• On Agricultural Policy