September / October, 2004
Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN):
Extension Surveys Show Extension as Agrisecurity Resource
contributing author
East Lansing – Agrisecurity is not just an industry or emergency management issue. National surveys performed by the Extension Disaster Education Network show that agricultural producers will quickly turn to Extension agents and specialists for answers, should an agricultural terrorist event occur.
The web surveys, although performed in 2002, are still being shared with Extension and the agricultural industry “because people have become complacent about terrorism happening locally”, says Mark Hansen, MSU Extension Emergency Management Coordinator.
Two surveys were performed by EDEN using “Zoomerang”, a software program that is very user friendly to those who might be inexperienced in using the web. One was a survey of farmers and ranchers regarding their perspectives and readiness as it applies to agrisecurity and agroterrorism, and the second, a survey measuring perspectives of Extension educators.
“What we found,” said Hansen, “is that farmers and ranchers are no different than the rest of the population in their expectations of being a victim of a disaster. While around 80 percent said that an agroterrorist event would very likely happen in the US, only about 20 percent thought it would occur on their operation.”
The survey also queried respondents on who they would turn to for help, should a plant or animal terrorist event happen on their farm. Respondents said that should a plant agroterrorism event occur, they would turn first to Extension. In the case of an animal terrorist event, respondents said they would first turn to their local veterinarian, and second to Extension. In these two questions, respondents could choose from a number of state and local sources of information including their state department of agriculture, crop or feed consultant, local cooperative, or a friend or neighbor. “Because producers will apparently turn to us for information if a disaster occurs, we need to be ready to assist,” said Hansen.
Hansen added that even local emergency managers see Extension as a credible source of information, so it is not surprising that producers would turn to Extension and the university for the right answers. “The important thing is that we [Extension] can’t wait until the disaster happens to learn what to do. We need to learn that now.”
While not a scientific study, the survey was a good indicator of how
producers will respond. In the Extension educator survey, 73 percent of
respondents said that Extension should develop and deliver Homeland Security
materials and programs. Only 7 percent said “no”, while 20
percent were undecided. Over 1100 Extension staff from across the county
completed the survey. Michigan Extension staff represented 7 percent of
respondents.
Mark F. Hansen, Ph.D.
Extension Coordinator, Emergency Management Programs
Extension Specialist, Wildfire Prevention
11 Agriculture Hall, Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
(517) 432-7696 Fax: (517) 432-1048
Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering
Michigan State University
A.W. Farrall Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1323
(517) 355-4720
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