Overview
A five-year research initiative focused on Christian family farmers and ranchers across the rural U.S. South and Midwest engaged with over 70 individuals within this demographic. The research centered on understanding their motivations and practices concerning 'going green' in agriculture. The personal account of a researcher highlights their engagement with these communities, particularly through an incident involving a call from a seventh-generation cattle rancher in Georgia.
Research Context
The research spanned a period of five years, during which the principal investigator established connections with more than 70 family farmers and ranchers. These individuals were located within the rural regions of the U.S. South and Midwest. The study's focus was on Christian farmers and their adoption of environmentally conscious agricultural methods, termed 'going green'. The researcher maintained contact with some participants beyond formal data collection, indicating an ongoing relationship.
Approach
The research methodology involved direct engagement and relationship-building with family farmers and ranchers. Over a five-year period, the researcher interacted with a cohort of over 70 participants from the U.S. South and Midwest. The researcher's account describes a continued, informal relationship with some participants after the core research period, exemplified by a call received from a rancher in Georgia. This suggests a qualitative, immersive approach to understanding the lived experiences and practices of the farming community under study.
Findings
The provided text does not contain explicit findings or research results from the study beyond the description of the research itself and the researcher's engagement. It details the researcher's interaction with a specific demographic (Christian family farmers and ranchers in the rural U.S. South and Midwest) over a five-year period, totaling over 70 participants. The text indicates that these farmers were involved in 'going green' initiatives, and it alludes to the significance of Wendell Berry in this context, although specific connections or impacts are not elaborated upon. The narrative describes an ongoing relationship with some participants, exemplified by a missed call from a Georgian cattle rancher, suggesting a sustained interest in the subjects' lives and farming practices.
Why This Matters
The described research effort highlights a sustained investigation into the practices and perspectives of a specific demographic within American agriculture: Christian family farmers and ranchers in the rural U.S. South and Midwest. The focus on 'going green' indicates an exploration of environmental stewardship within a faith-based agricultural context. This sustained engagement, extending beyond the initial five-year study period, suggests the depth of the inquiry and the potential for understanding long-term trends and influences, such as that of Wendell Berry, within these communities.