Poll gathers views of rural Iowans

For almost 20 years, Iowa State University Extension, in cooperation with the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship--Division of Statistics, has been gauging the attitudes, opinions and behaviors of Iowa farm families. This Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll provides a glimpse of the wide range of issues facing rural families.

Started in 1982, the poll offers researchers and policy makers timely information about the pressing issues of farm families, while at the same time providing useful insights and information to ISU Extension for program development. It also serves as a data resource for outside agencies and organizations and local, state and national leaders. The poll has earned a statewide and national reputation as a credible source on major farm and rural issues, according to Paul Lasley, extension sociologist and the poll's principal investigator. The poll's findings have been cited in many national, regional and statewide media and publications.

The 2000 poll featured data collected from more than 3,000 farm families and included responses to questions on issues such as biotechnology, food safety and health, recreation and leisure, wildlife, immigrants and minorities, and financial conditions. Lasley makes an effort to ensure that the survey sample represents the changing rural population.

Rural Iowans have a wide range of values and beliefs. The Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll offers insights into their attitudes and opinions.

"Agriculture in Iowa isn't monolithic," he said. "There's no 'standard' farm anymore. Instead, there's a wide-ranging collage of values and beliefs, which point to the many differences between people in rural areas today."

The research value of the poll is easily understood, as is its relevance to ISU Extension's on-going efforts in rural areas and small communities across Iowa. But the data gathered through the poll are also beneficial to people like Jerry Perkins, farm editor for the Des Moines Register, who has been using the poll for over nine years.

"I've found the poll to be a useful way to gauge public opinion on various issues," Perkins said. "It's very relevant to issues out in the countryside and can be used as a good source."

Echoing those sentiments is Rand Fisher, president of the Iowa Area Development Group (IADG), a non-profit organization that leads economic development efforts on behalf of Iowa's rural electric cooperatives and a select group of municipal utilities.

"I like the poll because it covers a lot of key areas and gives you a real sense of the changing nature of life on our farms and in small towns," said Fisher, who feels the information garnered from the poll adds value to the work of IADG.

"The poll provides a great backdrop for us as we try to understand the feelings, attitudes and perceptions regarding rural life," Fisher said.

Starting in 2001, the poll will broaden its reach and embark upon a three-year commitment to offer a better look at rural life in Iowa, Lasley said. To accomplish this, two additional samples will be included: rural, non-farm families and families who live in towns with a population of 2,500 and below.

"Today, rural Iowa is home to increasing numbers of residents who do not have ties to farming. By expanding the poll, we will have a better understanding of their needs, and how ISU can be of service to them," Lasley said.

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• Last update: Dec. 28, 2000