1. Agricultural Energy Information Needs and
Interests of NACAA Members and Their Clientele
D. Kluchinski, County Agent I, Department of Agricultural and Resource Management
Agents, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8525
E-mail: kluchinski@njaes.rutgers.edu
ABSTRACT RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A nationwide survey of NACAA members Top Ranked (4 of 40) Farm Energy Related Topics of Interest - All Survey Respondents
was conducted in 2008 by eXtension’s
Farm Energy Community of Practice (CoP) Rank1 NACAA Members % Clientele %
to determine interests and educational 1 Wind Energy 50 Biodiesel 48
needs related to energy and agriculture. 2 Solar Energy 49 Wind Energy 45
Questions included the respondent’s 3 Farm System Conservation and Efficiency 42 Farm System Conservation and Efficiency 44
ranking of 40 informational topics based 4 Biodiesel 36 Solar Energy 40
1 Ranked by percent of respondents selecting the listed topic
on their interest and their clientele’s
interests. The highest ranked interests of
Top Ranked (4 of 40) Farm Energy Related Topics of Interest - Respondents by Region
respondents were wind and solar energy,
farm system conservation and efficiency,
Rank NACAA Members % Clientele % Rank NACAA Members % Clientele %
and biodiesel. They perceived their
1 Solar Energy 49 Biofuels 42
clientele’s greatest interest in biodiesel, 1 Wind Energy 63 Wind Energy 60
2 Wind Energy 46 Wind Energy 42
Farm System Farm System North Central Northeast
wind energy, farm system conservation 2 Conservation and 47 Conservation and 46 Farm System Farm System
3 Conservation and 37 Conservation and 42
and efficiency, and solar energy. Some Efficiency Efficiency West South
Efficiency Efficiency
3 Crop Residues 37 Grasses 43
regional differences were found. The 4 Ethanol 35 Biofuels 40
Food System
4 Conservation and 35 Solar Energy 40
results identify and prioritize informational Efficiency
topics by region and may be useful for
planning educational training and
developing educational materials.
OBJECTIVES
● Determine personal and perceived
Rank NACAA Members % Clientele % Rank NACAA Members % Clientele %
clientele interest and need for
1 Wind Energy 56 Wind Energy 49 1 Solar Energy 53 Wind Energy 55
information on specific topics related 2 Solar Energy 55 Biodiesel 43 Farm System
to agricultural energy. Farm System Farm System
2 Wind Energy 43 Conservation and
Efficiency
43
3 Conservation and 35 Conservation and 37
Efficiency Efficiency 3 Biodiesel 43 Biodiesel 43
Farm System
4 Biodiesel 29 Grasses 35 4 Conservation and 42 Grasses 38
MATERIALS AND METHODS Efficiency
● A needs assessment survey was CONCLUSIONS
conducted in 2008 by the eXtension
Farm Energy Community of Practice. ● Survey respondents had more interest in topics such as renewables, conservation and efficiency,
and inputs (feedstocks) than outputs (end products) and processes.
● An on-line survey comprised of 6
questions was administered via ● There was little difference between interests of NACAA members and their perception of clients’
Zoomerang™ to NACAA members; interests and needs.
results of 2 questions are reported.
● There are some regional differences in topics of need and interest, and the level of interest in
● Survey recipients=3230, Complete specific topics.
surveys= 1355 from 47 states,
Response rate = 42%.
● These and other survey data led to the development of informational resources by the eXtension
Farm Energy CoP to meet these interests and needs.