FARMING PRACTICES AND ADHERENCE TO AN ALTERNATIVE-CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURAL PARADIGM

Can a farmer's paradigmatic attitudes predict the actual production sy stem used? Data on actual production practices were collected from a s tatewide random sample of agricultural producers in Nebraska and used to evaluate the research question. Findings suggest that a relationshi p does exist between production practices and world view, with specifi c attitudes related to agricultural production practices. These attitu des are especially salient when it comes to the importance of communit y in maintaining quality of life among agricultural producers.