PERCEPTIONS OF RISK ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF FARM CHEMICALS - IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION INITIATIVES

Data were collected from 245 farmers within the Darby Creek hydrologic unit in central Ohio to assess perceptions of risk associated with us e of farm chemicals. Farmers were asked to evaluate the level of risk associated with use of agricultural chemicals for water quality, food safety, food quality, health of applicator, health of farm animals, wi ldlife, beneficial plants, beneficial insects, and human health. Study findings revealed that respondents perceived use of farm chemicals po sed little or no threat to any of the assessed items. A composite inde x was formulated from the responses to the nine items and was titled P erceived Risk. Variance in the Perceived Risk index was regressed agai nst social learning variables. The findings revealed that approximatel y 32% of the variance was explained by the predictive variables includ ed in the model. It was concluded that the theoretical perspective was somewhat useful for understanding perceptions held about agricultural chemical use at the farm level. The findings are discussed in the con text of future conservation and educational-information programs withi n the study region.