1. SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF PROGRESSIVE FARMERS IN THE NETHERLANDS.
- Author
-
van den Bant, A. W.
- Subjects
FARMERS ,AGRICULTURE ,PROGRESS ,EDUCATION ,FARM management - Abstract
This paper summarizes the findings of several investigations in the Netherlands of factors related to the adoption of improved farm practices and the general progressiveness of farmers. In many respects, the socio-economic characteristics differentiating more and less progressive farmers are the same as in the United States. The education of the farmer and his membership in farm organizations and cooperatives were related to his progressiveness even when other factors were held constant. The farmer's general style of living was also so related. It appears that the progressive farmer in the Netherlands not only quickly adopts modern farm practices, but that in many respects he is also a more "modern" type of individual. The hypothesis is stated that his frame of reference is better adapted to present circumstances than that of the less progressive farmer, whose frame of reference is more or less out of date, and that the backward farmer has feelings of inferiority, suspicion, and distrust which prevent him from adopting a more functional frame of reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 1957