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Southern Rural Sociological Association Statement On The 2020 Census, Southern Rural Sociological Association Officers Aug 2020

Southern Rural Sociological Association Statement On The 2020 Census, Southern Rural Sociological Association Officers

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

The Southern Rural Sociological Association joins the Rural Sociological Society and numerous other organizations in calling for the necessary time to conduct an accurate Census. (This statement was originally released in August 2020 prior to completion of the 2020 Census.)


Explaining Popular Support For Wind Energy In The United States, Jessica Crowe Jul 2020

Explaining Popular Support For Wind Energy In The United States, Jessica Crowe

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

In the last 35 years, wind energy in the United States has transformed from being fringe and experimental to becoming a mainstream, viable, and efficient source of electricity. In this article, we compare wind energy acceptance to acceptance of other energy sources, in particular solar, coal, natural gas, and oil. Through an online survey of 1317 adults throughout the United States, we also examine the impact of individual- level characteristics such as gender, race, age, socio-political factors, and value orientation on a person’s support for renewable energy policy. We find that support for wind energy is higher than for fossil …


Notes From The Editorial Office (Volume 35, Issue 1), John J. Green Jun 2020

Notes From The Editorial Office (Volume 35, Issue 1), John J. Green

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

No abstract provided.


Predicting Support For Oil Industry Regulatory Policy Alternatives During The North Dakota Oil Boom, Curtis W. Stofferahn, Jessica Schad Jun 2020

Predicting Support For Oil Industry Regulatory Policy Alternatives During The North Dakota Oil Boom, Curtis W. Stofferahn, Jessica Schad

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Given the lax regulatory response of the North Dakota state government during the most recent oil boom in the Bakken Shale, a better understanding of how to frame alternative regulation policies for the general public is needed. A survey of North Dakota residents in 2015 indicates that attitudes towards the oil industry, regulation, property rights, and messaging are associated with policy receptivity. Thus, in framing policy messages, focus should be on confirming what the public already knows about oil industry conduct and its opposition to regulation. Individuals who are more favorable to regulation and have an unfavorable attitude towards the …


Trust And Discourse: A Case Of Land-Use Conflict In Alachua County, Florida, Anne Saville, Alison Adams Apr 2020

Trust And Discourse: A Case Of Land-Use Conflict In Alachua County, Florida, Anne Saville, Alison Adams

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Research on natural resources controversies such as land-use conversions has highlighted how stakeholder groups can have significantly different interpretations of the issue. Differing or opposing social values, political interests, and economic concerns play a large part in shaping how groups of people perceive a conflict. In these instances, opposing sides often use discursive frames to communicate their interests and garner support. While previous research has illustrated how frames are deployed in these cases, less is known about the role of trust in the context of frame resonance, especially when the frame deployer is a large corporation. We use the case …


Transformative Change In Rural Ethiopia: The Impact Of Small- And Medium-Scale Irrigation, Logan Cochrane, Anne Cafer Apr 2020

Transformative Change In Rural Ethiopia: The Impact Of Small- And Medium-Scale Irrigation, Logan Cochrane, Anne Cafer

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Rural livelihoods in Ethiopia are vulnerable due to their reliance upon variable rainfall and the lack of access to irrigation. Irrigation coverage in the country is low, as the existing systems tend to cover state-run and commercial operations. There is significant potential for irrigation to play a transformative role in rural lives and livelihoods. Much of the evidence available in Ethiopia focuses upon technical studies of irrigation systems or impacts on households after gaining access to irrigation. This article highlights the causes and pathways of change. We focus on more financially-viable and environmentally-sound small- and medium-scale systems, versus the large-scale …


Minority Stress Among Gay And Bisexual Men In Agricultural Occupations, Michael C. Parent, Garrett M. Steede Mar 2020

Minority Stress Among Gay And Bisexual Men In Agricultural Occupations, Michael C. Parent, Garrett M. Steede

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Research integrating the minority stress model and vocational behavior has used broad samples of sexual minority persons. Specific work contexts, particularly traditionally masculine work contexts, may be relevant areas to the integration of minority stress theory and vocational well-being. This study examined the relationship between workplace heterosexism and job satisfaction, as moderated by identity management and person-organization fit, among a sample of 114 sexual minority men, employed in agriculture, recruited from an online social network group. Contrary to prior research, integrating identity management did not moderate the relationship between workplace heterosexism and job satisfaction. Person-organization fit did moderate this relationship, …


Youth And Young Adults These Days: Perceptions Of Community Resources And Factors Associated With Rural Community Engagement, Wilson Majee, Adaobi Anakwe, Karien Jooste Jan 2020

Youth And Young Adults These Days: Perceptions Of Community Resources And Factors Associated With Rural Community Engagement, Wilson Majee, Adaobi Anakwe, Karien Jooste

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Young people’s decisions to engage or disengage in community activities can be attributed to their perceptions of community resources and opportunities. This study examined South African rural young adults’ perceptions of their future communities and influences on engaging in health promoting activities and community leadership. Survey data were collected from 58 youth and 52 young adults affiliated with key community organizations. Correlational analysis examined perceptions of community resources and participation in community leadership. Perceptions about the future of their communities differed by age, educational attainment, employment status, and number of years spent in the community and were strongly correlated with …


New Traditions: Retrospective And Prospective, G. Richard Wetherill Dec 2019

New Traditions: Retrospective And Prospective, G. Richard Wetherill

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

No abstract provided.


Community Development In Rural America: Sociological Issues In National Policy, Kenneth P. Wilkinson Dec 2019

Community Development In Rural America: Sociological Issues In National Policy, Kenneth P. Wilkinson

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Definitions of the concepts of rural, community, and development suggest problems for a policy of rural community development. An effective policy must address two barriers to development of community among residents of rural areas: 1) deficits in access to resources for meeting common needs and 2) severe inequalities in access to resources that are available. Rurality encourages community development when these barriers are low. The aim of policy should be to attack rural barriers while cultivating rural potentials for community development.


Satisfaction Among Ecological Management Workers, Theodore D. Fuller, Donald J. Shoemaker Dec 2019

Satisfaction Among Ecological Management Workers, Theodore D. Fuller, Donald J. Shoemaker

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

This paper explores levels and correlates of job satisfaction for a series of occupations concerned with ecological management in Virginia. To enhance job satisfaction, a careful balance must be maintained between organizational requirements and individual needs. Fortunately, organizational factors over which the manager can exert considerable control (specially, dimensions of bureaucratization) are more consistently related to job satisfaction than are individual factors (extent of job training, evaluation of job training, education, and job tenure).


Agricultural Service Firms: Organizational Characteristics And Linkages To Production Agriculture, Thomas A. Lyson Dec 2019

Agricultural Service Firms: Organizational Characteristics And Linkages To Production Agriculture, Thomas A. Lyson

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Using data from the 1978 Census of Agriculture and the 1978 Census of Agricultural Services, this paper examines some of the organizational characteristics of firms in seven agricultural service industry subgroups. Using the 48 contiguous states as units of analysis, an ecological analysis attempts to identify structure characteristics of farm systems that give rise to, and foster development of, off-farm agricultural service firms. Results show that considerable variation exists in the organizational and labor force characteristics across the seven industry subgroups. Other findings indicate that the spread of agricultural services in a state is positively associated with the proportion of …


Agrarian And Political Attitudes Among Small-Scale Farmers: A North Carolina Case Study, Michael D. Schulman, Regina Luginbuhl Dec 2019

Agrarian And Political Attitudes Among Small-Scale Farmers: A North Carolina Case Study, Michael D. Schulman, Regina Luginbuhl

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

This paper examines the agrarian and political attitudes of a sample of predominantly black, small-scale farmers from three North Carolina counties. Factor analysis identifies agrarian (agrarianism) and political-economic attitudes (socio-political powerlessness and stratification system illegitimacy). Regression analysis identifies the social bases of agrarianism and its relationship to socio-political powerlessness and stratification system illegitimacy. Agrarianism has a differential impact upon the legitimation of economic and political inequalities among this regionally specific segment of small farm strata.


Adoption Of Irrigation Technology: The Effects Of Personal, Structural, And Environmental Variables, Don E. Albrecht, Howard Ladewig Dec 2019

Adoption Of Irrigation Technology: The Effects Of Personal, Structural, And Environmental Variables, Don E. Albrecht, Howard Ladewig

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

During the past decade, there has been a growing interest in expanding the list of factors affecting the adoption and diffusion of agricultural technology. It has been suggested that most previous research efforts have been insensitive to contextual variables and institutional constraints. The physical environment has been suggested as one contextual variable that has been largely ignored in past adoption-diffusion research. The present study tested for the relative effects of a site-specific indicator of the physical environment (saturated thickness), as well as personal attributes and farm structural characteristics for the adoption of irrigation innovations in the Texas High Plains. The …


Comments On "Some Observations On Rural Sociology And Its Prospects", Kenneth P. Wilkinson Dec 2019

Comments On "Some Observations On Rural Sociology And Its Prospects", Kenneth P. Wilkinson

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

No abstract provided.


Some Observations On Rural Sociology And Its Prospects, R. J. Hildreth Dec 2019

Some Observations On Rural Sociology And Its Prospects, R. J. Hildreth

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Rural sociology developed largely in the land grant-USDA complex. The current status of rural sociology is briefly examined. The new agenda of rural sociologists probably will include such areas as sociology of agriculture, sociology of natural resources. and the sociology of development and economic change. The environment in which sociology will work on its new agenda, the land grant-USDA complex, is in disarray. The causes of the disarray are various academic chauvinisms. Chauvinism of philosophic orientation, disciplines, administrative structures, and academic excellence create the need for a new covenant for academe to serve society. Modest suggestions for rural sociology include …


Rural Sociology Research In The Land Grant Setting, Preston E. La Ferney Dec 2019

Rural Sociology Research In The Land Grant Setting, Preston E. La Ferney

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

A brief historical view of rural sociology as a discipline reveals an intense introspection--a preoccupation--with the role, identity, image, effectiveness, and contribution of rural sociologists and their research in the land grant setting. As one outside the discipline, the author examines the history of rural sociology and the current and/or perceived role of rural sociologists in Agricultural Experiment Station research. Finally, some perceptions are offered as to possible ways in which the discipline might improve overall effectiveness within the land grant community.


Our Authors, James H. Copp Dec 2019

Our Authors, James H. Copp

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

No abstract provided.


Acknowledgement, James H. Copp Dec 2019

Acknowledgement, James H. Copp

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

No abstract provided.


Notes From The Editorial Office (Volume 34, Issue 2), John J. Green Dec 2019

Notes From The Editorial Office (Volume 34, Issue 2), John J. Green

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Notes from the Editorial Office for Volume 34, Issue 2


Pathways For Equity In Development: Exploring The Past And Informing The Future Through The Rural Social Sciences, John J. Green Dec 2019

Pathways For Equity In Development: Exploring The Past And Informing The Future Through The Rural Social Sciences, John J. Green

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

In reflecting on the fiftieth anniversary of the Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA) and planning for the next fifty years, this SRSA Presidential Address focuses on development. Rural social scientists have the potential to contribute to the pursuit of great equity in development, and examples are shared from applied research experience in Mississippi.


Perceptions Of Local Leaders In Shale Energy Communities: Views On Influence, Inclusion, And Trust (A Research Note), Gene L. Theodori, Karen M. Douglas Dec 2019

Perceptions Of Local Leaders In Shale Energy Communities: Views On Influence, Inclusion, And Trust (A Research Note), Gene L. Theodori, Karen M. Douglas

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Data collected from random samples of residents and absentee landowners in two counties in the Eagle Ford Shale region of South Texas were used to examine the perceptions regarding influence, inclusion, and trust of local leaders and other stakeholders in the area. Additionally, two hypotheses pertaining to the association between individuals’ perceptions of inclusion by local governments—both city and county—and individuals’ levels of trust in those governments as sources of information about the positive and negative impacts of shale oil and/or natural gas development were tested and supported. Substantive descriptive and statistical analyses are reported.


The Relationship Between Length Of Community Tenure And Residents’ Volunteering At Community Events: Results From The Metro Atlanta Speaks Survey, Ramesh Ghimire, Jim Skinner Nov 2019

The Relationship Between Length Of Community Tenure And Residents’ Volunteering At Community Events: Results From The Metro Atlanta Speaks Survey, Ramesh Ghimire, Jim Skinner

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Volunteering at community events could be associated with length of community tenure as residents with longer years of “tenure” might have a greater sense of community belonging, greater social capital (e.g. social networks and trust), and greater familiarity with regional cultures, compared to new residents. Using the Metro Atlanta Speaks survey conducted in 2015 and 2016, this study finds that residents’ volunteering at community events is significantly and positively associated with their length of community tenure in metro Atlanta counties. Other sociodemographic characteristics, such as age, gender, education, income, and children in the household also significantly influence residents’ volunteering at …


Use Of The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Moca) In A Rural Outreach Program For Military Veterans, Michelle M. Hilgeman, Eugenia M. Boozer, A. Lynn Snow, Rebecca S. Allen, Lori L. Davis Nov 2019

Use Of The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Moca) In A Rural Outreach Program For Military Veterans, Michelle M. Hilgeman, Eugenia M. Boozer, A. Lynn Snow, Rebecca S. Allen, Lori L. Davis

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a free, easily accessible screener ideal for rural areas where resources are limited. We examined administration and scoring by Veteran Community Outreach Health Workers (VCOHWs); compared positive screening rates using two cutoff scores; and examined predictors of education-adjusted scores in N = 168 rural military Veterans from the Alabama Veteran Rural Health Initiative. Accuracy of administration (95 percent) and scoring (68 percent) was calculated and recommendations are offered. Higher than expected rates of positive screens were observed (40 percent using 24/30 cutoff) in this relatively young (M = 55 years) community-dwelling sample. Age, education, …


An Examination Of The Characteristics And Perceptions Of School Resource Officers In Rural And Urban Oklahoma Schools, Valerie H. Hunt, Melissa A. Taylor, Brett Fitzgerald, Eric D. Button, Brinck Kerr Nov 2019

An Examination Of The Characteristics And Perceptions Of School Resource Officers In Rural And Urban Oklahoma Schools, Valerie H. Hunt, Melissa A. Taylor, Brett Fitzgerald, Eric D. Button, Brinck Kerr

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Fueled by concerns about school violence, the number of School Resource Officers (SROs) in the United States has soared. SROs are law enforcement officers who work in elementary and secondary schools and who are tasked to increase school safety. As of 2016, 48 percent of US public schools had SROs, compared to less than one percent in the 1970s, yet there are few studies that measure their effects. In particular, the literature largely ignores rural/urban differences. This study uses survey data from SROs working in public schools in Oklahoma to understand their roles and to determine if there are differences …


Notes From The Editorial Office (Volume 34, Issue 1), John J. Green Aug 2019

Notes From The Editorial Office (Volume 34, Issue 1), John J. Green

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

No abstract provided.


Robert Wuthnow, The Left Behind: Decline And Rage In Rural America (Book Review), Peter A. Kindle Aug 2019

Robert Wuthnow, The Left Behind: Decline And Rage In Rural America (Book Review), Peter A. Kindle

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

No abstract provided.


“I Have A Job... But You Can’T Make A Living”: How County Economic Context Shapes Residents’ Livelihood Strategies, Marybeth J. Mattingly, Jessica A. Carson Aug 2019

“I Have A Job... But You Can’T Make A Living”: How County Economic Context Shapes Residents’ Livelihood Strategies, Marybeth J. Mattingly, Jessica A. Carson

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

This study explores how rural residents’ livelihood strategies are shaped by community economic and population characteristics. We use qualitative data from interviews and focus groups with low-income residents and social service providers (N=85 participants) in two rural New England counties to understand livelihood strategies within rural places. We then employ quantitative data to understand how these strategies are shaped by local historical labor markets and demographic characteristics. Although one county attracts wealthy retirees, with corresponding work opportunities in the service sector, and the other is remote and losing population, low-income workers in both places are struggling to make ends meet. …


The Nonmetro Vote And The Election Of Donald Trump, Don E. Albrecht Aug 2019

The Nonmetro Vote And The Election Of Donald Trump, Don E. Albrecht

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Securing an overwhelming majority of the rural vote was vital to Donald Trump’s surprise win in the 2016 presidential election. This article provides an analysis of the relationship between rural/urban residence and 2016 voting patterns. The Trump campaign’s unique emphasis on economic and racial issues attracted large numbers of voters from groups threatened by rapid cultural, economic, and demographic change occurring in the US. Prominent among threatened groups is the rural, white working class. The analysis reveals that rural counties where a large percentage of the residents were white, with low levels of education and working in the goods-producing industries, …


Marshallese Migrants And Poultry Processing, Jin Young Choi, Douglas H. Constance Aug 2019

Marshallese Migrants And Poultry Processing, Jin Young Choi, Douglas H. Constance

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

This descriptive study investigates the work and health conditions of Marshallese poultry-plant workers in Northwest Arkansas, a global center of the poultry industry. Poultry processing is very dangerous work including numerous human rights and ethical concerns. Processing work has historically been carried out by marginalized workers, such as women, minorities, and immigrants. The Marshallese, one of the Pacific Islander groups, are the latest wave of migrants sourced as processing workers. A survey was conducted with a site-based, convenience sample of current and former Marshallese poultry-plant workers. The final analysis was based on a total of 198 questionnaires. The study showed …