Masters Theses

Beth A. Bell

Date of Award

5-1991

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agriculture and Extension Education

Major Professor

Roy R. Lessly

Committee Members

Cecil E. Carter, George F. Smith

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to Identify selected county leaders' perceptions of the level of severity of 14 water quality issues and the importance of these issues as program priorities for the Agricultural Extension Service. Through this study, statewide as well as specific needs are identified. Analysis included the ranking of these issues as to their level of severity and program priority for Extension. The study further analyzed the relationship between the selected county leaders' perceptions of the 14 water quality issues and their geographic region, audience classification, and place of residence.

A total of 3,257 community leaders in 95 counties responded to the survey. The questionnaires were mailed by Extension agents to community leaders representing 12 different audience groups. The chi square test (X2) was used to determine the strengths of relationships between the independent and dependent variables. The .05 level of probability was accepted as being statistically significant. Data were analyzed using the University of Tennessee Computing Center.

The major findings include:

1. The water quality issues rated by county leaders statewide as the top five in level of severity and as a program priority were: understanding the effects of current practices on future supplies of water; lack of citizens awareness of the nature and importance of water resources; lack of knowledge and use of water conservation methods; improper disposal of leftover chemicals, empty containers, used motor oil, etc; and soil erosion on farms.

2. The county leaders' geographic regions of the state were significantly related to their perceptions of 11 of the 14 water quality issues. West Tennessee county leaders tended to perceive soil erosion on farms; soil erosion from road banks, parks, and public property; and misuse of agriculture chemicals as more severe problems than did county leaders from Middle and East Tennessee.

3. Middle Tennessee county leaders tended to perceive improper disposal of leftover chemicals, empty containers, and used motor oil; and misuse of household chemicals as more severe problems than did county leaders in West or East Tennessee.

4. East Tennessee county leaders tended to perceive soil erosion from construction sites; farm livestock wastes contaminating water; inadequate supplies of safe water; lack of information about water testing; and understanding effects of current practices on future water supplies as more severe problems than did county leaders in West and Middle Tennessee.

5. The county leaders' audience classification (Extension-related/ non-Extension-related) was significantly related to their perceptions of the severity of 12 of the 14 water quality issues and 5 of the 14 program priority issues. County leaders from Extension-related audiences tended to perceive the water quality issues as more severe and higher program priorities than did county leaders from non-Extension-related audiences.

6. County leaders' place of residence (rural/urban) was significantly related to their perceptions of 6 of the 14 water quality issues in level of severity and 7 of the 14 water quality issues in program priority. County leaders from urban counties tended to perceive many of the issues as more severe and higher program priorities than did rural county leaders.

Implications and recommendations for future studies are also presented.

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