PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: Early stage diffusion of sustainable agriculture among conventional Georgia fruit and vegetable producers

Introduction Much of the early development and diffusion of sustainable agriculture information has occurred outside of traditional avenues for agricultural information exchange. Studies have shown that farmers engaged in sustainable agriculture obtain most of their information on sustainable practices predominately from other farmers, followed by private non-profits, other educational organizations, publications, farm tours and conferences, with Cooperative extension and land grant research institutions playing a smaller role. (Enshayan et. al., 1992; Gammon et al., 1994; Agunga, 1995; Egri, 1999; Walz, 1999; Delate & Dewitt, 2004; Agunga & Igodan, 2007; Parra-Lopez et al., 2007). While the establishment of alternative communication networks has been an effective means of spreading sustainable agriculture information, individuals engaged in these networks often have quite different personal characteristics and social networks than farmers engaged in mainstream agriculture suggesting a “culture gap” between sustainable agriculture practitioners and conventional farmers (Agunga, 1995).