A Midwest Perspective on Biochar Integration in Extension
Biochar can be considered a climate-smart, agricultural soil amendment due to its ability to provide long-term storage of carbon. Research examining the impacts of biochar-enriched soils reported improved soil characteristics often leading to agricultural benefits, especially in nutrient-poor soils....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Mississippi State University
2024-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Human Sciences and Extension |
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| Online Access: | https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/jhse/vol12/iss2/5/ |
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| author | Blake C. Colclasure Elizabeth Bose Jack Dempsey Taylor K. Ruth |
| author_facet | Blake C. Colclasure Elizabeth Bose Jack Dempsey Taylor K. Ruth |
| author_sort | Blake C. Colclasure |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Biochar can be considered a climate-smart, agricultural soil amendment due to its ability to provide long-term storage of carbon. Research examining the impacts of biochar-enriched soils reported improved soil characteristics often leading to agricultural benefits, especially in nutrient-poor soils. Despite the potential use of biochar in the Midwest, United States, few studies have examined biochar in Extension. This study, guided by the Theory of Reasoned Action, used survey methodology to collect information on Midwest Extension agents’ (n = 125) knowledge, attitudes, and subjective normative beliefs toward biochar. These factors, along with agents’ demographics and perceptions toward sustainable soil amendments, were used to predict agents’ future intent to incorporate biochar in their work-related activity. On average, respondents correctly answered approximately half of 12 true-false statements on biochar. Respondents’ attitudes toward biochar, as well as their perceptions of other agents’ attitudes, were, on average, neutral. Agents held moderate importance in promoting sustainable soil amendments. On average, respondents indicated being neither likely nor unlikely to incorporate biochar in their work-related activity, but high variability was found. A significant model was produced that indicates agents who are more knowledgeable about biochar and view biochar more favorably are more likely to incorporate biochar in future work. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-af0b15c8f3e94ce1ab4f9658148c211a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2325-5226 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-07-01 |
| publisher | Mississippi State University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Human Sciences and Extension |
| spelling | doaj-art-af0b15c8f3e94ce1ab4f9658148c211a2025-01-17T20:04:26ZengMississippi State UniversityJournal of Human Sciences and Extension2325-52262024-07-01122https://doi.org/10.55533/2325-5226.1466A Midwest Perspective on Biochar Integration in ExtensionBlake C. Colclasure0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8375-286XElizabeth Bose 1Jack Dempsey2Taylor K. Ruth3University of TennesseeDoane University University of IllinoisUniversity of TennesseeBiochar can be considered a climate-smart, agricultural soil amendment due to its ability to provide long-term storage of carbon. Research examining the impacts of biochar-enriched soils reported improved soil characteristics often leading to agricultural benefits, especially in nutrient-poor soils. Despite the potential use of biochar in the Midwest, United States, few studies have examined biochar in Extension. This study, guided by the Theory of Reasoned Action, used survey methodology to collect information on Midwest Extension agents’ (n = 125) knowledge, attitudes, and subjective normative beliefs toward biochar. These factors, along with agents’ demographics and perceptions toward sustainable soil amendments, were used to predict agents’ future intent to incorporate biochar in their work-related activity. On average, respondents correctly answered approximately half of 12 true-false statements on biochar. Respondents’ attitudes toward biochar, as well as their perceptions of other agents’ attitudes, were, on average, neutral. Agents held moderate importance in promoting sustainable soil amendments. On average, respondents indicated being neither likely nor unlikely to incorporate biochar in their work-related activity, but high variability was found. A significant model was produced that indicates agents who are more knowledgeable about biochar and view biochar more favorably are more likely to incorporate biochar in future work.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/jhse/vol12/iss2/5/attitudesclimate-smart agricultureknowledgesoilsustainabilitytheory of reasoned action |
| spellingShingle | Blake C. Colclasure Elizabeth Bose Jack Dempsey Taylor K. Ruth A Midwest Perspective on Biochar Integration in Extension Journal of Human Sciences and Extension attitudes climate-smart agriculture knowledge soil sustainability theory of reasoned action |
| title | A Midwest Perspective on Biochar Integration in Extension |
| title_full | A Midwest Perspective on Biochar Integration in Extension |
| title_fullStr | A Midwest Perspective on Biochar Integration in Extension |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Midwest Perspective on Biochar Integration in Extension |
| title_short | A Midwest Perspective on Biochar Integration in Extension |
| title_sort | midwest perspective on biochar integration in extension |
| topic | attitudes climate-smart agriculture knowledge soil sustainability theory of reasoned action |
| url | https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/jhse/vol12/iss2/5/ |
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