Findings of MGSP 2008 Survey

2008 MGSP Kickoff 28 October 2008

Sampling Frame

• 2400 surveys were mailed out– 1200 farm residents– 800 rural residents– 400 urban residents

• Undeliverable/bad addresses were minimal– 18 for farm residents– 66 for non-farm residents

Distribution of 2008 sample

Urban, 16.5%

Rural, 33.5%

Farm, 47.2%

Unknown, 2.8%

Age of respondents (2008)

1.3

15.4

42.3

0.0

12.2

50.8

37.0

0.3

13.6

47.8

38.340.9

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Less than 25 yrs 25-44 yrs 45-64 yrs 65yrs and over

Age group

Per

cen

tag

e o

f re

spo

nd

ents

Urban

Rural

Farm

Farm Operations

36.8

48.3

37.9

13.1

8.86.1

3.5 3.2

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

Farm Operation

Per

cen

tag

e o

f F

arm

ers

Farm Size (1996-2008)

55

21

68

31

46

22

14

33

10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1996 2000 2008

Year

Per

cen

tag

e o

f F

arm

ers

100 acres or less

101-400 acres

More than 400 acres

Groundwater Knowledge (2000 & 2008)

5154

59

555557 57 56

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Urban Rural Farm All

Sub-sample

Ave

rag

e sc

ore

(%

)

2000

2008

High risk perception of land use on groundwater (2008)

66

57

45

27

59

54

49

33

51

41

37

27

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Nation Michigan County Home/property

Location of risk impact

Per

cen

tag

e o

f re

spo

nd

ents

Urban

Rural

Farm

High risk perception of land use on groundwater (1996-2008)

3735

22

47

40

34

20

56

48

42

29

45

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Nation Michigan County Home/property

Location of risk impact

Per

cen

tag

e o

f re

spo

nd

ents

1996

2000

2008

Participation in Groundwater Programs (1996-2008)

3.3

1.4

0

3.3

2.4

1.9

6.1

4.2

2.3

4.2 4.2

2.8

3.3

1.11.4

2.7

1.9

00

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Cost share Local GWSteams

Ag chem spillasst

Tech asst Regional GWspec

GW envlopmonitoring

Program/Facility

Per

cen

tag

e cu

rren

tly

usi

ng

1996

2000

2008

Participation in Groundwater Programs (1996-2008)

3.8 3.8

0.50.9

4.7 4.75.1

2.3

6.1

4.14.4

1.4

4.9

1.9

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Clean sweep Pesticide contrecycling

Wellheadprogram

HH hazardousdroop-off

MGSP

Program/Facility

Per

cen

tag

e cu

rren

tly

usi

ng

1996

2000

2008

Sources of Groundwater Information (2008)

19

13

109

76 6

5

0

5

10

15

20

ConservationDistrict

MSU Extension Farm Bureau ConservationDistrict newsleter

Friend MSU Extensionnewsletter

Local newspaper MSU Extensionweb

Information source

Per

cen

tag

e o

f ti

me

cite

d

Water supply to homes (1996-2008)

Farmers Non-Farmers

88.7

95.4 94.1

50.4 51.3

68.7

10.4

4.6 5.9

48.6 48.3

30.4

0.9 1.0 0.4 0.80

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1996 2000 2008 1996 2000 2008

Year

Pe

rce

nta

ge

of

res

po

nd

en

ts

Private Well

Public water system

Don't know

Origin of Public Water (1996-2008)

Farmers Non-Farmers

4543

57

41

29 30

4548

33

27

39

34

10 10 10

29

32

36

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1996 2000 2008 1996 2000 2008

Year

Per

cen

tag

e o

f re

spo

nd

ents

Surface water source

Groundwater source

Don't know

Testing of drinking water (1996-2008)

67

79 79

63

6873

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1996 2000 2008

Year

Per

cen

ateg

of

resp

on

den

ts

Farm

Non-farm

Water contaminants tested for in drinking water (2008)

30.128

14.6

7.6

33.6

22.1 22.8

11.1

7.8

5.3

2.64

1.3 1.3

32.4

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Bacteria Nitrate Not Sure Pesticides Other

Water Contamination

Per

cen

tag

e o

f R

esp

on

den

ts

Farm

Rural

Urban

Home and Garden Practices of Non-Farmers (2000 & 2008)

Undesirable Practice

78

51

13

94

13

32

73

83

39

16

95

11

44

79

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Set mowercutting blade

Storepesticide in

garage

Measureamount of

water

Readdirections

Use prof lawncare provider

Drop-offprogarm

Identify pestbefore using

pesticide

Home and garden practices

Per

cen

tag

e o

f re

spo

nd

ents

2000

2008

Farm Management Practices of Farmers (2008)

NOTE: FAS is Farm Assessment System

30

66

93

79

68

4145

11

38

59

41

22

9

24

0

20

40

60

80

100

Watertesting

Containerrecycling

Triple orpowerrinsing

Use air-gapor anti-

backflow

Spill kitavailable

Writtendrift mgt

plan

Writtennutrientmgt plan

Farm Management Practice

Per

ecn

tag

e o

f F

arm

ers

FAS farmers

Non-FAS farmers

Farm Management Practices of Farmers (2000 & 2008)

Undesirable Practices

38

22 22

33

18

7

28

12

22

2928

9

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Conduct PSNT Test drinkingwater

Mix pesticideson non-porous

surface

Pesticiderecycling

Rinse awayspills

On-site farmdump

Farm management practice

Per

cen

tag

e o

f fa

rmer

s

2000

2008

Farmers’ Participation in NRCS Programs (2008)

NOTE: NCRS is National Resources Conservation Service

10.6

2.70.4 1.4 1.8 2.7

4.5

25

4.2

1.4

4.25.7

4.32.9

47.1

10 9.7

26.5

9.1

29.4

12.5

0

10

20

30

40

50

CRP CREP CSP EQIP GRP WRP WHIP

NRCS Program

Pe

rce

nta

ge

of

Fa

rme

rs

Small Farm

Medium Farm

Large Farm

Farmers’ Participation in Assessment Systems (2000-2008)

24.0

8.09.3

3.1

0.30

5

10

15

20

25

30

Farm*A*Syst Crop*A*Syst Greenhouse*A*Syst

Assessment System

Per

cen

tag

e o

f fa

rmer

s

2000

2008

Farmers’ Participation in Assessment Systems (2008)

4

0.9

12.3

1.4

38.2

18.2

0

10

20

30

40

Farm*A*Syst Crop*A*Syst

Assessment System

Per

cen

tag

e o

f F

arm

ers

Small Farm

Medium Farm

Large Farm

Effectiveness of Assessment Systems in providing Technical Assistance (2008)

Ineffective, 6%

Somewhat effective, 22%

Effective, 50%

Very effective, 22%

Motivating factors for participating in Assessment Systems (2008)

45.7 45.7

40

28.6

8.6

00

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Long termviability ofbusiness

RUP Credit Cost-shareincentives

Participation inother program

Mediacampaign

Neighbor'sparticipation

Motivation for participating

Per

cen

tag

e o

f p

arti

cip

atin

g f

arm

ers

Barriers to participation in Assessment Systems (2008)

43

36

12

7

4 3

41

34

11

7

4 3

47

29

7 63 2

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Not relevant Lack ofawareness

Lack of time Lack ofinterest

Lack oftechnical

assistance

High costs

Barrier to participation

Per

cen

tag

e o

f fa

rmer

s

Farm*A*Syst

Crop*A*Syst

Greenhouse*A*Syst

Knowledge of and participation in MAEAP (2008)

Familiarity with MAEAP MAEAP verified

Yes, 17%

No, 83%

Yes, 5%

No, 95%

Participation in MAEAP by Farmers familiar with MAEAP (2008)

Plan to be MAEAP verified MAEAP Phase 1 Attendance

Yes, 25%

No, 75%

Yes, 26%

No, 62%

Unsure, 12%

Barriers to MAEAP by Non-participating Farmers (2008)

50

33

25

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Lacks benefits Too time intensive Too expensive

Barrier to MAEAP Verification

Per

cen

tag

e o

f fa

rmer

s

Barriers to MAEAP by Non-participating Farmers (2008)

24

18

59

43

29

3633 33

50

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Too time intensive Too expensive Lacks benefits

Barrier to MAEAP Verification

Per

cen

tag

e o

f F

arm

ers

Small Farm

Medium Farm

Large Farm

Groundwater Stewardship Participation Decision

Positive Factors• MAEAP Familiarity• Farm Acreage• Groundwater

knowledge

Negative Factors• Age• Livestock operation

Choice of Number of Groundwater Stewardship Practices

Positive Factors• MAEAP Familiarity• MGSP participation• Farm size• Row crop operation

Negative Factors• Hay/Forage operation

Salient Findings

• Groundwater knowledge of Michigan residents remained at comparable level with 1996 results.

• Groundwater knowledge of Michigan resident is not influenced by residential location or by farm size. However, groundwater knowledge appears to be influenced by the level of education.

• Michigan residents’ risk perception of groundwater contamination has risen since the 2000 survey.

Salient Findings

• Urban residents’ perception of the impact of household and industrial material and of the impact of land uses and practices on groundwater quality is much higher than those of farm and rural residents.

• The list of materials and land uses and practices ranked as constituting high to moderate impact on groundwater has been steadily increasing since 1996 and those materials and land uses and practices related to agricultural production featured more prominently on these lists in 2008 than in 1996 or 2000.

Salient Findings• Awareness of and participation in groundwater

conservation programs declined in 2000 compared to previous years. However, large farm operators showed high level of awareness and participation than do small and medium-size farm operators.

• Farmers’ engagement in farm management practices indicative of good stewardship behavior is encouraging. Participation in Farm Assessment System seems to induce farmers to engage in positive groundwater stewardship practices.

• Non-farm home owners’ participation in home and garden practices indicative of good stewardship practices has improved from the 2000 results.

Salient Findings• The practice of testing drinking water remains

popular among Michigan residents although there has been a decline in the percentage of farm and non-farm households that tested their drinking water within a period of less than two years from the survey.

• Farm operators are as familiar with the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) as they are with most groundwater stewardship programs, although large farm operators are more likely to be familiar with MAEAP and identify it as being beneficial than do small and medium-size farm operators.

Salient Findings• The decision by farmers to adopt any groundwater

stewardship practices is positively influenced by knowledge about groundwater issues, farm acreage, and familiarity with MAEAP but negatively influenced by age and having a livestock operation.

• The choice of how many groundwater stewardship practices to adopt is positively influenced by farm size, familiarity with MAEAP, participation in MGSP and having a row crop operation but negatively influenced by having a hay or forage operation.

Race/Ethnicity (2008)

2.04.7

90.5

1.4 1.43.00.3

95.7

0.3 0.70.2 0.0

97.9

0.0 1.9

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

American Indian African-American White/Caucasian Spanish/Hispanic Other

Race/Ethnicity

Per

cen

tag

e o

f re

spo

nd

ents

Urban

Rural

Farmers

Groundwater Knowledge (2008)Statement Percentage of Respondents

1996 2000 2008

Farm Rural Urban Farm Rural Urban Farm Rural Urban

Groundwater in Michigan provides water to lakes and streams. (True)

80 82 85 77 78 76 82 83 78

Groundwater generally follows the contours of the land surface. (True)

57 54 61 56 52 61 63 66 69

Irrigation and lawn watering can affect the amount of water leaching into the ground. (True)

86 86 88 89* 81* 86* 88 88 90

Once it reaches the water table, groundwater does not move, unless pumped. (False)

81* 74* 60* 80* 64* 54* 72 68 61

Water that looks clear and tastes good is safe to drink. (False) 81* 93* 91* 84 89 87 87* 94* 88*

Just like surface water, groundwater flows downhill. (True) 44 45 47 44 42 43 40 44 47

It is more cost effective to prevent pollution of groundwater than to pay for the cleanup. (True)

94 95 90 94 93 90 91 91 91

Less than 1% of the earth’s water is available for drinking. (True)

45 45 43 46 42 39 37 40 36

An average American uses 50 gallons of water each day. (False) 20 15 14 14 19 19 16 17 20

Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as an interconnected series of rivers, streams, and caverns. (False)

14 10 7 18 17 14 10 11 11

It is best to apply lawn fertilizers in the spring before the grass starts to turn green. (False)

- - - 45* 38* 28* 34 32 33

Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as a wet sponge where water fills the spaces between soil particles. (True)

67 57 62 59 55 52 58 55 52

Approximately 50% of Michigan’s population relies on groundwater for drinking purposes. (True)

61 56 54 55 56 48 51 53 47

The Groundwater Stewardship Program is a voluntary program that helps people select practices that reduce the risk of groundwater contamination. (True)

61* 37* 42* 61* 34* 30* 63* 54* 52*

Groundwater Knowledge (2008)Statement Percentage of Respondents

Less than High School

High School Diploma

Some College/Assoc

Degree

Four Year Degree

Graduate Level

Groundwater in Michigan provides water to lakes and streams. (True)

77.6* 74.7* 83.6* 88.7* 82.7*

Groundwater generally follows the contours of the land surface. (True)

66.7 59.1 67.5 63.9 68.9

Irrigation and lawn watering can affect the amount of water leaching into the ground. (True)

80.3* 84.5* 90.0* 91.6* 94.0*

Once it reaches the water table, groundwater does not move, unless pumped. (False)

62.3* 60.2* 70.8* 76.3* 74.0*

Water that looks clear and tastes good is safe to drink. (False) 79.4* 88.9* 90.1* 91.7* 93.3*

Just like surface water, groundwater flows downhill. (True) 41.8 42.1 40.0 44.1 46.9

It is more cost effective to prevent pollution of groundwater than to pay for the cleanup. (True)

81.2* 86.4* 93.1* 90.7* 95.3*

Less than 1% of the earth’s water is available for drinking. (True)

23.2* 30.5* 40.8* 37.2* 48.7*

An average American uses 50 gallons of water each day. (False) 17.4 20.7 17.3 14.6 11.6

Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as an interconnected series of rivers, streams, and caverns. (False)

8.8 8.1 10.9 15.5 12.0

It is best to apply lawn fertilizers in the spring before the grass starts to turn green. (False)

30.9 27.5 33.5 42.3 36.2

Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as a wet sponge where water fills the spaces between soil particles. (True)

51.5* 49.8* 54.5* 60.8* 66.0*

Approximately 50% of Michigan’s population relies on groundwater for drinking purposes. (True)

44.9 52.3 54.5 50.5 45.3

The Groundwater Stewardship Program is a voluntary program that helps people select practices that reduce the risk of groundwater contamination. (True)

52.2 56.1 58.7 64.6 59.3

Groundwater Knowledge (2008)Statement Percentage of respondents with correct answer

Farm Rural Urban

Groundwater in Michigan provides water to lakes and streams. (Correct) 82 83 78

Groundwater generally follows the contours of the land surface. (Correct) 63 66 69

Irrigation and lawn watering can affect the amount of water leaching into the ground. (Correct)

88 88 90

Once it reaches the water table, groundwater does not move, unless pumped. (Incorrect)

72 68 61

Water that looks clear and tastes good is safe to drink. (Incorrect) 87* 94* 88*

Just like surface water, groundwater flows downhill. (Correct) 40 44 47

It is more cost effective to prevent pollution of groundwater than to pay for the cleanup. (Correct)

91 91 91

Less than 1% of the earth’s water is available for drinking. (Correct) 37 40 36

An average American uses 50 gallons of water each day. (Incorrect) 16 17 20

Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as an interconnected series of rivers, streams, and caverns. (Incorrect)

10 11 11

It is best to apply lawn fertilizers in the spring before the grass starts to turn green. (Incorrect)

34 32 33

Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as a wet sponge where water fills the spaces between soil particles. (Correct)

58 55 52

Approximately 50% of Michigan’s population relies on groundwater for drinking purposes. (Correct)

51 53 47

The Groundwater Stewardship Program is a voluntary program that helps people select practices that reduce the risk of groundwater contamination. (Correct)

63* 54* 52*

Groundwater Knowledge (2008)Statement Farm size

Small Medium Large

Groundwater in Michigan provides water to lakes and streams. (Correct) 83.7 86.1 75.7

Groundwater generally follows the contours of the land surface. (Correct) 66.9* 69.2* 45.9*

Irrigation and lawn watering can affect the amount of water leaching into the ground. (Correct)

87.1 92.4 86.5

Once it reaches the water table, groundwater does not move, unless pumped. (Incorrect)

72.1 73.4 81.1

Water that looks clear and tastes good is safe to drink. (Incorrect) 91.4 87.3 89.2

Just like surface water, groundwater flows downhill. (Correct) 45.2 33.3 48.6

It is more cost effective to prevent pollution of groundwater than to pay for the cleanup. (Correct)

91.3 92.3 100

Less than 1% of the earth’s water is available for drinking. (Correct) 40.0 32.5 37.8

An average American uses 50 gallons of water each day. (Incorrect) 19.7 9.1 13.9

Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as an interconnected series of rivers, streams, and caverns. (Incorrect)

9.9 12.7 8.1

It is best to apply lawn fertilizers in the spring before the grass starts to turn green. (Incorrect)

35.2 37.7 45.9

Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as a wet sponge where water fills the spaces between soil particles. (Correct)

59.7 51.3 56.8

Approximately 50% of Michigan’s population relies on groundwater for drinking purposes. (Correct)

49.0 48.1 51.4

The Groundwater Stewardship Program is a voluntary program that helps people select practices that reduce the risk of groundwater contamination. (Correct)

57.6* 74.4* 75.7*