Utahns Strongly Support Agriculture, Livestock Grazing
A recent poll commissioned by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) shows that Wasatch Front residents place a high value on farming and ranching, and support livestock grazing on public lands. The public opinion survey, conducted by Dan Jones and Associates, was conducted in mid June, and had a margin of error of 7%. The survey asked 210 people living in Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah counties about farming and ranching, food security, livestock grazing, and other important agricultural issues. The poll is part of a wide ranging survey of the public, industry and commodity groups as the UDAF updates its strategic plan. View the complete poll results here.
"Ninety one percent said agriculture is important to the future of the state. That's an encouraging message to the thousands of farmers and ranchers in our state," said Agriculture and Food Commissioner, Leonard Blackham. "We're also pleased to see the support for livestock grazing, since cattle and sheep ranching are so important to rural Utah's economy," he added.
Commissioner Blackham says the continued use of grasses as a renewable resource on both private and public lands is a vital element to a healthy livestock industry in Utah. Grazing not only provides feed for livestock but also maintains healthy landscapes by controlling invasive weeds such as fire-prone cheatgrass that contribute to catastrophic fires that we've seen recently.
Poll shows opinions on a variety of agricultural topic
Answers to the 63 questions in the poll revealed an interesting profile of the respondents.
Utahns are concerned that development will impact their food supply.
Utahns strongly support livestock grazing on public lands.
Food safety is a major issue in their lives
Utahns favor diverting some of the existing sales tax on food to protect food safety.
Grocery store shoppers value freshness, nutrition and price much more than organic foods.
Importance of agriculture to Utah
An overwhelming voice of support was sounded when 91% of the respondents said farming and ranching are important to the future of the state. Just 1% disagreed. 7% were neutral on the question.
Livestock Grazing
72% of Utahns agreed or strongly agreed that livestock grazing on public lands is acceptable. 7% disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement. 18% were neutral.
Food Safety
Utahns rate food safety as the second most important issue to them. They rated education most important. We asked Utahns to rate six important issues: Crime, education, a safe food supply, the environment, the economy and health care. Education was number one with a safe food supply and the economy tying for the number two position. Crime was third with health care next and the environment last.
Sales tax
A strong majority of Utahns (69%) support using a portion of the existing tax on food to ensure a safe food supply. Just 9% disagreed with the statement. (23% were neutral on the question)
Gasoline pump accuracy
81% of Utahns think the Legislature should allocate more funds to ensure gasoline pumps accuracy.
Grocery shopping
The vast majority of people (96%) think freshness is the most important factor when shopping for food.
The next most important feature of their groceries is nutritional value, followed by price.
Organically grown food came in second to last.and brand name was last.
Connection to the farm
The survey confirms Utah's population is slowly migrating from the farm to the city.
37% responded they had lived on a farm in the past
60% of respondents said their parents had lived on a farm.
61% said they never lived on a farm.
Development
72% feel that continued development of farmland into subdivisions or other developments will eventually impact their choices at the grocery store. 7% disagree. 19% neutral on the Question
UDAF name recognition
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) had the second highest name recognition of six state departments mentioned.
Department of Health was the most recognized at 100% of respondents.
95% of those polled heard the name or knew something about the Department of Agriculture and Food
92% of those polled heard the name or know something about the Department of Commerce
91% of those polled heard the name or know something about the Department of Human Services
90% of those polled heard the name or know something about the Department of Natural Resources
79% of those polled heard the name or know something about the Department of Environmental Quality.
The complete survey is available here.
Turning Support Into Action
Commissioner Blackham says, Utahns can support agriculture by buying locally grown foods. Utah's larger grocery chains such as Smith's, Albertsons and Associated Foods already stocks many Utah grown products. Look for the Utah's Own logo to easily identify locally grown or produced foods.
The Nicholas Company supplies many restaurants with locally grown foods.
Shopping at farmers markets is another way to support Utah farming and ranching. Utah has 28 organized farmers markets (http://utahsown.utah.gov/FarmersMarkets.htm) across the state.
Buying locally grown produce supports farmers and ranchers and their communities. Locally grown foods require less energy for transportation, are more nutritious and can cost less.
Commissioner Blackham supports programs and policies that increase agriculture production and increase food security. According to the USDA, retail food prices are forecast to rise from 4.5 to 5.5 percent this year due to sharply higher energy and food commodity costs. The use of food crops for biofuels, coupled with greater food demand, has decreased the amount of food aid to underdeveloped countries and segments of our own population.
Posted August 4, 2008