| The purpose of this qualitative case study was to measure small farmers' awareness of microelectronics technology as a decision and operational management tool for farming sustainability. Government policies on agricultural business since 1930s support industrialized large farming, often at the expense of small farmers. Behavioral and social management theories, together with the concepts of ecosystem sustainability, were used to understand how individual small farmers sustainably managed their operations and supported the demand for bioenergy feedstock. Purposive sampling of multiple farm types consisted of interviews of 20 farmers at 20 farm sites in the range of 3--2,000 acres in the state of Texas. Farm locations and producers' data were collected from state organizations and extension agencies. Data were collected on farmers' management functions; on routine work and business processes; and the awareness, adoption, and perception of microelectronics technology for sustainable farming. Reliability and validity of the instrument were ensured via a pilot study with agents and officials of USDA, Texas AgriLife Extension; Go Texan of Texas Department of Agriculture; and Texas Farm Bureau for reliability and construct validity. Collected data were coded for themes; these themes were then quantified by their frequency. The median and mode of the use of integrated microelectronics technology awareness among participants for farm management was 0%, yet the desire to use the technology was 100%. These findings illustrate an interest among small farmers for new technology to improve their sustainability. Small farmers need the help of the academic-based institutions, governmental agencies, agricultural groups, policy-decision makers, and farming advisors for continuous improved sustainability. |
