Introduction
The landscape of agriculture in Georgia in recent years has been changing. Low
commodity prices, rising input costs, and recent droughts, along with a host of
other factors, have caused Georgia producers to consider alternative enterprises
in an effort to generate additional value from the land. Further, the continued
population growth and growth of metropolitan areas has altered the perception
and role of agriculture in the State of Georgia. These factors have created both
opportunities and potential problems for agriculture. Opportunities exist for
producers to market their products and services for the enjoyment of a rapidly
growing population. Potential problems occur as the growing population and
producers learn to co-exist in the same areas.
In response to these issues, researchers in the Center for Agribusiness and
Economic Development in the Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics
at the University of Georgia conducted a survey. Survey questions were asked
over the telephone by the University of Georgia’s Survey Research Center in
January and February of 2001. During the survey period, 858 randomly selected
households were contacted. Of those eligible households, 395 gave complete
responses to the survey, which yields a 46% response rate.
There were two main types of questions in the survey. One set of questions
attempted to determine public perception and willingness to use and pay for
agricultural tourism. The results of those questions are summarized in a
publication, “Summary Results of Georgia Citizens’ Attitudes Towards
Agricultural Tourism and Land-Based Recreation Opportunities”. The second set
of questions dealt with the public’s view of animal agriculture, it’s role in the
economy and the environment and is found in the publication, “Summary
Results of Georgia Citizens’ Attitudes Towards Animal Agriculture and
Agricultural Environmental Issues.”
This publication summarizes the general characteristics of the survey population.
It covers the basic facts about those surveyed, such as age and sex. A very
basic comparison to the population of Georgia is also made in this paper. In
general, it appears the sample group is slightly more educated, wealthy and
white as opposed to the population of Georgia. However, these differences
appear to be minor. The similarities are enough to indicate the results of this
survey are reflective of the general Georgia attitude.
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Summary Statistics of Survey Sample
Age of Respondents
Age of Population:
Georgia versus Survey Group
Percent of Total
0.4
0.3
Survey Group
0.2
Georgia
0.1
0
18-24
25-44
45-65
65 +
Refused
The questionnaire was given only to adults, defined as those over the age of 18.
A portion of each age group was surveyed. The age of the sample population
closely matches the population of Georgia (Georgia County Guide).
Gender of Respondents
The survey population was roughly a 60/40 percent split of women to men. This
roughly reflects the population of Georgia, which in 1990, was 52/48 women to
men (Census Bureau).
Gender
Don't Know
0.3%
Male
40.0%
Female
59.7%
2
Marital Status of Respondents: Married, Divorced, Separated, Widowed, or
Single?
Marital Status
Single
24.3%
Don't Know
1.8%
Widowed
5.6%
Separated
0.8%
Married
60.5%
Divorced
7.1%
Over half the sample population was married. Another 25% were single.
Racial Composition of Respondents
Ethnicity
Response
Number Percent
White
296
74.94%
African-American
74
18.73%
Asian
7
1.77%
Hispanic
1
0.25%
Multi-racial
6
1.52%
Refused
8
2.03%
Don't Know
3
0.76%
395
3
Racial Composition:
Survey Group versus State
O
th
er
M
ul
tira
ci
al
H
is
pa
ni
c
As
ia
n
an
-A
m
er
W
ic
hi
an
te
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
Af
ric
Survey Group
Georgia
Almost three fourths of those surveyed were white. Another 20% were AfricanAmerican. Compared to 2000 Census figures for Georgia, the survey drew from
a slightly more white group and underestimates minorities (Census Bureau).
Educational Level of Respondents
Highest Educational Level
Response
Number Percent
1-8 Years
7
1.77%
9-11 Years
15
3.80%
HS Diploma/GED
100
25.32%
Some College/Tech.
102
25.82%
2 Year Degree
30
7.59%
Bachelor Degree
80
20.25%
Some Grad
20
5.06%
Adv/Prof Degree
38
9.62%
Unknown
3
0.76%
395
The sample population was fairly diverse in terms of educational background.
Over half had completed school work beyond high school. Only about 5%
reported not having completed high school. According to the 1990 Census, 10%
of the population has less than a 9th grade education while 25% did not graduate
high school. Roughly 20% have a bachelor or higher degree (Census Bureau).
Thus, it appears the sample population is more education than the general
population.
4
Voting Status of Respondents
Registered To Vote
No
13%
Refused
1%
Yes
86%
The vast majority of the sample population (86%) are registered voters.
Approximately 70% of Georgians are registered voters (Georgia County Guide).
“What Percentage of Your Income is Derived From Farming?”
Percent of Income Derived From Farming
Response
Number
Percent
0%
323
81.77%
1-24%
25
6.33%
25-49%
3
0.76%
50-74%
6
1.52%
75-100%
16
4.05%
Don't Know
19
4.81%
Refused
3
0.76%
395
The majority of respondents draw no direct income from farming. Only 6%
receive more than half of their income from farming.
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“What was Your Total Household Income (Before Taxes) Last Year? ”
Total Household Income
Response
Number Percent
$4,999 or less
8
2.03%
$5 -9,9999
10
2.53%
$10 - 14,999
11
2.78%
$15 - 19,999
16
4.05%
$20 - 24,999
13
3.29%
$25 - 29,999
24
6.08%
$30 - 34,999
20
5.06%
$35 - 49,999
49
12.41%
$50 - 74,999
68
17.22%
$75,000 +
85
21.52%
Don't Know
91
23.04%
395
Total household income varied across the sample population. Many respondents
indicated they did not wish to answer the question as evidenced by 23% in the
“Don’t Know” category. A 1989 breakdown of the Georgia population by income
group shows a more even distribution than the survey (Georgia County Guide).
The survey population tends to be skewed towards higher income groups.
“How Would You Classify Your Current Residence?”
Classification of Current Residence
Large City/Metro
Area
20%
Don't Know
1%
Farm
9%
Rural, non-farm
19%
Medium-Size City
11%
Large Town
5%
Small Town
23%
Medium Town
12%
6
Approximately 28% of those surveyed responded that they currently live on a
farm or in a rural setting. About 36% classified their current residence as a
town/city with population greater than 10,000. According to the 1990 Census,
roughly 35% of the population is classified as rural, both farm and non-farm and
65% of the Georgia population is classified as urban (Georgia County Guide).
While the survey classification scheme and the census classification categories
are not necessarily the same, it appears the survey group is slightly more urban
than the state as a whole.
“How Would You Classify Where You Grew Up?”
Classification of Youth Residence
Large City/Metro Area
22%
Don't Know
1%
Farm
19%
Medium-Size City
8%
Rural, non-farm
17%
Large Town
5%
Medium Town
6%
Small Town
22%
When asked to classify the residence in which they were raised, many more
reported ties to rural/farm areas. To this question, 36% responded they were
raised on a farm or in a rural area. This is 8% higher than the same category
under current residence. It also demonstrates that over one-third of the
questioned people have rural and farm backgrounds.
7
“Do You Currently Own a Farm or Ranch?”
Currently Own Farm/Ranch
Don't Know
0.3%
Yes
13.4%
No
86.3%
Only 13% of the group questioned claims to currently own a farm or a ranch.
Since 9% of the population responded they currently live on a farm, some of this
population must be living away from their farm/ranch.
“Do Any of Your Close Friends or Relatives Own a Farm or Ranch?”
Close Friends/Relatives Own Farm/Ranch
Don't Know
0.5%
No
43.3%
Yes
56.2%
8
Over half asked reported they had friends or relatives with a farm or a ranch.
This further shows that over half our sample population has some tie to a farm or
ranch.
“How Familiar Are You With Farms That Have Animal Operations?”
Level of Familiarity with Farms Having Animal Operations
Am Directly
Involved
13.2%
Don't Know
0.3%
Am Quite
Not At All Familiar
25.1%
Knowledgeable
7.8%
Have Some
Experience
18.5%
Know a Bit
35.2%
Just over half the sample reported being quite knowledgeable or directly involved
with animal operations. Another half said they had some experience or knew a
bit about animal operations. About one quarter reported no knowledge of farms
with animals.
“About How Many Miles From Your Home is the Closest Farm With Animals
Such As Hogs, Poultry or Cattle?”
Number of Miles to Closest Farm With
Animals
Response
Number
Percent
0 miles
37
9.37%
1-5 miles
156
39.49%
6-10 miles
55
13.92%
11-20 miles
42
10.63%
21-40 miles
33
8.35%
41-60 miles
18
4.56%
60+ miles
4
1.01%
Don't Know
49
12.41%
Refused
1
0.25%
395
9
Nearly half the surveyed group said they lived within 5 miles of a farm with
animals. Another quarter believe they live within 20 miles of an animal operation.
“Are You A Native Georgian or Did You Move to Georgia From Another State?”
Georgia Native State
Don't Know
0.5%
No
44.1%
Yes
55.4%
Only about half the respondents are Georgia natives. The other 44% claim
another state as home.
“If Not Georgia Native, Which State Were You Raised In?”
Home State (If not Georgia)
Response
Number
Percent
Border State
62
35.23%
Northeast
31
17.61%
Midwest
26
14.77%
West
5
2.84%
Other Southern
30
17.05%
Northwest
2
1.14%
Hawaii
1
0.57%
Out of U.S.
8
4.55%
Georgia
8
4.55%
Unknown
3
1.70%
176
About one-third of those not originally from Georgia were raised in states
bordering Georgia. Those saying they are not native Georgians but saying it was
10
their home states were most likely born in another state, but raised here in
Georgia.
“About How Many Years Have You Lived In Georgia?”
Number of Years Living in Georgia
Response
Number Percent
0-4 Years
34
8.61%
5-9 Years
31
7.85%
10-19 Years
59
14.94%
20-39 Years
137
34.68%
40+ Years
132
33.42%
Unknown
2
0.51%
395
This question is similar to age, but measures the length of stay in Georgia.
Almost 70% of the respondents have lived in Georgia from more than 20 years.
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