Survey of Training Needs for New Farmers in Atlantic Canada

The Nova Scotia Agricultural College's Centre for Continuing & Distance Education is exploring new ways to meet the training needs of new farmers in Atlantic Canada. Traditionally, new farmers in the region gained experience working on their family's farm. Many new farmers today did not grow up on farms and must gain practical skills through different means. NSAC is exploring whether or not it is feasible for NSAC to deliver this practical training and what format will best meet the needs of aspiring farmers.

Individual survey responses will be kept confidential. The aggregated data collected from this survey will be shared internally and with NSAC's provincial partners. It will be used for the purpose of determining future directions that NSAC may wish to pursue in delivering relevant skills training to farmers in the region. Your information will not be disclosed to third parties except in compliance with the Nova Scotia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act or as otherwise required by law.

	What type of farm do you have/wish to have?	What type of marketing methods do you use/plan to use?	Do you use/are you interested in using draft power?	Are you/are you interested in certified organic?
If yes, answer in this row.	Are you currently farming? If yes, answer in this row. What type of farm do you have/wish to have?	What type of marketing methods do you use/plan to use?	Do you use/are you interested in using draft power?	Are you/are you interested in certified organic?
If no, answer in this row.	If no, answer in this row. What type of farm do you have/wish to have?	What type of marketing methods do you use/plan to use?	Do you use/are you interested in using draft power?	Are you/are you interested in certified organic?

	Very Unimportant	Somewhat Unimportant	Neutral	Important	Very Important
Work outside	*Please rate how important to you the following reasons are for being a farmer. Work outside Very Unimportant	Work outside Somewhat Unimportant	Work outside Neutral	Work outside Important	Work outside Very Important
Be my own boss	Be my own boss Very Unimportant	Be my own boss Somewhat Unimportant	Be my own boss Neutral	Be my own boss Important	Be my own boss Very Important
Earn a living	Earn a living Very Unimportant	Earn a living Somewhat Unimportant	Earn a living Neutral	Earn a living Important	Earn a living Very Important
Feed my family	Feed my family Very Unimportant	Feed my family Somewhat Unimportant	Feed my family Neutral	Feed my family Important	Feed my family Very Important
Improve health	Improve health Very Unimportant	Improve health Somewhat Unimportant	Improve health Neutral	Improve health Important	Improve health Very Important
Contribute to community	Contribute to community Very Unimportant	Contribute to community Somewhat Unimportant	Contribute to community Neutral	Contribute to community Important	Contribute to community Very Important
Environmental sustainability	Environmental sustainability Very Unimportant	Environmental sustainability Somewhat Unimportant	Environmental sustainability Neutral	Environmental sustainability Important	Environmental sustainability Very Important
Meaningful work	Meaningful work Very Unimportant	Meaningful work Somewhat Unimportant	Meaningful work Neutral	Meaningful work Important	Meaningful work Very Important
It's what my family has always done	It's what my family has always done Very Unimportant	It's what my family has always done Somewhat Unimportant	It's what my family has always done Neutral	It's what my family has always done Important	It's what my family has always done Very Important
Farming has always been my dream	Farming has always been my dream Very Unimportant	Farming has always been my dream Somewhat Unimportant	Farming has always been my dream Neutral	Farming has always been my dream Important	Farming has always been my dream Very Important
Want to live and work in a rural area	Want to live and work in a rural area Very Unimportant	Want to live and work in a rural area Somewhat Unimportant	Want to live and work in a rural area Neutral	Want to live and work in a rural area Important	Want to live and work in a rural area Very Important
Flexible working hours	Flexible working hours Very Unimportant	Flexible working hours Somewhat Unimportant	Flexible working hours Neutral	Flexible working hours Important	Flexible working hours Very Important

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neutral	Agree	Strongly agree
I don't know what I don't know, so I like broad-based courses delivered by knowledgeable experts.	*Please rate your agreement with the following statements. I don't know what I don't know, so I like broad-based courses delivered by knowledgeable experts. Strongly disagree	I don't know what I don't know, so I like broad-based courses delivered by knowledgeable experts. Disagree	I don't know what I don't know, so I like broad-based courses delivered by knowledgeable experts. Neutral	I don't know what I don't know, so I like broad-based courses delivered by knowledgeable experts. Agree	I don't know what I don't know, so I like broad-based courses delivered by knowledgeable experts. Strongly agree
I learn best on my own.	I learn best on my own. Strongly disagree	I learn best on my own. Disagree	I learn best on my own. Neutral	I learn best on my own. Agree	I learn best on my own. Strongly agree
Meeting other farmers at courses is just as valuable as the information I receive from the trainer.	Meeting other farmers at courses is just as valuable as the information I receive from the trainer. Strongly disagree	Meeting other farmers at courses is just as valuable as the information I receive from the trainer. Disagree	Meeting other farmers at courses is just as valuable as the information I receive from the trainer. Neutral	Meeting other farmers at courses is just as valuable as the information I receive from the trainer. Agree	Meeting other farmers at courses is just as valuable as the information I receive from the trainer. Strongly agree
I know what I don't know, so I like focused courses that have specific outcomes based on my needs.	I know what I don't know, so I like focused courses that have specific outcomes based on my needs. Strongly disagree	I know what I don't know, so I like focused courses that have specific outcomes based on my needs. Disagree	I know what I don't know, so I like focused courses that have specific outcomes based on my needs. Neutral	I know what I don't know, so I like focused courses that have specific outcomes based on my needs. Agree	I know what I don't know, so I like focused courses that have specific outcomes based on my needs. Strongly agree
I want training that challenges me to consider new ways of thinking and doing.	I want training that challenges me to consider new ways of thinking and doing. Strongly disagree	I want training that challenges me to consider new ways of thinking and doing. Disagree	I want training that challenges me to consider new ways of thinking and doing. Neutral	I want training that challenges me to consider new ways of thinking and doing. Agree	I want training that challenges me to consider new ways of thinking and doing. Strongly agree
I learn best in a group.	I learn best in a group. Strongly disagree	I learn best in a group. Disagree	I learn best in a group. Neutral	I learn best in a group. Agree	I learn best in a group. Strongly agree
I want a course that will increase my earning potential enough to justify the costs (tuition, travel, etc.).	I want a course that will increase my earning potential enough to justify the costs (tuition, travel, etc.). Strongly disagree	I want a course that will increase my earning potential enough to justify the costs (tuition, travel, etc.). Disagree	I want a course that will increase my earning potential enough to justify the costs (tuition, travel, etc.). Neutral	I want a course that will increase my earning potential enough to justify the costs (tuition, travel, etc.). Agree	I want a course that will increase my earning potential enough to justify the costs (tuition, travel, etc.). Strongly agree
Courses offered in my region of the province are great because they're easier to access from my community.	Courses offered in my region of the province are great because they're easier to access from my community. Strongly disagree	Courses offered in my region of the province are great because they're easier to access from my community. Disagree	Courses offered in my region of the province are great because they're easier to access from my community. Neutral	Courses offered in my region of the province are great because they're easier to access from my community. Agree	Courses offered in my region of the province are great because they're easier to access from my community. Strongly agree
Centralized courses are great because I get to meet people from across the province/region.	Centralized courses are great because I get to meet people from across the province/region. Strongly disagree	Centralized courses are great because I get to meet people from across the province/region. Disagree	Centralized courses are great because I get to meet people from across the province/region. Neutral	Centralized courses are great because I get to meet people from across the province/region. Agree	Centralized courses are great because I get to meet people from across the province/region. Strongly agree
I mainly take training that is related to legal requirements for my business (e.g. food safety, pesticide certification).	I mainly take training that is related to legal requirements for my business (e.g. food safety, pesticide certification). Strongly disagree	I mainly take training that is related to legal requirements for my business (e.g. food safety, pesticide certification). Disagree	I mainly take training that is related to legal requirements for my business (e.g. food safety, pesticide certification). Neutral	I mainly take training that is related to legal requirements for my business (e.g. food safety, pesticide certification). Agree	I mainly take training that is related to legal requirements for my business (e.g. food safety, pesticide certification). Strongly agree
I like to learn from other farmers with a lot of experience.	I like to learn from other farmers with a lot of experience. Strongly disagree	I like to learn from other farmers with a lot of experience. Disagree	I like to learn from other farmers with a lot of experience. Neutral	I like to learn from other farmers with a lot of experience. Agree	I like to learn from other farmers with a lot of experience. Strongly agree

Survey of Training Needs for New Farmers in Atlantic Canada
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