Through the eyes of the Ontario farmer: a sampling of opinions of Ontario dairy goat farmers as to the sustainability of their industry

Abstract

Dairy goat farming has become increasingly popular in recent years in Ontario. This qualitative study done by semi-structured interviews, examines the why and the wherefore of the opinions held by dairy goat farmers in Ontario in regards to sustainable agriculture. It was found that these farmers feel that sustainable agriculture is important. These farmers believed their farms to be sustainable and have implemented sustainable farming practices that reflect these interests. Their primary interest is to maintain their farmland for the use of future generations as well as maintaining the economic and environmental sustainability of their farms. There is currently a lack of scientific information available for dairy goat farmers in Ontario. Challenges presented by the participants should be researched so as to better serve this budding industry which may become one of the most sustainable livestock industries in Ontario.

Author Keywords: agriculture, dairy goat, farmer opinion, farming, sustainability, sustainable agriculture

    Item Description
    Type
    Contributors
    Creator (cre): Somerville, Emma
    Thesis advisor (ths): Hutchinson, Tom
    Thesis advisor (ths): Beresford, David
    Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
    Date Issued
    2020
    Date (Unspecified)
    2020
    Place Published
    Peterborough, ON
    Language
    Extent
    90 pages
    Rights
    Copyright is held by the author, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.
    Subject (Topical)
    Local Identifier
    TC-OPET-10808
    Publisher
    Trent University
    Degree
    Master of Arts (M.A.): Sustainability Studies