Date of Award:

8-2017

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Applied Sciences, Technology, and Education

Committee Chair(s)

Kelsey L. Hall

Committee

Kelsey L. Hall

Committee

Roslynn Brain

Committee

Rebecca G. Lawver

Abstract

This purpose of this study was to describe Utah farmers’ role in farm to school (FTS) programming and their interest in institutional marketing of local foods. The researcher sent a survey to farmers belonging to the Utah Farm Bureau to discover the role they play in FTS in Utah.

Respondents held positive attitudes toward FTS programming and agreed that building relationships with community members and increasing awareness of local food were benefits. They cited a lack of information about schools seeking to purchase local products and restriction of growing seasons as barriers to their participation in FTS. They displayed their willingness to host farm tours for students and food service personnel. Respondents also indicated they are interested in training and resources related to small business assistance. The majority of respondents were male and had more than 22 years of farming experience. Subjective norms and perceived behavioral control, components of the theory of planned behavior, statistically predicted the intention of respondents to participate in farm to school programming. The results of this study suggest that other factors influenced respondents’ intention to participate in FTS programming.

Additional research should discover the role of farmers in FTS in other states and regions. One suggestion was for stakeholders to increase outreach and marketing to farmers who may be interested in FTS programming. A broader understanding of the role of farmers’ in FTS programming may allow stakeholders to more effectively work with farmers.

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