Sustainable
Farming Connection |
Where
farmers find and share information. | Internet Guide for Farmers, Extension Agents
How to Find Agricultural Information on the Internet
helps farmers and other ag professionals get started.
10/16/97: Davis, Calif. -- Farmers have joined business people and
researchers worldwide in using the Internet, but are they finding the
information they need for their farms? The University of California
Sustainable Agriculture Research and
Education Program (SAREP) has a new100-page book to help them.
How to Find Agricultural Information on the Internet shows
farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, consultants and gardeners the basics of
choosing an Internet provider, figuring costs, using electronic mail, getting
answers from e-mail discussion groups, searching the World Wide Web for
practical information, finding graphics on the Web, and copying information from
the 'Net for their own use. (Full table of
contents and excerpts.)
"Farmers are going beyond using
computers just for bookkeeping," says Jill Shore Auburn, SAREP associate
director and editor of the book by Mark Campidonica. "But many of them are
unsure of the methods used to get good information off the Internet, and need
basic 'how to do it' details. Our book does just that."
Auburn says the new book is aimed at both beginning and intermediate
Internet users, and walks readers through real-life examples of farmers looking
for and copying information, posting questions to international user groups, and
shows a university scientist answering client questions. Although it is aimed at
the agricultural community, the book offers plenty of good beginning Internet
information and is useful for anyone who wants to "log on."
A recent USDA survey shows that more than 2 million computers are in
use on farms of all sizes in the U.S., with 13 percent having access to the
Internet. In California, 23 percent of the state's farmers have access to the
Internet, almost twice the national average (highest: 31 percent, New Jersey;
lowest: 4 percent, Louisiana and Mississippi).
Purchase the book through University of California DANR Communication
Services, 6701 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, CA 94608-1239 for $12 (add $3 handling +
$0.99 Calif. tax). Checks payable to UC Regents. VISA, MasterCard or purchase
orders: (800) 994-8849, (510) 642-2431; FAX: (510) 643-5470.
More information
about publications, videos and other resources from SAREP.
©1997 Committee for
Sustainable Farm Publishing
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