Findings of MGSP 2008 Survey 2008 MGSP Kickoff 28 October 2008

Sampling Frame 2400 surveys were mailed out –1200 farm residents –800 rural residents –400 urban residents Undeliverable/bad addresses were minimal –18 for farm residents –66 for non-farm residents

Survey response rate (2008)

Survey response rate ( )

Distribution of 2008 sample

Counties represented (2000 & 2008)

Age of respondents (2008)

Age of Respondents ( )

Gender of respondents (2008)

Gender of respondents ( )

Level of Education (2008)

Level of Education ( )

Farm Operations

Farm Size ( )

Groundwater Knowledge (2000 & 2008)

High risk perception of land use on groundwater (2008)

High risk perception of land use on groundwater ( )

Participation in Groundwater Programs ( )

Sources of Groundwater Information (2008)

Water supply to homes ( ) Farmers Non-Farmers

Origin of Public Water ( ) Farmers Non-Farmers

Testing of drinking water ( )

Water contaminants tested for in drinking water (2008)

Home and Garden Practices of Non-Farmers (2000 & 2008) Undesirable Practice

Farm Management Practices of Farmers (2008) NOTE: FAS is Farm Assessment System

Farm Management Practices of Farmers (2000 & 2008) Undesirable Practices

Farmers’ Participation in NRCS Programs (2008) NOTE: NCRS is National Resources Conservation Service

Farmers’ Participation in Assessment Systems ( )

Farmers’ Participation in Assessment Systems (2008)

Effectiveness of Assessment Systems in providing Technical Assistance (2008)

Motivating factors for participating in Assessment Systems (2008)

Barriers to participation in Assessment Systems (2008)

Knowledge of and participation in MAEAP (2008) Familiarity with MAEAP MAEAP verified

Participation in MAEAP by Farmers familiar with MAEAP (2008) Plan to be MAEAP verified MAEAP Phase 1 Attendance

Barriers to MAEAP by Non- participating Farmers (2008)

Groundwater Stewardship Participation Decision Positive Factors MAEAP Familiarity Farm Acreage Groundwater knowledge Negative Factors Age Livestock operation

Choice of Number of Groundwater Stewardship Practices Positive Factors MAEAP Familiarity MGSP participation Farm size Row crop operation Negative Factors Hay/Forage operation

Salient Findings Groundwater knowledge of Michigan residents remained at comparable level with 1996 results. Groundwater knowledge of Michigan resident is not influenced by residential location or by farm size. However, groundwater knowledge appears to be influenced by the level of education. Michigan residents’ risk perception of groundwater contamination has risen since the 2000 survey.

Salient Findings Urban residents’ perception of the impact of household and industrial material and of the impact of land uses and practices on groundwater quality is much higher than those of farm and rural residents. The list of materials and land uses and practices ranked as constituting high to moderate impact on groundwater has been steadily increasing since 1996 and those materials and land uses and practices related to agricultural production featured more prominently on these lists in 2008 than in 1996 or 2000.

Salient Findings Awareness of and participation in groundwater conservation programs declined in 2000 compared to previous years. However, large farm operators showed high level of awareness and participation than do small and medium-size farm operators. Farmers’ engagement in farm management practices indicative of good stewardship behavior is encouraging. Participation in Farm Assessment System seems to induce farmers to engage in positive groundwater stewardship practices. Non-farm home owners’ participation in home and garden practices indicative of good stewardship practices has improved from the 2000 results.

Salient Findings The practice of testing drinking water remains popular among Michigan residents although there has been a decline in the percentage of farm and non-farm households that tested their drinking water within a period of less than two years from the survey. Farm operators are as familiar with the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) as they are with most groundwater stewardship programs, although large farm operators are more likely to be familiar with MAEAP and identify it as being beneficial than do small and medium-size farm operators.

Salient Findings The decision by farmers to adopt any groundwater stewardship practices is positively influenced by knowledge about groundwater issues, farm acreage, and familiarity with MAEAP but negatively influenced by age and having a livestock operation. The choice of how many groundwater stewardship practices to adopt is positively influenced by farm size, familiarity with MAEAP, participation in MGSP and having a row crop operation but negatively influenced by having a hay or forage operation.

Race/Ethnicity (2008)

Groundwater Knowledge (2008) Statement Percentage of Respondents FarmRuralUrbanFarmRuralUrbanFarmRuralUrban Groundwater in Michigan provides water to lakes and streams. (True) Groundwater generally follows the contours of the land surface. (True) Irrigation and lawn watering can affect the amount of water leaching into the ground. (True) *81*86*88 90 Once it reaches the water table, groundwater does not move, unless pumped. (False) 81*74*60*80*64*54* Water that looks clear and tastes good is safe to drink. (False)81*93*91* *94*88* Just like surface water, groundwater flows downhill. (True) It is more cost effective to prevent pollution of groundwater than to pay for the cleanup. (True) Less than 1% of the earth’s water is available for drinking. (True) An average American uses 50 gallons of water each day. (False) Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as an interconnected series of rivers, streams, and caverns. (False) It is best to apply lawn fertilizers in the spring before the grass starts to turn green. (False) ---45*38*28* Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as a wet sponge where water fills the spaces between soil particles. (True) Approximately 50% of Michigan’s population relies on groundwater for drinking purposes. (True) The Groundwater Stewardship Program is a voluntary program that helps people select practices that reduce the risk of groundwater contamination. (True) 61*37*42*61*34*30*63*54*52*

Groundwater Knowledge (2008) Statement Percentage of Respondents Less than High School High School Diploma Some College/Assoc Degree Four Year Degree Graduate Level Groundwater in Michigan provides water to lakes and streams. (True) 77.6*74.7*83.6*88.7*82.7* Groundwater generally follows the contours of the land surface. (True) Irrigation and lawn watering can affect the amount of water leaching into the ground. (True) 80.3*84.5*90.0*91.6*94.0* Once it reaches the water table, groundwater does not move, unless pumped. (False) 62.3*60.2*70.8*76.3*74.0* Water that looks clear and tastes good is safe to drink. (False)79.4*88.9*90.1*91.7*93.3* Just like surface water, groundwater flows downhill. (True) It is more cost effective to prevent pollution of groundwater than to pay for the cleanup. (True) 81.2*86.4*93.1*90.7*95.3* Less than 1% of the earth’s water is available for drinking. (True)23.2*30.5*40.8*37.2*48.7* An average American uses 50 gallons of water each day. (False) Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as an interconnected series of rivers, streams, and caverns. (False) It is best to apply lawn fertilizers in the spring before the grass starts to turn green. (False) Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as a wet sponge where water fills the spaces between soil particles. (True) 51.5*49.8*54.5*60.8*66.0* Approximately 50% of Michigan’s population relies on groundwater for drinking purposes. (True) The Groundwater Stewardship Program is a voluntary program that helps people select practices that reduce the risk of groundwater contamination. (True)

Groundwater Knowledge (2008) StatementPercentage of respondents with correct answer FarmRuralUrban Groundwater in Michigan provides water to lakes and streams. (Correct) Groundwater generally follows the contours of the land surface. (Correct) Irrigation and lawn watering can affect the amount of water leaching into the ground. (Correct) Once it reaches the water table, groundwater does not move, unless pumped. (Incorrect) Water that looks clear and tastes good is safe to drink. (Incorrect)87*94*88* Just like surface water, groundwater flows downhill. (Correct) It is more cost effective to prevent pollution of groundwater than to pay for the cleanup. (Correct) 91 Less than 1% of the earth’s water is available for drinking. (Correct) An average American uses 50 gallons of water each day. (Incorrect) Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as an interconnected series of rivers, streams, and caverns. (Incorrect) 1011 It is best to apply lawn fertilizers in the spring before the grass starts to turn green. (Incorrect) Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as a wet sponge where water fills the spaces between soil particles. (Correct) Approximately 50% of Michigan’s population relies on groundwater for drinking purposes. (Correct) The Groundwater Stewardship Program is a voluntary program that helps people select practices that reduce the risk of groundwater contamination. (Correct) 63*54*52*

Groundwater Knowledge (2008) StatementFarm size SmallMediumLarge Groundwater in Michigan provides water to lakes and streams. (Correct) Groundwater generally follows the contours of the land surface. (Correct) 66.9*69.2*45.9* Irrigation and lawn watering can affect the amount of water leaching into the ground. (Correct) Once it reaches the water table, groundwater does not move, unless pumped. (Incorrect) Water that looks clear and tastes good is safe to drink. (Incorrect) Just like surface water, groundwater flows downhill. (Correct) It is more cost effective to prevent pollution of groundwater than to pay for the cleanup. (Correct) Less than 1% of the earth’s water is available for drinking. (Correct) An average American uses 50 gallons of water each day. (Incorrect) Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as an interconnected series of rivers, streams, and caverns. (Incorrect) It is best to apply lawn fertilizers in the spring before the grass starts to turn green. (Incorrect) Groundwater in Michigan can best be described as a wet sponge where water fills the spaces between soil particles. (Correct) Approximately 50% of Michigan’s population relies on groundwater for drinking purposes. (Correct) The Groundwater Stewardship Program is a voluntary program that helps people select practices that reduce the risk of groundwater contamination. (Correct) 57.6*74.4*75.7*