Focus Groups
Young and Experienced Growers Focus Groups
Two sessions were held in each of the following locations: Hopkinsville, KY, Versailles, KY, Winston-Salem, NC and Greenville, NC. At each location, one focus group was held with a group of younger producers and one with a group of older producers from the location and surrounding counties. Generally, these locations are classified as the following regions of production: Central Kentucky, Western Kentucky, and Northern Piedmont North Carolina.
The objective was to explore the factors influencing tobacco producers’ decisions and identify the major issues and opportunities affecting their farming operation.
Young and Experienced Growers Focus Groups Results
Mechanization and Labor Focus Groups
2008
Focus groups were conducted in major burley tobacco growing regions in Kentucky and Tennessee, the regions each included producers from what can be considered expansion regions or areas that have expanded burley acres since 2005. Four focus groups were held with burley producers in Daviess County, Fleming County and Pulaski County Kentucky and Macon County Tennessee.
The objective of these focus groups was to further explore the labor challenges tobacco growers are facing and the potential for adoption of mechanical harvesters and mechanical stripping machines. The main objective was to collect information from burley producers about their labor use, their thoughts on new labor-saving technology, and to explore the factors influencing tobacco producers’ decisions to invest in such labor-saving technology.
Burley Mechanization and Labor Focus Groups Results
2009
The 2009 production mechanization focus groups were conducted with burley tobacco growers in two Tennessee locations and one Kentucky location. The initial focus group was held in Lafayette, Tennessee and represented Macon County growers. The second focus group was held in Greeneville, Tennessee and included growers from Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, and Washington counties. Producers from Clark, Fayette, and Woodford counties in Kentucky attended the third focus group in Lexington, Kentucky.
The objective of these focus groups was to explore the producers’ thoughts and attitudes toward the mechanization of stripping and grading burley tobacco. The first portion of the focus group covered general questions about various types of mechanization in the burley tobacco production process and if growers were interested in mechanization as a potential source of labor savings. As an introduction to the potential of mechanized stripping/grading, a short video was shown to demonstrate one specific mechanical stripper/grader. After viewing the video, a discussion with participants was directed more specifically toward the mechanization of stripping/grading. The discussion was allowed to flow freely, guided by a list of questions from the group facilitator.
Burley Mechanical Stripper/Grader Focus Groups Results
Contact Us
Center for Tobacco Grower Research
302B Morgan Hall
2621 Morgan Circle Drive
Knoxville, Tennessee 37932
Phone: 865.974.0414
ctgr@utk.edu