The human dimension of weed control

I recently ran across an article from Western Farm Press (written last November) that I thought was interesting and worth reposting here. 

The article, which was entitled "Weed Control: Communication with Farmers Essential", provided a synopsis of a journal article on the subject.  (the scientific publication was in the Journal "Weed Science" and was titled "Investigating the Human Dimension of Weed Management: New Tools of the Trade").

Both the web article and the journal publication discussed the human dimension of how weed management decisions are made.  One of the main points was that land managers and scientists sometimes percieve problems differently and can therefore reach different conclusions on how (or whether) to respond.  The examples in the article were primarily about herbicide-resistant weeds but I think the comments and problem are applicable to almost anywhere science and agricltural practices intersect.  

A "social science" colleague and I often joust about the merits of our particular disciplines but I think it is worth remembering that weed science research doesn't have much impact if it cannot be appropriately extended to the target audience.  By understanding the human dimension of weed control decsions, hopefully we can design better extenstion programs.

Just don't tell my colleague that I conceded a social science point...

Take care,
Brad