• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to compare total energy expenditure (including PAL and RMR) of Korean farmers between the farming season and off farming season and to assess the accuracy of estimated energy requirement (EER) prediction equation reported in KDRIs. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects were 72 Korean farmers (males 23, females 49) aged 30-64 years. Total energy expenditure was calculated by multiplying measured RMR by PAL. EER was calculated by using the prediction equation suggested in KDRIs 2010. RESULTS: The physical activity level (PAL) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the farming season (male $1.77{\pm}0.22$, female $1.69{\pm}0.24$) than the off farming season (male $1.53{\pm}0.32$, female $1.52{\pm}0.19$). But resting metabolic rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the off farming season (male $1,890{\pm}233kcal/day$, female $1,446{\pm}140kcal/day$) compared to the farming season (male $1,727{\pm}163kcal/day$, female $1,356{\pm}164kcal/day$). TEE ($2,304{\pm}497kcal/day$) of females was significantly higher in the farming season than that ($2,183{\pm}389kcal/day$) of the off farming season, but in males, there was no significant difference between two seasons in TEE. On the other hand, EER of male and female ($2,825{\pm}354kcal/day$ and $2,115{\pm}293kcal/day$) of the farming season was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those ($2,562{\pm}339kcal/day$ and $1,994{\pm}224kcal/day$) of the off farming season. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that there is a significant difference in PAL and TEE of farmers between farming and off farming seasons. And EER prediction equation proposed by KDRI 2010 underestimated TEE, thus EER prediction equation for farmers should be reviewed.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.23 no.E1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2007

In Korea, there is only a limited amount of information currently available on the levels of airborne bacteria and fungi of cattle sheds, although certain portions of people are potentially exposed to these bioaerosols in cattle sheds. Accordingly, the current study measured them inside cattle sheds, inside and outside farmers' houses near the sheds, and/or inside residential houses far away from the sheds during winter, 2004 and summer, 2005. The airborne bacteria and fungi were detected in most samples in the cattle farmers' houses as well as in the cattle sheds. Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium, which have been associated with adverse health effects, were three most prevalent fungal genera, and they took most of the total fungi (more than 69%). The microbial concentrations measured inside the cattle sheds were comparable to those in other reports. Nevertheless, the present arithmetic and geometric mean (GM) microbial concentrations exceeded the Korean guideline for total airborne bacteria at medical facilities ($800\;CFU\;m^{-3}$), the current GM residential indoor concentrations at houses, and the residential indoor levels reported in other countries. The present findings suggest the need for a strategy to reduce Korean cattle farmers' exposure to these microorganisms. In contrast to the microbes, it is suggested that the cattle shed is not an important microenvironment for $PM_{10}$ exposure. Two characteristics examined in this study (seasonal variation and summer survey period, i.e., temperature and humidity) were all important for the cattle farmers' occupational exposure to airborne microbes. The lack of constancy between highest and lowest concentrations of bioaerosols over the survey period further suggests the necessity of performing a long-term survey to better examine farmer exposure levels and their variability.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.523-538
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• 2013

To help improve the current government practice of direct damage-compensation policies, resulting from the loss of profit, sustained by Hanwoo farmers, as a result of the recent Korea-U. S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA), this research aims to examine any problems or issues caused by said policies. To accomplish this task, we have established Hanwoo-SIMO model and estimated the damage of Hanwoo farmers, one without the implementation of the FTA and another with the FTA, to compare and contrast the two. We then analyzed the efficacy of the current government policies. According to our analysis, the current direct compensation policies for the loss of profit on the part of Hanwoo farmers are insufficient. To address this problem, we recommend the government enact a new direct damagecompensation law to address the following issues. First, as the base formula of damage-compensation, the government should use current price of the beef rather than the annually changing flexible price. Second, the flexible control index should remain fixed at 1.0 rate while the government prepares the adequate amount of the damage compensating direct payment resulting from the FTA. Third, the direct government compensation policy should extend beyond the current 15 years (2013-2026) as the profit loss is expected to increase after the midpoint of the FTA.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.707-716
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the management performance and production efficiency of strawberry farmers who introduced smart farming, one of the primary symbols of the fourth industrial revolution in the agricultural sector. Methods: We conducted an empirical survey of strawberry farms using smart farming and analyzed production efficiency using DEA method. Results: First, difficulties for strawberry farmers introducing smart farming included time and money spent on parts replacement and additional costs due to compatibility problems with existing facilities after the adoption. Second, strawberry farmers using smart farming increased their total income by producing higher yield and improving quality thanks to the competent growth management. Third, the analysis of production efficiencies before and after smart farming found improvement in technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency, and scale efficiency. But, the gaps in technical and scale efficiencies among the farms widened. Conclusion: Based on the results above, following policy suggestions are offered. First, an environment control technology suitable for strawberry farming needs to be developed. Second, the smart farming technology needs to be standardized by the government. Third, new smart farm models need to be developed to accommodate to the facilities and environment in Korea through collecting big data including high-quality data on the environment, growth, and yield. Fourth, continuing education needs to be provided to narrow the gap in smart farming technology among strawberry farmers.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2017

This paper presents improvement of consumer's access and convenience to Farmers Market(Local Food Shop). We analyzed case studies and proposed plans of Local Food Shop and related facilities. The results are described below. Thorough pre-education and public relations with extensive support for agricultural products in the area and external support are necessary. Most importantly, the consuming population was close. These factors were the factors of success. Tourists' visit is effective. Consumer distance should be within 10km. Long distance tourists need a way to attract tourists on weekends. It is an advantage that there are many consumers. And it would be nice to have a market in the vicinity. And it is necessary to develop various activities such as experience activities and programs. Also, a place convenient for cooperation with the government office, public health center, etc. is good. Accessibility is enhanced when ICs of frequent highway and highway are close to cars. As a suggestion of placing a direct sales place, we will set up a place for consumers to collaborate and relax and also consider the convenience of providers. For the convenience of consumers' shopping, including sales outlets, we set up booths for daily necessities and industrial products, and place other agricultural cooperatives (NACF banks), local cafes and farmer restaurants in front. Consider multifunction combined service center for consumers and farmers.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.435-461
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• 2011

This study was conducted field surveys and theoretical discussion whether small farmers thinks there are economics of scope in small organically grown cropslivestock farming cycling system. The discussions are summarized as follows. At the end of October 2011, the cycling agriculture farms are only a total of 15 farmers, 0.1% of total organic farms in Korea. The FMD disease, FTA, family farm structure, the importance of animal health and welfare, agricultural cycles, when considering the valuation of the multifunctionality, alternative agriculture is small farming cycling system. Organic agriculture is a 'cooperation-cycling-family farm' in the interaction it is important to understand. The two groups were surveyed. Group 1 is 6 farmers who practicing cycling farming system, and Group 2 is the 33 farmers who wish to cycling farming system. Interview survey and the survey results was obtained as follows. First, We find that there are strong economies of scope, due to a decreased costs have increased net profit. Second, the multifunctional values is realized also cycling farming system. Third, but some certification standards leads to high transaction cost. Thus, a small family farm who wishing to target organic livestock certification standards need to improve.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.59-64
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• 2009

This study was conducted in order to investigate prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) for farmers. The study was based on self-reporting questionnaire. The MSDs prevalence was ascertained by using three criteria, which are known as NIOSH criteria 1, 2 and 3. The results showed that the prevalences of MSDs in at least one body site by criteria 1, 2 and 3 were 96.4%, 66.7% and 26.2%, respectively. The MSDs prevalences for the shoulder by criterion 1 was the highest, followed by the lower back, neck, while the rates for the hip, feet and fingers were relatively low. Farmers' age, types of corps, working hours/day, length of service and length of service in current corps were not significant on the MSDs prevalences, except that types of corps and length of service in current corps were significant on the MSDs prevalences by criterion 2(p

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.45-54
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• 2014

The main purpose of this study is to provide the back-from-city farmers with the information about the melon cultivation technology by surveying 268 farm houses in the major melon producing districts such as Seongju and Chilgok. For the purpose, this study classifies the essential technologies that the melon experts think as most important into 6 categories: size of plastic film house, covering film, varieties of oriental melon, lagging cover, ventilation method and ways to reduce repeated-cultivation damage. The result of the study shows that the back-from-city farmers should consider the following items when they choose to cultivate oriental melons. For the size of plastic film house, the ventilation method and the covering film of plastic film house, it is better to choose the latest technology. Even though it may require larger initial investment, the latest technology can increase the production and lower the cost. In case of variety, it is better to choose popular or the most widely grown ones rather than the new ones. The lagging cover should be selected in consideration of climate conditions such as average temperature and humidity, transplant time and harvest time of the farming region.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2008

=Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the diferences in Farmer's syndrome between greenhouse-melon farmers and rice farmers. Methods: The study included 160 residents, who lived in rural community. Of those subjects, 73 and 87 from June 1 to July 30, 2006. Respondents were interviewed by means of a structured questionnaire. Results: This study showed that greenhouse-melon farmers had a lower average age, shorter experience of farming, more working hours per day than rice farmers (p<0.05). n farmers was 38.4% respectively, the prevalence in rice farmers was 22.6%. There was statistically significant diference in the prevalence of Farmer's syndrome between greenhouse-melon and rice farmers (p<0.05). The most frequent symptoms among eight symptoms that constitute the Farmer's syndrome were lumbago, shoulder pain and nocturnal urination regardless of type of farming. But greenhouse-melon farmers had higher prevalence of muskuloskeletal symptoms, such as lumbago and shoulder pain, than rice farmers (p<0.05).Conclusions: These results showed that prevalence of Farmer's syndrome was more common in the tools which reduce physical burden and take a rest and exercise periodically during work in the greenhouse-melon farmers.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.399-411
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• 2007

Korean organic farming has been well developed over the last two decades. It demonstrates that the number of certificated farm for organic agriculture and products have been drastically increased in recent year. However, the organic farmers have thought that organic farming rely only on organic fertilizer and they don't keep organic farming principle in which organic farmer should enhance biological activity and crop rotation. This study was to compare nutrient input, recommendation, cropping system and organic product circulation between the early $20^{th}$ century and beginning of the $21^{st}$ century. The population of Korea has increased 7.3 times more than that of a century ago but cultivated land has been decreased during 100 years. The rice production in 2002 was 4.2 times higher than that of production in 1912. The input of N, P and K in 1907 on the basis of King's suggestion was 95.6kg/ha, 15.9kg/ha and 3.0kg/ha, respectively. Nitrogen came from excreta (40%), green manure (55%) and compost (5%) in the early 20th century. On the other hand, organic farmer input organic resources such as wood chip (30.1%), compost (27.8%), rice straw (14%) and others (25%) these days. In terms of nutrient balance calculated nutrient and absorption by plants, organic rice farmer apply excessive nitrogen and phosphorus to the soil. They was used to put $7{\sim}10$ times more nitrogen than that of a century ago. Nutrient recommendation was similar in N and P between early 20th century and early $21^{st}$ century. Farmers in both century did not rotate crops in the field. Today, organic farmers engaged in more continuous cultivation than in early 20th century. Farmers in the early $20^{th}$ century produced locally, consumed locally the agricultural products, but organic farmers in the $21^{st}$ century produce the organic product in the local farmland and consumed in the large city and also a lot of foreign organic products have been imported in recent year.