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Applied and Extension

Media sentiment in anaerobic digestion coverage: A qualitative content analysis Forrest Stagner*, Forrest Stagner, Chris Morris, Michael Helbing, J. Arbuckle, Frank Montabon,

Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been posited as a win-win solution for managing waste on livestock farms due to its promised benefits of reduced odors and greenhouse gas emissions, increased renewable energy production, and production of beneficial farms products. On-farm AD has its detractors, however, who argue that digesters only benefit energy companies and large, concentrated animal feeding operations. To better understand public sentiment regarding on-farm AD, our team undertook a qualitative content analysis of sentiments expressed in newspaper, television, and radio coverage of on-farm AD. We searched the Lexis-Nexis database for transcripts related to on-farm AD, finding 475 transcripts which fit our criteria over the time period 1979-2023. Building on a previous quantitative analysis of sentiments presented in the dataset, we coded a sample of positive, negative, mixed, and neutral media coverage of AD on farms. Given our previous findings that sentiment becomes more negative as people gain greater exposure to the technology, these frames provide stakeholders with greater understanding of what people appreciate about AD and what generates resentment to improve community relations with AD operations. Preliminary findings indicate concerns about pollution and hope for increased environmental sustainability and economic development.