CHAPTER 6
 CONCLUSION

 Future Directions

 Traditional agricultural practices developed from a culmination of knowledge and

beliefs that evolved by adaptive processes (Berkes, 1999). TAP are not necessarily

practices static in nature. This is evident in this research. Development of a common

definition of Cherokee TAP may never be fully realized due to differences in perspective

and opinion of participants. However, the examination of farmers' persistent use of

certain farming technologies provides insight into farmers' perceptions, beliefs and

identities related to TAP.

 Research should examine the markers that define traditional by the practices

consistently identified by research participants as traditional. Assessing commonly

referenced traditional practices are more accurate measures of behaviors. They also

provide insight about the meaning of traditional to a specific community.

 What influences farmers to maintain or reject traditional beliefs and values

exhibited by using TAP? This study offers a partial answer to this question. The ability

to sustain using certain agricultural behaviors may require different methods for different

types of agricultural systems. If maintaining conventional agricultural technologies is a

primary goal, then enhancing components that increase socioeconomic status and direct

benefits may encourage continued use of these technologies. On the other hand, if

maintaining traditional agricultural practices is important, increasing awareness and