The adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) has been very helpful to attain agricultural sustainability. However, practices are localized and site specific and, thus, less understood in Kentucky. A research was conducted throughout the Kentucky using double stratified survey method to understand farmer’s perception about their farm and farming practices sustainability, adoption of sustainable agriculture practices (SAPs) and adoption barriers of sustainable agriculture practices. The research found that farmers generally perceive that their farm and farming activities are sustainable. The results of negative binomial regression analysis suggest that row crop growers, farmers in favor of diversification, and formal education level increase probability of SAPs adoption. Vegetable growers, and farmers with irrigation facilities also increase probability of the adoption. Income from agro-tourism, land operated, age are significant variables of the adoption of SAPs in Kentucky. Inadequate knowledge, perceived difficulty of implementation, lack of (adequate) market, negative attitude about technologies, and lack of (appropriate) technologies were major adoption barriers of SAPs in Kentucky.

1. Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Practices among
Kentucky Farmers and Their Perceptions about Farm
SustainabilityBijesh Mishra (bijesh.mishra@kysu.edu), Buddhi Gyawali (buddhi.gyawali@kysu.edu), Marion Simon (marion.simon@kysu.edu), Louie Rivers (louie.rivers@kysu.edu)
ABSTRACT
The adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) has been very helpful to
attain agricultural sustainability. However, practices are localized and site specific
and, thus, less understood in Kentucky. A research was conducted throughout
the Kentucky using double stratified survey method to understand farmer’s
perception about their farm and farming practices sustainability, adoption of
sustainable agriculture practices (SAPs) and adoption barriers of sustainable
agriculture practices. The research found that farmers generally perceive that
their farm and farming activities are sustainable. The results of negative binomial
regression analysis suggest that row crop growers, farmers in favor of
diversification, and formal education level increase probability of SAPs adoption.
Vegetable growers, and farmers with irrigation facilities also increase probability
of the adoption. Income from agro-tourism, land operated, age are significant
variables of the adoption of SAPs in Kentucky. Inadequate knowledge, perceived
difficulty of implementation, lack of (adequate) market, negative attitude about
technologies, and lack of (appropriate) technologies were major adoption
barriers of SAPs in Kentucky.
BACKGROUND
METHODS
Double stratified sampling method was used to select 1000 farmers to send
surveys throughout Kentucky. Survey was sent out from North Carolina Print Mail
Center and returned to Regional Field Office of USDA/NASS at Louisville, KY. 31
commonly adopted sustainable agriculture practices were identified through
literature review. Focus group was conducted to get the initial insight of adoption
of listed practices. 230 Survey were weighted using Proportional weight and
analyzed using Negative Binomial Regression Model for the result as the
dependent variable was a count variable with over-dispersion.
USDA/NIFA- “ Farm Diversification for Strengthening of Small Farms in KY- Award # 2014-6800621865.
Summaries were derived using data collected in the 2014 Kentucky State University Economic Survey by the National Agriculture Statistics Service, United States Department of
Agriculture (NASS). Any interpretations and conclusion derived from the data not necessarily represents NASS views.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
RESULTS
CONCLUSIONS
The increasing demand for food is leading to the modernization and globalization
of agriculture which has resulted in heavy use of chemicals, hybrid and transgenic
crops (Alteri, 2009; Rusch et al., 2010). With the changing scenario of Kentucky
agriculture, farming methods and crops mix have been continuously changing.
Farmers are looking alternative sustainable agriculture farming methods which
can be achieved through the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices (SAPs)
(Tanaka et al., 2012; UK 2009). The successful adoption of SAPs depends upon
several aspects such as farmers’ socioeconomic status, farm attributes,
demographics, behaviors and attitudes in this changing context (Coxe & Hedrich,
2007; Mesner & Paige, 2011).
This research summarize the findings of a research conducted in Kentucky State
University with the focus on three main objectives: 1) Explore farmer’s perception
about farm and farming practice sustainability, 2) Identify predictors of
sustainable agriculture practices adoptions using farm attributes, farmers’
attitudes and behaviors, socioeconomic and demographics and knowledge and 3)
Evaluate adoption barriers of sustainable agriculture practices adoption among
Kentucky farmers. This poster briefly discuss about the characteristics of Kentucky
farmers followed by three objectives mentioned in the order above.
Characteristics and Farm Attributes of Kentucky Farmers:
WORKS CITED
Figures: Focus group discussions among Farmers.
Variables N Mean Std. Error of Mean Std. Deviation Variance
Crops 230 0.543 0.019 0.346 0.154
Veggies 230 0.1597 0.0242 0.36710 0.135
Livestock 221 0.81 0.027 0.396 0.157
TBP Participation 191 0.42 0.045 0.617 0.380
Diverse 204 0.42 0.035 0.495 0.245
Inadequate Knowledge 230 0.15 0.024 0.361 0.130
Irrigation 230 0.0378 0.0126 0.19120 0.037
Work Off Farm 210 0.49 0.035 0.501 0.251
Sole Proprietorship 230 0.75 0.029 0.436 0.190
Agro-Tourism Income 193 0.03 0.013 0.182 0.033
Land Operated 230 169.596 36.165 548.457 300,804.589
Land Owned 224 144.597 22.275 333.445 111,185.604
Land Rented 57 197.582 94.545 716.441 513,287.755
Age (Years) 207 62.85 0.850 12.240 149.813
In Farming (Years) 187 33.28 1.352 18.487 341.781
Decision Making (Years) 185 29.86 1.200 16.337 266.901
Farmer's Education Level 191 2.67 0.088 1.210 1.464
Income*
187 1.80 0.081 1.101 1.212
Objective 1: How would you rate your farming practices as sustainable?
Variables Variables Descriptions β Std. Error
Wald Chi-
Square
Sig. Exp. (β)
Constant -0.305 0.9138 0.111 0.739 0.737
Crops*** Row crop farmers. 1 = Yes, 0 = Otherwise. 1.067 0.2388 19.967 0.000*** 2.907
Veggies** Vegetable farmers. 1 = Yes, 0 = Otherwise 0.555 0.2816 3.892 0.049** 1.743
Livestock Livestock farmers. 1 = Yes, 0 = Otherwise. 0.363 0.3386 1.147 0.284 1.437
TBP
Participation in Tobacco Buyout Program. 1 =
Yes, 0 = Otherwise.
0.181 0.2152 0.705 0.401 1.198
Diverse***
Farmers in favor of diversification. 1 = Yes, 0 =
Otherwise.
0.778 0.2100 13.730 0.000*** 2.178
Inadequate
Knowledge
A barrier for adoption of SAPs. 1= Yes, 0 =
Otherwise.
-0.254 0.2706 0.882 0.348 0.776
Irrigation**
Farmer with irrigation facility in Farm. 1 = Yes, 0
= Otherwise.
0.948 0.4261 4.954 0.026** 2.582
Work Off Farm
Farmers working off Farm. 1 = Yes, 0 =
Otherwise.
0.109 0.2632 0.172 0.679 1.115
Sole Proprietorship
Farmers with sole ownership of farm land. 1 =
Yes, 0 = Otherwise.
-0.070 0.2717 0.067 0.796 0.932
Agro-tourism
Income*
Farmers drawing income from agro-tourism. 1 =
Yes, 0 = Otherwise.
0.927 0.5187 3.193 0.074* 2.526
Land Operated* Total land operated (Acres) 0.001 0.0004 3.620 0.057* 1.001
Age* Age of Farmers (Years) -0.022 0.0118 3.611 0.057* 0.978
Education Level***
Formal education level of farmers. 1= less than
high school, 2 = high school degree, 3 = some
college education, 4 = college degree, 5 =
professional or graduate degree.
0.305 0.0822 13.771 0.000*** 1.357
Value/df Deviance 1.891 Pearson Chi-squared 1.891
N = 205. Significance Level: *** = 99% CI/ 0.001 SL; ** = 95% CI or 0.05 SL; and * = 90% CI or 0.10 SL.
Dependent Variable: Adoption of Sustainable Agriculture practices (SAPs) among Kentucky Farmers.
Objective 2: Factors affecting adoption of Sustainable Agriculture Practices in Kentucky:
Table: Number of SAPs adopted by individual farmers.
Number of
SAPs
Frequency (Percent)
Cumulative
Percent
0 (Not
Adopted)
150 (65.32%) 65.3
1 to 7 51 (22.37%) 87.7
8 to 14 22 (9.39%) 97.1
15 to 21 5 (2.27%) 99.3
22 to 28 2 (0.65%) 100.0
Total (N) 230 (100%)
Adoption Barriers of SAPs Frequency (Percent)
Inadequate Knowledge 35 (15.22%)
Perceived Difficulty of Implementation 12 (5.22%)
Negative Attitude About Technologies 8 (3.84%)
Lack of Adequate Market 8 (3.48%)
Lack of Appropriate Technologies 7 (3.04%)
Lack of Consumer Acceptance 3 (1.30%)
Happy With What I am Doing 99 (43.04%)
Others 7 (3.04%)
Total 183 (79.57%)
Missing 47 (20.43%)
Total 230 (100%)
Objective 3: Adoption barriers of Sustainable Agriculture Practices in Kentucky:
Altieri, M. A. (2009). Agroecology, small farms, and food sovereignty. Monthly Review, 61(3), 102. doi:10.14452/mr-061-03-2009-07_8
Rusch, A., Valantin-Morison, M., Sarthou, J. P., & Roger-Estrade, J. (2010). Biological control of insects pests in agroecosystem: effects of crop management, farming systems and
seminatural habitats at the landscape scale: A review. In Advances in Agronomy (Vol. 09, pp. 219-259). Elsevier Inc. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-385040-9.00006-2
Coxe, H.M. & Hedrich, M. F. (2007). Manual of Best Management Practices for Maine Agriculture. Maine Department of Agriculture, Food & Rural Resources, Division of Animal
Health and Industry. Retrieved in October 24, 2016 from https://www1.maine.gov/dacf/php/nutrient_management/documents/BMP-Manual-Final-January-2007.pdf
Mesner, N., & Paige, G. (2011). Best Management Practices Monitoring Guide for Stream Systems (R. Waggener, Ed.). Retrieved November 15, 2016, from
http://www.uwyo.edu/bmp-water/docs/bmp mon guide streams web.pdf
Tanaka, K., Williams, M., Jacobsen, K., & Mullen, M. D. (2012). Teaching Sustainability, Teaching Sustainability (First Edition ed.). Virginia: Stylus Publishing, LLC.
University of Kentucky. (2009). Five Years after the Tobacco Buyout Program. (M. Jackson, Ed.) The Ag Magazine, 10(3). Retrieved from
http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/magazine/2009/FALL-2009/Articles/FiveYearsAftertheTobaccoBuyout.html
This research includes small farmers with income level below $100,000 and operated land
acreage below 500 Acres. Though, 65.32% of farmers are non-adaptor of SAPs, large
number of farmers believe that they are farming sustainably. Vegetable growers, row crop
growers and farmers with irrigation are significant and positive predictors of adoption of
sustainable agriculture practices whereas age is significantly negative. Inadequate
Knowledge and difficulty of implementation, being two major barriers of adoption,
suggests importance of trainings and extension to fight against these adoption barriers.
Figure: Survey Sent and Received
(Ag. District Wise)
6
36
41
59
65
2.5
15.8 17.9
25.8 28.1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 60 61 to 70 71 and Above
Years
Age of Kentucky Farmers
Age (Yrs) Age (Yrs) (%)
25
32
39
19
40
32
11
3.8
16.9
8.4
17.5
13.8
0
10
20
30
40
50
0 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 or Above
Years
Total Years in Farming
In Farming (Yrs) In Farming (Yrs) (%)
31
34 33
30
39
17
13.7 14.8 14.5 13.2
16.8
7.6
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
0 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 60
Years
Decision Making (Years)
Decision Making (Yrs) Decision Making (Yrs) (%)
95
63
13 9 5 3
41.3
27.2
5.6 3.9 2 1.3
0
20
40
60
80
100
Below 10,000 10,000 to
49,999
50,000 to
99,999
100,000 to
249,999
250,000 to
499,999
More than
500,000
Kentucky Farmers' Annual income from Farming
Frequency Percentage
172
13 7 7 3
74.7
5.8 3.2 3 1.3
0
50
100
150
200
Sole
Proprietorship
Partnership Family Held
Corporation
Trust or Estate Others
Ty[pes of Ownership
Types of Ownership of Farms
Frequency Percentage
116
77
25
8 12
50.3
33.5
11
3.6 5.1
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
0 to 99 100 to 249 250 to 499 500 and Above 1000 or Above
Land Operated (Acres)
Total Land Operated (Acres)
Frequency Percentage
123
69
21
10
53.5
30.2
9.2 4.6
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
0 to 99 100 to 249 250 to 499 500 and Above
Land Owned (Acres)
Total Land Owned (Acres)
Frequency Percentage
32
14
7
4
14.1
6.2
3 1.7
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
0 to 99 100 to 249 250 to 499 500 and Above
Land Rented (Acres)
Land Rented (Acres)
Frequency Percentage
30
71
44
26
21
13
30.8
19.1
11.2
0.09
22
47
17
23
33
9.6
20.5
7.3
10
14.5
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Less than High School High School Some college College Degree Graduate Degree
Formal Education Level
Formal Education level of Farmer and Farmers' Spouse in Kentucky
Farmer Frequency Farmer Percent Farmers' Spouse Frequency Farmers' Spouse Percent
Figure (left): Ten most commonly
adopted sustainable agriculture
practices in Kentucky. Farmers are more
likely to use practices that are
inexpensive, requires less technical
knowledge and, also, are
environmentally friendly.
9.5
8.4
12.5
11.3
25.6
17.7
20.5
16.5
37.1
43.5
40.7
36.8
17.8
19.1
18.1
32.8
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Social Sustainability
Social Acceptability
Food System Sustainability
Local Ecosystem Sustainability
1
2
3
4
5
0
12 8 8 7 3
99
7
15.22
5.22 3.84 3.84 3.04 1.3
43.04
3.04
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Adoption Barriers of SAPs among Kentucky Farmers
Frequency Percent