Water quality, cost-sharing, and technical assistance: Perceptions of Maryland farmers

Erik Lichtenberg; Billy V. Lessley

ABSTRACT:

Data from a recent survey of Maryland fanners was used to study farmers' perceptions of three topics relating to the use of soil and nutrient runoff control in agriculture: the extent of water quality problems, the usefulness of cost-sharing, and the perceived value of different sources of information on soil and water conservation. The evidence indicates that, while farmers recognized the existence of water quality problems, they tended to believe those problems occur away from their farm or local area. Cost-sharing appeared to have influenced a limited number of farmers to plan increased runoff control efforts. Outreach efforts by public agencies may need improvement.

Footnotes

Erik Lichtenberg is an assistant professor and Billy V. Lessley is a professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maryland, College Park, 20742. This research was supported by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station Competitive Grants Program. The authors thank Ivar E. Strand, Jr. and Rhona M. Lantin for their assistance. Scientific Article No. A-6256, contribution no. 8425 of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station.
Copyright 1992 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society

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