%0 Journal Article %A William M. Park %A Steven E. Monteith %T Cost-effectiveness of the variable cost-share option in the Agricultural Conservation Program %D 1989 %J Journal of Soil and Water Conservation %P 173-176 %V 44 %N 2 %X Counties employing the variable cost-share option within the Agricultural Conservation Program were compared with those employing uniform-rate cost-sharing in West Tennessee for fiscal years 1985 and 1986. Public cost per ton of erosion reduction was higher in counties employing the variable cost-share option wen though the average preparative erosion rate and average erosion reduction per acre treated were greater. The reason was that the total cost and the average cost-sharing rate per acre treated were much higher in counties employing the variable cost-share option. Recommendations for adjustments in the formula for computing variable cost-sharing rates are provided. %U https://www.jswconline.org/content/jswc/44/2/173.full.pdf