PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - R. Perry-Hill
AU  - L.S. Prokopy
TI  - Comparing different types of rural landowners: Implications for conservation practice adoption
AID  - 10.2489/jswc.69.3.266
DP  - 2014 May 01
TA  - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
PG  - 266--278
VI  - 69
IP  - 3
4099  - http://www.jswconline.org/content/69/3/266.short
4100  - http://www.jswconline.org/content/69/3/266.full
AB  - Although there is a substantial body of research on the factors affecting farmers' adoption of conservation practices, there is little existing research comparing different types of rural landowners and their land management decisions. This study examines the differences in awareness, attitudes, constraints, and behaviors of agricultural, small agricultural, and rural residential landowners. We conducted a mail survey of a stratified random sample of rural landowners owning two acres or more in the Little Calumet-Galien Watershed in northwestern Indiana. Generally, small agricultural and rural residential landowners have more positive attitudes, but are less familiar with water quality issues and conservation organizations. We found that being a small agricultural or rural residential landowner is associated with greater willingness to try conservation practices. For all landowners, perceived cost was the greatest barrier to conservation practice adoption. Based on these results, we suggest that to be successful, conservation programs targeted at small agricultural and rural residential landowners should address nonpoint source pollution and conservation practice awareness, as well as the cost of practice implementation. By using an evidence based approach to targeting outreach, conservation programs will become more efficient and effective.