Cover crops are becoming more prevalent across the country for soil conservation and reducing runoff into waterways, among many other benefits. The adoption of cover crops has been historically low due to the use of industrialized agriculture methods. Furthermore, climatic changes are directly affecting farmers across the country. Increased flooding and storms are having a negative impact on crop yields and retaining healthy soil. South Carolina historically has had very poor soil due to a lack of soil management by original settlers. This makes the implementation of cover crops, no-till agriculture, and other best management practices even more important for maintaining and increasing crop yields and protecting the soil. The purpose of this study is to understand South Carolina farmers’ perceptions of the benefits and challenges of implementing cover crops. Additionally, the study examines the farmers’ willingness to accept (WTA) cost share payments through the Natural Resources Conservation Service to implement cover crops. The two cost share programs explored are the Conservation Stewardship Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program. By suggesting different payment amounts, we aim to determine if the current payments are effective at encouraging more farmers to adopt cover crops or if the funding needs to increase.
Results/Conclusions
The survey was sent to 3,000 farmers in South Carolina, and a second follow up survey mailed one month later. The response rate was near 15%. Questions focused on a variety of benefits and challenges for implementation, educational preferences, and willingness to accept. Utilizing the results from the willingness to accept questions, a parametric analysis through a logistic regression model was used to determine the factors affecting the likelihood of acceptance of funding, and the generated marginal effects estimate the mean willingness to accept value for different types of cover crops. While many people did accept the values given, the mean WTA value for each program was 0.2% greater than the suggested values, suggesting that increased funds may be required. Also, the implementation of cover crops in South Carolina is increasing but there are still barriers to implementation. The major barriers include time, funding, and labor required to plant these cover crops. Through educational programs and cost share options, farmers in South Carolina are becoming more aware of sustainable farming practices and the use of these practices to aid in the protection of topsoil, increased water quality and many other ecosystem co-benefits.