Files
Abstract
The agricultural industry has garnered significant attention in recent years over concerns about the potential impacts of current production practices on the environment. While current discourse on the future of agriculture calls for sustainable intensification, measurable environmental improvements can be made through the adoption of best management practices. To better understand Georgia cotton and peanut farmers’ motivations and barriers to the adoption of best management practices, this research applies the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991) to examine which factors influence cotton and peanut producers’ adoption decisions regarding best management practices. This thesis uses a mixed methods approach of surveying and interviewing farmers to paint a full picture of the relevant decision-making factors for best management practice adoption. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for agricultural and conservation stakeholders to supplement BMP outreach and education efforts by targeting the specific needs, capacities, and preferences of farmers.