An Analysis of Factors Affecting Participation Behavior of Limited Resource Farmers in I E Agricultural Cost-Share Programs in Alabama

This study examines factors that affect the participation behavior of limited resource farmers in agricultural cost-share programs in Alabama. The data were generated from a survey administered to a sample of limited resource farm oper-ators. A binary logit model was employed to analyze the data. Results indicate that college education, age, gross sales, ratio of owned acres to total acres, and rented acres, as well as membership in a comavation association, had significant influence on cost-share program participation. Key Words: binary logit, cost-share program, li'mited resource fmers, participation behavior Current evidence indicates a low participation in government conservation and forest management practices among farmers in general and limited resource or small farmers in particular. Bell et al. (1 994) observed a chronically low participation in incentive-based forestry programs and the Conservation Reserve Program (CW) in Tennessee. A number of other studies (McLean-Meyinsse, Hui, and Joseph, 1994; Dismukes, Harwood, and Bentley, 1997; and Molnar et al., 2000) have all note