Abstract
Globally, there is increased awareness of the environmental consequences of conventional agriculture and the need for viable economic and environmental options for farmers. In response to these problems, there has been increased funding and promotion at the national and regional level for conservation practices like cover crops and conservation tillage. Cover crops and conservation tillage can reduce erosion, improve soil and water quality, increase water holding capacity, and improve farming efficiency and productivity. Adoption of such practices varies widely across the nation; thus, research calls for a better understanding of how to support and sustain farmers’ adoption of these practices. The two chapters of this thesis draw semi-structured interviews (n=28) and focus groups (n=61) with crop and livestock farmers across the dryland, wheat-growing region of the inland Pacific Northwest (PNW). For chapter 1, we draw from the diffusion of innovations theory to better understand farmers’ perspectives on the perceived relative advantage (the degree to which an innovation is compatible with the current system) and trialability (how easily potential adopters can try an innovation) of cover crops. For chapter 2, we draw from the ‘good farmer’ literature, grounded in Bourdieu’s theory on field, habitus, and capital to understand the extent to which engagement with conservation tillage (CT) systems reinforce symbols of good farming and bolsters farmers’ engagement to stewardship behavior. We find that cover crops are associated with perceptions of low relative advantage and low trialability. However, results from chapter two suggest that engagement with CT systems allows farmers to demonstrate productivisit symbols of good farming, while bolstering their engagement with stewardship behavior. Implications from this thesis can better inform regional conservation strategies that improve agronomic and economic outcomes for farmers across the PNW.