Farmers who work solely on the farm or who receive most of their income from
agricultural sales are most likely to participate in agricultural nonpoint source
(NPS) pollution control projects.
Project participants are generally more aware of water pollution than farmers who
choose not to participate.
Producers who receive most of their water quality and conservation information
from government agencies and farm magazines are most likely to change
agricultural practices that affect water quality.
Incentives to Participation
Financial incentives may be the most important factor in achievement of
voluntary implementation of BMPs.
Financial incentives include cost-share funds, tax relief, payment transfers, and
government subsidies.
Economic Factors
The cost of BMP installation and maintenance serves as a disincentive to BMP
implementation.
The Importance of Information and Education Programs
Information and education programs increase producer participation in
agricultural NPS pollution control projects.
Information heightens farmers' awareness of water quality problems and
approaches to solving them.
Education aids farmers in selecting appropriate BMP systems.
I&E programs must begin prior to land-based project activities to facilitate
development of a sense of problem and project ownership on the part of the
potential participants.
One-to-one contact between producers and I&E specialists is the most effective
method to transfer information and increase participation.
New technologies can be effectively shared with producers through on-farm
demonstrations.
Technical assistance results in more effective BMP implementation and
maintenance and better participation in NPS pollution control projects.
Enviromental Concerns
Producers are most likely to participate in NPS pollution control efforts when they
understand that their agricultural practices affect the water quality of a valued
local water resource.
Environmental regulations, or the threat of regulation, can motivate participation
by producers in a NPS control project.
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