Scores of newer sustainable agricultural practices are adoptable nationwide, but new observations on farmers across America are showing that old habits die hard. A new article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, co-authored by Dr. Kent Messer, DENIN Faculty Fellow and Professor of Applied Economics, makes it clear that one factor is holding back eco-conscious farming nationwide—persistence.
Persistence, the long-term adoption of a practice, is a variable in the success of climate-smart agriculture that has long evaded researchers. Data on the implementation of sustainable practices often only accounts for the period in which they are incentivized to farmers, typically through financial and technical assistance. The article focuses on two sets of data on the longevity of cover cropping, for which persistence is required to reap maximum benefits.
In Indiana, cover crop planting was subsidized from 2014-2024, but 30% of farmers ceased the practice after one year. After five years, that figure had nearly doubled. Self-reported figures nationwide mirrored this behavior. Conclusions from the few other research efforts on persistence vary heavily, making it unclear what factors are most influential on farmers’ decision to revert. The farmers’ level of aid, geographic region, convenience, economic wellbeing, and perceived environmental benefits may all play a part.
While current rates are lower than what conservation experts had optimistically predicted, the team behind the article sees potential for a new phase of green agriculture. With many options available to farmers, the focus may soon shift to fostering persistence. Future assistance may prioritize long-standing or prior adoption of sustainable practices, and large-scale assessments will help craft programs and policies that instill greener habits in farmers nationwide. Filling in this blind spot may get to the root of growers’ hesitance to adapt to a changing planet, maximizing the power that climate-smart ag programs possess.