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The Motivation for Organic Grain Farming in the United States: Profits, Lifestyle, or the Environment?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2015

Hikaru Hanawa Peterson ,
Andrew Barkley ,
Adriana Chacón-Cascante  and
Terry L. Kastens
Hikaru Hanawa Peterson
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Andrew Barkley
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Adriana Chacón-Cascante
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS Adriana Chacón-Cascante is currently an agricultural economics specialist at the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) in Cartago, Costa Rica
Terry L. Kastens
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
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Abstract

The objective of this research is to identify and quantify the motivations for organic grain farming in the United States. Survey data of US organic grain producers were used in regression models to find the statistical determinants of three motivations for organic grain production, including profit maximization, environmental stewardship, and an organic lifestyle. Results provide evidence that many organic grain producers had more than a single motivation and that younger farmers are more likely to be motivated by environmental and lifestyle goals than older farmers. Organic grain producers exhibited a diversity of motivations, including profit and stewardship.

Keywords

bootstrappinglogistic regressionorganic farmingprofit maximizationenvironmental stewardshipQ01Q12Q15
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 44 , Issue 2 , May 2012 , pp. 137 - 155
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2012

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