Literature Review Summary of the Influences to Soil Health Practice Adoption Behavior in the Midwest

Abstract

Increasing voluntary adoption of conservation practices by producers is key to reducing agricultural pollution in Minnesota’s waterways. In order to do this, we must understand producer adoption behavior including the drivers of and barriers to adoption. A literature review was conducted that was exclusive to studies in the Midwest, published since 2000, and focused on soil health practices of interest including cover crops, conservation tillage, perennials, and livestock integration. The major factors that influence producer behavior related to adoption were grouped into 5 main categories: farm characteristics, personal characteristics, perceived practice characteristics, social factors, and structural factors.