Location: Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center
Title: Perspectives of agroforestry practitioners on agroforestry adoptionAuthor
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ROMANOVA, OLGA - University Of Missouri |
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GOLD, MICHAEL - University Of Missouri |
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HALL, DAMON - University Of Missouri |
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HENDRICKSON, MARY - University Of Missouri |
Submitted to: Rural Sociology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 8/22/2022 Publication Date: 9/20/2022 Citation: Romanova, O., Gold, M.A., Hall, D.M., Hendrickson, M.K. 2022. Perspectives of agroforestry practitioners on agroforestry adoption. Rural Sociology. 87(4):1401-1431. https://doi.org/10.1111/ruso.12463. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ruso.12463 Interpretive Summary: Despite its recognized potential, broad on-the-ground adoption of U.S. agroforestry remains limited and factors influencing agroforestry adoption and dissemination bottlenecks by actual practitioners are underexplored. This research details the perspective of those who have actively implemented some agroforestry practices. Early adopters of agroforestry represent an essential catalyst for future agroforestry diffusion. This research study documents the what and why questions of early-stage agroforestry adoption and the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence both adoption and discontinuation decisions. Recommendations are offered to target and attract more agroforestry practitioners. Technical Abstract: Agroforestry practices offer a compelling addition to conven-tional agriculture as they provide a broad range of economic, ecological, and social benefits. Despite its recognized potential, broad on- the- ground adop-tion of U.S. agroforestry remains limited. Factors influencing agroforestry adoption and dissemination bottlenecks by actual practitioners are underex-plored. While previous studies have focused mostly on landowner and farmer interests in agroforestry, without them necessarily being practitioners, this research details the perspective of those who have actively implemented some agroforestry practices. Early adopters of agroforestry represent an essential catalyst for future agroforestry diffusion. Better understanding of the factors influencing their decisions and reasons behind agroforestry practice adop-tion will help to support and promote wider adoption. This research study documents the what and why questions of early- stage agroforestry adoption and the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence both adoption and dis-continuation decisions. Recommendations are offered to target and attract more agroforestry practitioners. |