Abstract
This study investigates organic pesticide adoption in residential lawn care management, incorporating determinants based on a synthesis of multiple literatures. A mail survey using the Dillman method was conducted in Missouri in 2014 with a random sample of 2000 single-family households (44.1% effective response rate). The data indicate an adoption rate of 17.7% for organic pesticides. This unique dataset also allows us to differentiate distinct non-adopters by familiarity with the practice as well as non-use of any pesticides. Multinomial logit regressions find environmental concerns, awareness of neighbor’s opinions, and gardening behaviors as significant determinants. The effects on relative probability of being an adopter are large: 18 times more likely for people with serious environmental concerns or 5 times more likely for those spending more than 15 hours per month on lawn care.
Highlights
Lawns and gardens are popular in the United States; they are a source of enjoyment, a hobby and a source of home value
This study investigates organic pesticide adoption in residential lawn care management, incorporating determinants based on a synthesis of multiple literatures
While there has been increasing interest in organic lawn management in the U.S, with widespread adoption of organic management practices in public spaces [4], the adoption rate of these practices for households is relatively low [7]. This leads to our research question: what factors prevent organic pesticide adoption and use in lawn care management regardless of the relative safety offered by these products? A fairly extensive literature examines adoption of best management practices (BMPs) by farmers
Summary
Lawns and gardens are popular in the United States; they are a source of enjoyment, a hobby and a source of home value. While there has been increasing interest in organic lawn management in the U.S, with widespread adoption of organic management practices in public spaces [4], the adoption rate of these practices for households is relatively low [7] This leads to our research question: what factors prevent organic pesticide adoption and use in lawn care management regardless of the relative safety offered by these products? Differences include the aesthetic value of a weed-free lawn to the homeowner and in the eyes of neighbors, the impact on the health of family members and pets, and the fact that gardening and lawn care are a hobby for some. This paper contributes to the literature on adoption of organic pesticide practices in lawn care management by synthesizing empirical studies on both organic consumption and organic farming/IPM in order to develop potential factors affecting adoption. Comparing and contrasting adopters and types of non-adopters for organic pesticide practices provides deeper insights about the characteristics of each group
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