Adoption Of Sustainable Farming Practices Research Articles

Adoption of Sustainable Farming Practices in the United States: A Study on Farmer Behavior

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the adoption of sustainable farming practices in the United States: a study on farmer behavior. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study on the adoption of sustainable farming practices in the United States revealed that a significant number of farmers are increasingly adopting methods such as crop rotation, organic farming, and reduced use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, motivated by environmental concerns and economic incentives. However, barriers to adoption include the high initial costs and perceived risk of lower yields, which deter some farmers from fully committing to sustainable practices. Despite these challenges, there is a growing trend towards sustainability, supported by governmental incentives and an increasing market demand for organically produced goods. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Diffusion of innovations theory, theory of planned behavior (TPB) & social cognitive theory (SCT) may be used to anchor future studies on analyze adoption of sustainable farming practices in the United States: a study on farmer behavior. Agricultural extension services should develop specialized programs that focus on the practical benefits of sustainable practices, tailored to specific farming contexts and crops. Governments should consider offering financial incentives, such as subsidies or tax breaks, for farmers who adopt and maintain sustainable practices.

Sustainability assessment of the agriculture sector using best worst method: Case study of Baltic states

AbstractSustainable agriculture development holds significant global and regional importance, particularly within the Baltic countries. On a global scale, it is a critical strategy for meeting the escalating demand for food while simultaneously mitigating the adverse environmental and social consequences associated with agricultural practices. In the context of the Baltic nations, where agriculture constitutes a substantial portion of the economy, the adoption of sustainable farming practices is imperative for ensuring the sector's long‐term viability, safeguarding the integrity of the region's distinct ecosystems, and guaranteeing food security for their populations. A comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing Baltic agriculture is impeded by a notable research deficiency concerning the intricate and distinct problems facing these nations. The use of indicators to assess economic sustainable agriculture indicators plays a pivotal role in guiding agricultural practices. By taking social and environmental variables into account, these metrics quantify the economic viability of farming. Consequently, these indicators empower policymakers and farmers alike to make well‐informed decisions, striking a balance between profitability and resource conservation, thereby contributing to the enduring sustainability of agriculture in the Baltic countries and beyond. Notably, a comprehensive assessment of economic sustainability in agriculture identified 31 indicators, which were refined to 9 through expert consensus using the Delphi method. Subsequently, the best worst method was applied to rank these indicators. The results indicate that investment intensity, diversification of income, agricultural labor productivity, and market access emerge as the most crucial indicators for ensuring economic sustainability in agriculture.

A review of the influence of heat drying, alkaline treatment, and composting on biosolids characteristics and their impacts on nitrogen dynamics in biosolids-amended soils

Application of biosolids to agricultural land has gained increasing attention due to their rich nutrient content. There are a variety of treatment processes for converting sewage sludge to biosolids. Different treatment processes can change the physicochemical properties of the raw sewage sludge and affect the dynamics of nutrient release in biosolids-amended soils. This paper reviews heat drying, alkaline treatment, and composting as biosolids treatment processes and discusses the effects of these treatments on biosolid nitrogen (N) content and availability. Most N in the biosolids remain in organic forms, regardless of biosolids treatment type but considerable variation exists in the mean values of total N and mineralizable N across different types of biosolids. The highest mean total N content was recorded in heat-dried biosolids (HDB) (4.92%), followed by composted biosolids (CB) (2.25%) and alkaline-treated biosolids (ATB) (2.14%). The mean mineralizable N value was similar between HDB and ATB, with a broader range of mineralizable N in ATB. The lowest N availability was observed in CB. Although many models have been extensively studied for predicting potential N mineralization in soils amended with organic amendments, limited research has attempted to model soil N mineralization following biosolids application. With biosolids being a popular, economical, and eco-friendly alternative to chemical N-fertilizers, understanding biosolids treatment effects on biosolids properties is important for developing a sound biosolids management system. Moreover, modeling N mineralization in biosolids-amended soils is essential for the adoption of sustainable farming practices that maximize the agronomic value of all types of biosolids.

Millets and their Nutritional Value: A Review

This comprehensive review paper delves into the nutritional value of millets and their multifaceted role in global nutrition and sustainability. Millets, a group of small-seeded grains, have garnered increasing attention due to their exceptional nutritional composition and potential to address contemporary challenges related to food security, health, and sustainable agriculture. Our exploration begins with an introduction to the various types of millets and their significance in global nutrition. We dissect the macronutrient and micronutrient profiles of millets, highlighting their rich content of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. Through an extensive analysis, we uncover the health benefits of millets, demonstrating their potential in managing chronic diseases, promoting gastrointestinal health, and aiding in weight management.  In the culinary realm, we showcase the versatility of millets, both in traditional and modern recipes, transcending cultural boundaries and dietary preferences. We emphasize the nutritional advantages of millet-based dishes and their incorporation into diverse cuisines worldwide. Furthermore, we explore the burgeoning market of millet-based food products, reflecting consumer demand for healthier alternatives. Our investigation extends to the pivotal role of millets in food security and sustainability. We highlight their resilience as a climate-resilient crop, their importance in ensuring food security for marginalized communities, and the adoption of sustainable farming practices. Millets emerge as a promising solution for reducing the environmental impact of agriculture. These above points explain with each point different research or review paper used to write with citation include in paragraph text from references 2016- 2022 with the title "A Review on Edible Mushrooms and Their Cancer Cure Properties" references write in APA style

Farmers’ intention towards intercropping adoption: the role of socioeconomic and behavioural drivers

ABSTRACTThe adoption of intercropping, a sustainable agricultural technology, is limited in Europe. This paper investigates factors driving the intention to intercrop in Sweden. Factors included in the analysis are participation in private certification schemes, interactions with peers and agricultural advisors, attitude, knowledge, innovativeness, perceived intercropping attributes and perceived behavioural control. The first two reflect potential socioeconomic determinants and the last four are possible behavioural drivers. For the first time, the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and diffusion of innovation theory were integrated to understand farmers’ adoption of sustainable farming practices like intercropping . Structural equation modelling was applied to understand the behavioural drivers, whereas logit regression was employed to identify the socioeconomic determinant of adoption intention. The paper highlights the important role of knowledge in fostering intercropping adoption. Knowledge was associated with innovativeness (B = 0.18, p < 0.001) and influenced perceived attribute (B = 0.395, p < 0.001) and attitude (B = 0.268, p < 0.001) towards intercropping. Sufficient knowledge strengthens farmers’ confidence in implementing intercropping and subsequently facilitates adoption intention (B = 0.287, p < 0.05). Participation in private certification schemes and interactions with peers, a bonding social capital, also stimulates adoption intention (β = 0.91 and β = 0.70, p < 0.05). Policy implications to support intercropping were discussed.

Eliciting farmers’ preferences towards agriculture education in Northern Ireland

ABSTRACT Purpose Agriculture education promotes farmers and societal welfare through a more efficient use of resources and the adoption of sustainable farming practices. Nevertheless, farmers’ educational attainment is limited across countries. This study explores farmers’ intention to participate in formal agriculture education. Design/methodology/approach A discrete choice experiment survey with 363 farmers exploring their preferences for different specifications within a diploma in agriculture was employed. We focus on Northern Ireland, a country with a relatively large agricultural sector and were farmers have a low level of formal education. Findings Our results show that farmers exhibited a preference for short courses delivered in the evenings, with 75% of the teaching time delivered online, favouring educational topics linked to farm performance against those related to socio-environmental outcomes. Part-time younger farmers, operating in small farms located in less favoured areas, reported the highest willingness to pay for the course. However, farmers that had previously participated in a Young Farmer Payment Scheme reported the lowest interest in undertaking the course. Practical implications The study provides useful information to education providers in relation to the design of agriculture courses to better meet farmers’ preferences and therefore encourage levels of uptake. Secondly, the study can help policymakers to make informed decisions about policy instruments incentivising farmers to engage in education. Theoretical implications By drawing from random parameter choice models, the study highlights that the heterogeneity of farmers’ preferences should be considered when modelling their decision to engage in agriculture education. Originality/value This is the first study that elicits farmers’ preferences towards agriculture education via a discrete choice experiment. Secondly, the study explores preference heterogeneity based on farmers and farms’ characteristics.

Implementation of sustainable farming practices by cocoa farmers in Ecuador and Uganda: the influence of value chain factors

A key strategy of chocolate manufacturers is the promotion of sustainable farming practices amongst their supplying cocoa producers. A growing body of micro-economic literature has analysed factors influencing the adoption of such practices, yet broadly disregarded value chain factors. Information on how factors within single value chains increase the adoption of sustainable farming practices can help direct chocolate companies’ investments and increase return of investments in sustainability. The objective of this study was to understand: (a) how important value chain factors are, relative to farmer and farm factors, for cocoa farmers’ implementation of sustainable farming practices and (b) through which mechanisms value chain factors influence sustainable farming practices implementation. By integrating the practice adoption with sustainable supply chain management literature, we contribute to closing an important research gap. We collected data from 394 cocoa farmers in Ecuador and Uganda and analysed the determinants of implementation sustainable farming practices, testing quantitatively whether value chain factors with variation within single value chains are significantly associated with practice implementation. These factors included information factors (farmers’ access to training; advisory service through the value chain) and structural factors (value chain organisation and persistence; farmers’ dependency on this value chain). We selected 11 sustainable farming practices or indicators across three sustainability dimensions, i.e., environmental, social, and economic. We found that value chain factors are comparable to farmer and farm factors in explaining the implementation of sustainable farming practices across dimensions. Both capacity building and stable relationships were significantly related with the implementation of certain sustainable farming practices. Yet these results were weaker than expected, indicating that their potential was not fully exploited within our case study value chains. Through their value chain sustainability initiatives, chocolate companies should disseminate knowledge, address inhibitors to sustainable farming practices implementation beyond knowledge, and align sustainability goals with all value chain actors.

Evaluation of Perceived Effect of Covid-19 Shock on Cassava Output in Enugu State.

The study ‘Evaluation Effect of the perceived effect of Covid-19 Shock on Cassava output Enugu State, Nigeria’ investigates the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures on cassava production in Enugu State, Nigeria. It offers a comprehensive analysis that encompasses the socioeconomic profiles of cassava farmers and processors, the assessment of determinants influencing cassava output and the effect of the COVID on the output of the staple crop. Enugu State, strategically located in southeastern Nigeria, was deliberately selected for this study due to its substantial contribution to cassava production and its perceived susceptibility to the disruptive effects of COVID-19 and lockdown measures. To gather empirical data, a multi-stage random sampling technique was meticulously employed. Initially, three agricultural zones were purposively chosen to ensure equitable representation of the state's senatorial zones. Subsequently, six local government areas were randomly selected from these zones, and the sample size (n = 312) was determined proportionately. The study employed descriptive statistics, including mean values and percentages, to characterize respondents and evaluate the extent of the shocks' impact on Cassava output. The study highlights significant gender disparity, with 59.30% of respondents being female. Additionally, the majority (39.10%) fall within the middle-aged category, indicating experienced engagement in cassava production. Income distribution reveals disparities, as 50.00% of respondents earn between 101,000-200,000 Naira monthly, impacting the sector's economic sustainability. Moreover, land ownership predominantly falls within the 0.1-1hectare range (67.30%), underscoring its pivotal role in cassava production capacity. Evaluated on a 5-point Likert scale, critical aspects such as input material availability, pest control, post-harvest handling, and market access amidst the pandemic was carried out. Higher mean scores (3.44 for input materials) indicated significant disruptions, leading to an acceptance decision rule. Based on these findings, recommendations are made for cassava farmers to diversify their markets by exploring new products, thereby reducing over-dependence on specific markets and enhancing resilience against future market disruptions. Furthermore, the adoption of sustainable farming practices, such as organic farming, is encouraged among cassava producers

Energy analysis in Water-Energy-Food-Carbon Nexus

This study evaluated the comprehensive Water-Energy-Food-Carbon Nexus (WEFC) by focusing on energy assessment in northwest Iran. The energy evaluation indices for different products were calculated by estimating the total input and output energies. Multi-objective optimization based on five individual objectives and WEFC Nexus policies was used to identify the optimal land-use allocation of wheat, barley, rapeseed, and sugar beet, silage corn, and potato while minimizing water and energy consumption and CO2 emissions, and maximizing food production and profit. The results indicate that the suggested framework provides a practical methodology for determining the optimal land-use allocation considering quantitative WEFC Nexus. To increase economic efficiency and reduce energy consumption, agricultural practices and policy recommendations should be adopted, including promoting renewable energy sources, implementing energy-saving technologies, improving fertilizer management, improving crop rotation practices, conservation tillage, and improving water management and adoption of sustainable farming practices. The results allow policymakers to optimize multiple resources and recommend the best resource allocation under recommendation policy, technology, and constraints to achieve sustainable development in agriculture.

Actions speak louder than words: Adoption of sustainable farming practices based on an integrated model

Despite the ample efforts to address the attitude-behavior gap in individual pro-environmental actions, none of the previous research focused on the inconsistency between farmers' attitudes toward organic farming and their decisions to go green. Based on an integrated behavioral model of the TPB (theory of planned behavior) and ABC (attitude-behavior-context) theory, this study provides the first empirical evidence that uncovers the contextual and/or psychological factors driving farmers' attitude-behavior incongruity. The observed attitude-behavior relation indicates that there is a much higher share of conventional farmers exhibit attitude-behavior incongruity compared to their organic counterparts. As predicted by the TPB-ABC model, farmers' tendency to exhibit inconsistency between attitude and behavior is found to increase with their perception of policy support. The working hypothesis that drivers of the discrepancy between farmers' positive attitude and actual adoption behavior are different for the two groups of farmers is also confirmed in this study. Specifically, in addition to the contextual factors, personal capabilities play a role in driving conventional farmers' sustaining use of synthetic inputs and lock-in to unsustainable farming practices. Further analyses of the influence of holding a positive attitude on conventional farmers’ economic performance suggest the presence of economic benefits associated with holding a favorable attitude toward organic farming.

Environmental Sustainability and Food Security of Traditional Agricultural Practices in India: A Review

This synthesis consolidates current research on sustainable agriculture and its pivotal role in enhancing food security, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. Sourced from a wide array of references, it accentuates exercises such as organic farming, agroforestry, and diversified farming systems as cornerstone approaches, sustainable agriculture. The potential of these practices is also explored, highlighting the carbon sequestration capacity of agroforestry systems, the environmental advantages of organic farming over conventional methods, and the implications of diversified farming systems on food security. However, sustainable agriculture still confronts numerous challenges, especially regarding the environmental repercussions of pesticide use and the barriers hindering the adoption of sustainable farming practices. The substantial role of traditional agricultural practices, which often reflect fundamentals of sustainability and resource preservation, is also underscored. The transformative impact of integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems on small-scale farms in Southern and Southeastern Asia is with Farmer Field School experiences worldwide. Critically, the synthesis acknowledges the daunting task of feeding a burgeoning global population and the environmental ramifications of land utilization. Synthesis concludes by asserting that future research and policy must perpetually focus on these issues, aiming to generate innovative strategies for sustainable agriculture and to bolster the resilience of farming systems in the face of climate change.

Designing an expert-led Bayesian network to understand interactions between policy instruments for adoption of eco-friendly farming practices

Governments employ a range of policy instruments to encourage landholders to adopt land management practices that reduce the environmental impacts of agriculture. While the impact of policy instruments may be well-theorised, their implementation in diverse contexts and landholders’ complex behavioural responses, makes measurement and prediction of the resulting adoption rates difficult. This constrains the ability of governments to select the optimal combination of policy instruments. We used a participatory modelling approach to incorporate expert knowledge into a Bayesian network model exploring the effect of different policy combinations on the adoption of sustainable farming practices in the Great Barrier Reef catchment, Australia. The model integrates policy instruments including regulating farming practices, offering financial incentives, and facilitating extension programs to educate and assist farmers. Results showed that the effectiveness of a policy instrument on practice adoption was expected to vary depending on which other instruments are implemented, the characteristics of the land managers, the surrounding social context, and the practice itself. This approach demonstrates the utility of Bayesian networks in integrating high-level multi-disciplinary knowledge to address complex environmental policy decisions such as water quality management in the Great Barrier Reef.

Impact of farmer group participation on the adoption of sustainable farming practices—spatial analysis of New Zealand dairy farmers

AbstractThis paper analyzes the impact of participation in farmer groups on dairy farmers’ adoption of sustainable farming practices in New Zealand. A spatial propensity score matching method is used to consider the spatial dependence and social connections between farmers in the decision‐making of farmer group participation and adoption of sustainable farming practices. The results show that farmers’ decisions of farmer group participation are affected by their neighbors’ choices, and participation in farmer groups has a positive effect on farmers’ adoption of sustainable farming practices. The findings indicate the important role of social interactions in farmers’ voluntary uptake of sustainable agricultural practices. Overall, the positive effect of farmer group participation on the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices highlights learning and knowledge spillover among farmers, which emerges as important to the formulation of sustainable farming policy.

Performance of organic farming in developing countries: a case of organic tomato value chain in Lebanon

The future of food value chains has increasingly been reliant on the wider adoption of sustainable farming practices that include organic agriculture. Organic farming in developed countries is standardized and occupies a niche in agro-food systems. However, such a standard model, when transferred to developing countries, faces difficulty in implementation. This study aims to investigate the factors affecting the expansion of organic agriculture in Lebanon, a Middle Eastern context, and analyzes the economic performance of organic tomato among smallholder farmers. Accordingly, the study was able to determine the production costs, map the organic value chain and assess the profitability of organic tomato by comparing it with the conventional tomato in the same value chain. The study finds organic farming being increasingly expensive primarily due to the inherently high cost of production in Lebanon and the inefficient organization of the organic value chain. As a result, we suggest a blended approach of organic farming with other models, in particular agro-tourism, as a local solution to the sustainability of organic farming in developing countries with limited resources (land and labor) and characterized by long marketing channels. In countries such as Lebanon, a country endowed with rich cultural heritage and natural and beautiful landscapes, the agro-tourism model can harness organic farming and tourism activities. We also propose the adoption of local collective guarantee systems for organic production as a way to alleviate the costs of third-party auditing in Lebanon.

Sustainable Farming Practices, Awareness and Behavior in Small Farms in Brazil

This paper investigates the relationship between the use of digital and non-digital sources of information on sustainable farming practices, institutional pressure and adoption of such practices by farmers in Brazilian semi-arid lands. The research uses a model based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the institutional theory. Our results for a sample of 100 Brazilian farmers show that non-digital sources of information and ‘Coercive’ and ‘Normative’ pressures have a positive impact on farmers’ attitude towards and actual adoption of sustainable farming practices. However, digital sources of information such as TV and Radio do not play a significant role. In addition, pro-environmental attitude drives sustainable behaviour through the adoption of three out of the five sustainable farming practices investigated. Research and policy implications are also discussed.

Sustainable Farming Practices, Awareness, and Behavior in Small Farms in Brazil

This paper investigates the relationship between the use of digital and non-digital sources of information on sustainable farming practices, institutional pressure and adoption of such practices by farmers in Brazilian semi-arid lands. The research uses a model based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the institutional theory. Our results for a sample of 100 Brazilian farmers show that non-digital sources of information and ‘Coercive’ and ‘Normative’ pressures have a positive impact on farmers’ attitude towards and actual adoption of sustainable farming practices. However, digital sources of information such as TV and Radio do not play a significant role. In addition, pro-environmental attitude drives sustainable behaviour through the adoption of three out of the five sustainable farming practices investigated. Research and policy implications are also discussed.

AVALIAÇÃO DE UM SISTEMA AGROALIMENTAR NO SEMIÁRIDO BRASILEIRO: UM OLHAR ECONÔMICO-ECOLÓGICO

A implantação de um assentamento rural pelo Instituto Nacional de Colonização e Reforma Agrária – INCRA representa a construção de um novo território para o agricultor e sua família, onde é possível implantar práticas sustentáveis de agricultura. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida para avaliar um agroecossistema composto por quatro assentados de um mesmo núcleo familiar, sendo que dois praticam agricultura e pecuária conforme a tradição da região, enquanto os outros dois seguem os conceitos agroecológicos da permacultura. Para avaliar o agroecossistema foi escolhido o método de Análise Econômico-Ecológica de Agroecossistemas desenvolvido pelas Articulação Nacional de Agroecologia e AS-PTA – Agricultura Familiar e Agroecologia. A criação de uma rede de suporte que levou a uma série de cursos e benefícios como projetos de plantio de frutíferas e capineira, alavancaram a produção do núcleo familiar do agroecossistema e proporcionaram maior autonomia às mulheres do assentamento. A entrada da linha de crédito Fomento Mulher através do INCRA foi uma das causas apontadas para essa mudança. Investimentos na irrigação da horta e na capineira através de empréstimos do AgroAmigo e do CrediAmigo foram decisivos para garantir a soberania alimentar do Núcleo de Gestão Social do Agroecossistema – NSGA. A implantação da mandala proporcionou o plantio de novas culturas de frutas, legumes e verduras, além da piscicultura. A diversificação de produtos trouxe um incremento na qualidade e segurança da alimentação do NSGA, abriu um leque maior de produtos comercializáveis, onde  se destacam como fonte de renda cada vez mais crescente a venda de Tilápia e das hortaliças.

Factors Influencing Adoption of Sustainable Farming Practices in Europe: A Systemic Review of Empirical Literature

Modern practices of industrial farming, such as mineral fertilization, caused a widespread degradation of agricultural land and water bodies in Europe. Different farm management strategies exist to reduce the impact of mineral fertilization while preserving soil productivity. The aim of this paper is to provide a thorough systemic review of contemporary literature exploring factors and conditions affecting EU farmers’ adoption of sustainable farming practices. The specific focus is on widely adopted and empirically explored measures, such as organic farming, manure treatment technologies and manure fertilization, as well as soil and water conservation methods. In total, 23 peer-reviewed studies were extracted by means of Google Scholar covering the time period between 2003 and 2019. The main findings show that farmers’ environmental and economic attitudes in addition to their sources of information have a strong effect on the adoption of organic farming, although there is a lack of evidence of their impact on adopting manure treatment and conservation measures. Similarly, farmers’ age and education are found to systemically influence organic farming adoption, but not adoption of other reviewed technologies. While other factors, such as farm physical characteristics or technological attributes, may be important determinants of adoption, it is hard to recognize definite patterns of their impact across technologies given a shortage of empirical evidence. More research utilizing standardized surveys and methods of analysis is needed to formulate qualified guidelines and recommendations for policymakers.

Methodological Reflections on Monitoring Interactive Knowledge Creation during Farming Demonstrations by Means of Surveys and Observations

During farming demonstrations, peer-to-peer learning is known to be more effective than technology transfer when encouraging farmers to consider adopting more sustainable farming practices. Interactive knowledge creation has the potential to create a stimulating peer-learning environment focusing on the use of hands-on activities, knowledge scaffolding, discussions and negotiation. This study investigated how insight can be gained about the interactive knowledge creation that occurs during farming demonstrations by monitoring and evaluating a diverse sample of farming demonstrations in Belgium, Spain and Denmark via surveys and observations originally designed for the AgriDemo-F2F project. The study found that the selected monitoring tools provided insight about how participants experienced specific interactive knowledge creation. However, several stumbling blocks were also identified in using the proposed tools to monitor these learning processes, including the monitoring of abstract concepts and the reluctance among farmers to respond to self-administered open-ended survey questions. Based on these learning points, several proposals were made to improve the monitoring process of interactive knowledge creation. This study confirms that the improved understanding of learning practices and their impact on actual change presents a challenge, but it is essential if the adoption of sustainable farming practices is to be increased.

Does rural landowner identity shape the adoption of sustainable farming practices?

ABSTRACT The increasing proportion of rural landowners who do not identify as farmers has meaningful consequences for efforts to influence the adoption of sustainable farming practices. This article aims to contribute to the knowledge base for those responding to that challenge. A survey of 2000 rural landowners in south eastern (SE) Australia employed a 12-item collective occupational identity construct to explore the extent farmer occupational identity explained variance in landowner implementation of three recommended sustainable farming practices. Practices included the planting of perennial pasture and lucerne, testing soils for nutrient status, and the application of lime to address soil acidity. Logistic regression indicated farmer occupational identity enhanced the explanatory power of models exploring implementation of those practices. Four distinct rural landowner cohorts were identified based on farmer identity: full-time, part-time, hobby and non-farmers. Part-time and full-time farmers are similar in that they are focused on farming as a business. By comparison, hobby and non-farmers give a higher priority to biodiversity and amenity values associated with their properties. The classification and knowledge of the attributes of each cohort can be used to support more effective engagement with the increasingly diverse population of rural landholders in many of the regions in SE Australia.