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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Booneville, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #399953
Research Project: Sustainable Small Farm and Organic Grass and Forage Production Systems for Livestock and Agroforestry

Location: Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center

Title: Perspectives of agroforestry practitioners on agroforestry adoption

Author
item ROMANOVA, OLGA - University Of Missouri
item GOLD, MICHAEL - University Of Missouri
item HALL, DAMON - University Of Missouri
item 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.