69th SWCS International Annual Conference July 27-30, 2014 Lombard, IL

1. Dr. Linda Stalker Prokopy and Jessica Ulrich‐Schad
Purdue University
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Natural Resources Social Science Lab
Understanding Nutrient Management Decisions: An
Examination of the Agricultural Community in Indiana

2. • Statewide mail survey
• Purpose: baseline data
• Winter 2014
▫ Sample: Farm Service Agency (FSA) list
▫ N=1,320 (51.8% response rate)
▫ Questions included:
 Basic demographic/background information
 Overall water quality attitudes
 Awareness and use of nutrient BMPs
 Awareness of different pollutants
 Use of and trust in information sources
Nutrient Management Survey

3. Characteristics of Survey Respondents

4. Characteristics of Survey Respondents

5. Awareness of Pollutants

6. • Basic questions asked about several BMPs (awareness  behavior)
• Detailed questions about four of special interest:
▫ Conducting soil tests
▫ Variable rate application
▫ Application timing
▫ Nutrient management plan
Adoption of BMPs

8. Adoption of BMPs

9. Adoption of BMPs by Farm Size

10. Adoption of BMPs by Type of Farm

11. Adoption of BMPs

12. NRCS
Use of Soil Tests

13. Adoption of BMPs

14. Respondents’ Decision Making

15. Respondents’ Decision Making

16. Respondents’ Decision Making

17. Respondents’ Information Sources

18. • Dr. Linda Stalker Prokopy
▫ Purdue University
▫ Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
▫ Natural Resources Social Science Lab
▫ Email: lprokopy@purdue.edu
This project was funded by Indiana corn and soybean farmer checkoff funds.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?