A Comparison of Awareness, Attitudes, and Usage of Water Quality Conservation Practices Between Amish and Non-Amish Farmers

• Published in: Society & natural resources 2017-12, Vol.30 (12), p.1476-1490
• Main Authors: Ulrich-Schad, Jessica D., Brock, Caroline, Prokopy, Linda S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adoption of innovations; Agricultural conservation; Agricultural practices; Agriculture; amish; Amish culture; Attitudes; Conservation; Conservation practices; Cover crops; Crops; Farmers; farming; Uptake; Water; Water conservation; Water quality
• ISSN: 0894-1920; 1521-0723
• DOI: 10.1080/08941920.2017.1364457

This study provides a unique examination of Amish farmers' awareness of water quality issues and their attitudes toward and use of agricultural conservation practices compared with small non-Amish farmers in Northeastern Indiana. There is minimal research about the conservation beliefs and behaviors of this growing and highly diverse ethnoreligious minority, who have faith-based technological restrictions and are often hesitant to work with community outsiders, especially the government. We find that, compared with non-Amish farmers, Amish farmers have limited awareness of the linkages between common agricultural practices and broader water quality problems and lower levels of adoption of conservation practices, with the exception of cover crops. This information is essential for conservation practitioners who need to work with a diverse range of agricultural producers to increase the uptake of conservation practices that address critical water quality concerns.