Determinants affecting farmers' willingness to cooperate to control pests

Natural pest control is an important ecosystem service that is rapidly declining in the United States. Farmers may be able to increase the provision of natural pest control by working together. However, little is known about US farmers' willingness to cooperate to control pests. In this study, we survey 229 Missouri crop farmers to explore farmers' willingness to cooperate. We find that 91% say they are willing to cooperate to control pests, and that simple, local cooperative efforts may be more popular than formal, county-wide efforts. In addition, the determinants that affect willingness to cooperate follow those predicted by the collective action, agricultural adoption, and ecosystem management literatures. Specifically, farmers who believe that they will receive a net benefit, have farms similar to their neighbors', are active members of a community organization, have positive contact with agricultural extension agents, and are concerned about the effect that pesticides may have on the environment are more willing to cooperate than farmers who do not share these characteristics. This study provides valuable insights into the conditions that may foster cooperation between farmers in the provision of an ecosystem service. Plus, it may help facilitate the formation of pest control cooperatives in the United States.