Absentee landowners and conservation programs: Mind the gap

In this research report, we examine determinants of absentee landowner participation in USDA set-aside and cost share programs. Previous research on these landowners suggests they have a high interest in conservation yet minimal involvement in government conservation programs on their land (e.g. Petrzelka et al., 2009 and Roggenbuck and Kushman, 1980). Our aim is to better understand this gap in hopes of attracting absentee landowners as participants to USDA conservation programs.

► We examine determinants of absentee landowner participation in USDA set-aside and cost share programs.
► We use survey data of absentee landowners of agricultural land in three Great Lakes Basin states.
► Study results suggest larger landowners and those with higher levels of education are more likely to participate in USDA conservation programs and that not having enough knowledge to make decisions regarding the land is a factor discouraging participation in USDA programs.