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Evaluating the Relationship between Fruit and Vegetable Growers Use of Plastic Biodegradable Mulches, and Environmental Stewardship and Labor Savings: The Case of Tennessee Fruit and Vegetable Farmers

Author

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  • Margarita Velandia

    (Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, University of Tennessee, 2621 Morgan cir. Morgan Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

  • Roderick Rejesus

    (Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, North Carolina State University, 2801 Founders Drive, Nelson Hall 4340, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA)

  • Christopher Clark

    (Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, University of Tennessee, 2621 Morgan cir. Morgan Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

  • Karen L. DeLong

    (Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, University of Tennessee, 2621 Morgan cir. Morgan Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

  • Annette Wszelaki

    (Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2505 EJ Chapman dr., 112 Plant Biotech Building, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

  • Susan Schexnayder

    (Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, 2431 Joe Johnson Dr., 274 Ellington Plant Sciences Building, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

  • Kimberly Jensen

    (Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, University of Tennessee, 2621 Morgan cir. Morgan Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

Abstract

The substitution of polyethylene (PE) mulch for plastic biodegradable mulches (BDMs) in fruit and vegetable production has the potential to reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with PE mulch use, and the overall sustainability of fruit and vegetable production. A better understanding of the factors associated with BDM use could inform efforts to promote the use of BDMs. The main goal of this study is to assess the correlation between the use of BDMs among fruit and vegetable farmers, and labor savings and environmental stewardship. Using data from a Tennessee fruit and vegetable farmer survey and probit regressions, this study evaluates the correlation between the use of BDMs, and the labor savings associated with the use of BDMs and farmer environmental stewardship, after controlling for farmer and farmer business characteristics. Results suggest that farm size, farmer environmental stewardship, and labor savings from BDM use are strongly correlated with the use of BDMs among Tennessee fruit and vegetable growers, specifically among those farmers who are more likely to have previous experience using PE mulch.

Suggested Citation

  • Margarita Velandia & Roderick Rejesus & Christopher Clark & Karen L. DeLong & Annette Wszelaki & Susan Schexnayder & Kimberly Jensen, 2020. "Evaluating the Relationship between Fruit and Vegetable Growers Use of Plastic Biodegradable Mulches, and Environmental Stewardship and Labor Savings: The Case of Tennessee Fruit and Vegetable Farmers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:5:p:2075-:d:329923
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Velandia, Margarita & Smith, Aaron & Wszelaki, Annette & Galinato, Suzette & Marsh, Thomas, 2018. "The Economics of Adopting Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films," Extension Reports 302940, University of Tennessee, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
    2. Tingting Liu & Randall J. F. Bruins & Matthew T. Heberling, 2018. "Factors Influencing Farmers’ Adoption of Best Management Practices: A Review and Synthesis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-26, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Velandia, Margarita & Jensen, Kimberly & DeLong, Karen L. & Wszelaki, Annette & Rihn, Alicia, 2020. "Tennessee Fruit and Vegetable Farmer Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Plastic Biodegradable Mulch," Journal of Food Distribution Research, Food Distribution Research Society, vol. 51(3), November.
    2. Velandia, Margarita & Denton, Riley & DeLong, Karen L. & Trejo-Pech, Carlos O. & Tanaka, Keiko & Rignall, Karen & Chen, Xuqi & Yenerall, Jackie, 2022. "Evaluating Factors Influencing Tennessee and Kentucky Farmers’ Willingness to Sell Produce Through Fresh Stop Markets," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322099, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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