Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T17:05:16.707Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

An Econometric Analysis of the Environmental Benefits Provided by the Conservation Reserve Program

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2015

Ronald A. Fleming
Ronald A. Fleming*
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Over $1.7 billion has been spent on the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) since 1985. The purpose of this study is to show that these expenditures have aided the environment. Rather than quantify changes in environmental variables, a spatial econometric model is used to test if CRP enrollments are greater in counties with poorer environmental quality. In seven of nine regions, CRP enrollments are higher in counties with an environmental concern. This positive finding justifies past expenditures by the CRP and supports continued funding as an environmental program. The CRP is targeting current environmental concerns that will lead to future improvement.

Keywords

Conservation Reserve Programeconometricsenvironmental qualitysoil erosionspatial datawater qualitywildlife habitatQ28Q58C31Q24Q25
Type
Invited Paper Sessions
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 36 , Issue 2 , August 2004 , pp. 399 - 413
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Clark, N. “Investigating the Relationship between Yield Risk and Agro-Environmental Indicators.” Master's thesis, University of Kentucky, 2002. Internet site: http://lib.uky.edu/ETD/ukyagec2002t00040/Clark.pdf (Accessed December 2003).Google Scholar
Greene, W.H.Econometric Analysis, pp. 469–70, 510–12. New York: Macmillan, 1990.Google Scholar
Heimlich, R. “Farm Resource Regions.” Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, ERS 760, August 2000. Internet site: http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aib760/aib-760.pdf (Accessed January 2004).Google Scholar
Judge, G.G., Hill, R.C., Griffiths, W.E., Lutke-pohl, H., and Lee, T.-C.. Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Econometrics, 2nd ed., pp. 462–65. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1988.Google Scholar
Osborn, C.T. “Wheat and the Conservation Reserve Program: Past, Present, and Future.” Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, ERS 760, August 2000.Google Scholar
Ribaudo, M. “Water Quality Benefits from the Conservation Reserve Program.” Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, WHS-1997, Wheat Yearbook, March 1997.Google Scholar
USDA, NRCS. “Commercial Nitrogen Fertilizer Runoff Vulnerability Index.” Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Resource Assessment Division, May 14, 1996a. Internet site: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/land/lgif/m21351.gif (Accessed January 2004).Google Scholar
USDA, NRCS. “Potential Pesticide Dissolved Runoff Loss from Farm Fields.” Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service, Resource Assessment Division, July 11, 1996b. Internet site: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/land/lgif/m22711.gif (Accessed January 2004).Google Scholar
USDA, NRCS. “Potential Pesticide Leaching Loss from Farm Fields.” Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Resource Assessment Division, July 11, 1996c. Internet site: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/land/lgif/m22691.gif (Accessed January 2004).Google Scholar
USDA, NRCS. “Average Annual Soil Erosion by Water on Cultivated Cropland as a Porportion of the Tolerable Rate (T), 1997.” Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Resource Assessment Division, January 25, 2001a. Internet site: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/land/meta/m5153.html (Accessed January 2004).Google Scholar
USDA, NRCS. “Average Annual Soil Erosion by Wind on Cultivated Cropland as a Proportion of the Tolerable Rate (T), 1997.” Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Resource Assessment Division, January 25, 2001b. Internet site: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/land/meta/m5152.html (Accessed January 2004).Google Scholar