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

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.