Survey research examining how nonmonetary benefits influence irrigation, farming, and water market decisions.
This research highlight summarizes findings from a 2023 survey of 105 Washington farmers holding surface water rights in the Methow, Okanogan, Walla Walla, and Yakima basins. The study examined how pecuniary and nonpecuniary benefits of farming influence real-world decisions, including increasing production, remaining in farming, holding off-farm employment, and participating in water markets. Results show that both financial and lifestyle factors shape farmer behavior. Farmers with successors were significantly more likely to increase production, while higher-income farmers and those who value social and rural lifestyle benefits were more likely to remain in farming over the next decade. Larger farms (over 1,000 acres) were more likely to participate in water markets, whereas smaller farms were more likely to hold off-farm employment. Findings suggest that policies related to land conservation and water markets should account for nonmonetary motivations alongside financial incentives.
This work was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, project #1016467.
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Authors
Deol, S., Yoder, J., and Cook, J.
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Suggested Citation
Deol, S., Yoder, J., Cook, J. 2024. Nonpecuniary Effects on Farmer Behavior: Evidence from Washington State Farmers with Surface Water Irrigation. Technology for Trade Research Highlight. Washington State University.
Year Published
2024
Area of Focus
Water Resources & Policy
Topic
Production Systems
