Who is applying? Understanding the motivations and challenges of participants in incentive programs for compost application

Policymakers are increasingly prioritizing soil health and organic waste reduction for climate change mitigation and adaptation, leading to incentive programs like the WSDA Compost Reimbursement Program (CRP), established in 2023. To ensure widespread adoption of this renewable resource, it is essential to understand who participates and does not participate in these programs. This is especially important given that an evaluation of a similar incentive program in California revealed significant social inequities. This study aims to address this gap by (1) evaluating the demographics and farm characteristics of CRP participants and non-participants using anonymized WSDA data, interviews, and surveys, and (2) identifying barriers to participation. We hypothesize that CRP participants will be more likely to have larger farms and greater access to technical services. The study findings will inform strategies to promote broader participation and equity in the CRP and other incentive programs, advancing compost adoption.