Perceptions of conservation reserve program participants to environmental quality in the Oklahoma Panhandle

Scope and method of study. The study was directed to identify the attitudes and perceptions that influence the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants in the Oklahoma Panhandle. A mail-out survey was conducted from the sample of address locations of CRP participants provided by the Farm Services Agency offices in the Panhandle counties of Beaver, Cimarron and Texas. An informative research analysis methodology was adapted to identify some of the decisions and preference of participants towards environmental quality in the CRP. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to interpret the survey results. The participant's characteristics were studied towards their current enrollment and re-enrollment decisions in the program with data collected towards the end of summer 2005.; Findings and conclusions. A majority of CRP participants (61.2%) agreed that the U.S. government is paying adequate attention in controlling soil erosion. Results indicate that the participants agree that there is adequate attention paid by U.S. government on water and air quality improvement. The perceptions of the CRP participants in Oklahoma Panhandle favor the continuation of the Conservation Reserve Program in the region. However, re-enrollment preferences in their participation could be improved with certain modification in the Environmental Benefits Index. It is the recommendation of the study that the Index could be tuned to cater the specific needs of the CRP participants and not be totally subjective. Some of these modifications include introduction of enhanced air and wildlife quality initiatives and influence of hog farm development to air and water quality.