Perceptions of Production Practices and Technologies and the Influence of Information on Willingness to Purchase Food, Plants, and Turfgrasses

This study examines how various production practices/technology information impacts willingness to purchase food, plants, and turfgrasses. Using an online survey of around 2,100 respondents in the Southeastern United States, we find that providing scientific information about pesticides, GMO, and CRISPR technology reduces consumer willingness to purchase organic food. Providing all information raises willingness to purchase GMO and CRISPR produced foods. Plant results are similar to the food results, except that providing all information increases only the willingness to purchase food produced with CRISPR technologies. Turfgrass results indicate all information positively impacts CRISPR and there is no impact on the information treatments on organic.