Socioeconomic characteristics of participants in the CRP: Texas High Plains

The role socioeconomic characteristics, such as age, tenure, occupation, education, organizational structure, and size of holdings, play in producer participation in the Conservation Reserve Program in the Texas High Plains were investigated. Results indicate that (a) older individuals are participating in the program at higher rates than other age groups; (b) the type of organizational structure has no effect on participation in the program; (c) part-time farmers are participating at higher rates than full-time farmers; (d) full owners are participating at higher rates than individuals who are non full owners; and (e) the educational level of landowners is positively related to the supply of land placed in the program.