Economic Analysis of Climate Change Best Management Practices in Vermont Agriculture

Alexander P. Helling, David S. Conner, Sarah N. Heiss and Linda S. Berlin
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Alexander P. Helling: Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont, 146 University Place, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
David S. Conner: Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont, 146 University Place, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
Sarah N. Heiss: Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont, 146 University Place, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
Linda S. Berlin: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Vermont, 105 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT 05405, USA

Agriculture, 2015, vol. 5, issue 3, 1-22

Abstract: Climate change impacts local agricultural systems in detectable and distinguishable ways from large-scale shifts in water, land, and weather patterns to regionally specific distributions of weeds, pests, and diseases. Best management practices for adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change include modifications to farm production through adjusted intensity and product types and changing land use through crop siting and tillage practices. Farmer perceptions of risk and profitability of best management practices are key determinants of adoption, which traditional incentive programs like the Environmental Quality Incentive Program attempt to address by providing financial and technical support. To ensure that payments offered through these programs that maximize adoption, regional incentive payments must be based upon locally established costs. This paper focuses on the cost of implementing and maintaining climate change specific best management practices (CCBMPs) for twelve diverse farms in Vermont. Specifically, three CCBMPs for Vermont are examined: cover cropping, management intensive rotational grazing (MIRG), and riparian buffer strips. Results show the average cost for cover cropping is $129.24/acre, MIRG is $79.82/acre, and a tree based riparian buffer strip cost $807.33/acre. We conclude that existing incentive payments for cover cropping and MIRG are below costs, likely resulting in under-adoption.

Keywords: agriculture; climate change; best management practices; adaptation; mitigation; economic analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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