The Social Side of Soils: A Farmer-Centered Analysis on the Adoption of Cover Crops  

The mutual relationship between agriculture, the environment, and our collective livelihoods is well established. In Ontario, agricultural soil health is a topic of increasing concern, with confirmation of decreasing soil organic matter levels, bare soil during winter months, and increased risk of soil erosion across the province. One way to mitigate these challenges is through the use of cover crops. Research on the adoption of sustainable farming practices, such as cover crops, has increased, with the most common perspective explored being from an economic context. However, the inclusion of socio-cultural factors related to agricultural practice adoption is less prevalent. To address this gap and better understand the complete adoption process, this research took a social constructivist approach, utilizing a qualitative methodology to conduct in-depth interviews with 16 grain farmers in southern Ontario, including adopters and non-adopters. Narrative and thematic analysis were used to analyze the data. Findings highlight the role of beliefs, values, and attitudes, and show that decision-making was both an individual and collective process. Participants also identified both benefits and challenges associated with support services during the adoption process.