Responses to an open-ended question asking growers why they farm organically or are in transition to do so were compiled (Table 4). The most frequently stated reasons were related to concern for the environment or stewardship of natural resources, with soil being mentioned most often. Many respondents offered two or three reasons for using organic production systems. Table 4 gives an indication of the primary motivators for organic farming.
Table 4. Categories and Frequency of Reasons for Farming Organically. |
|
|---|---|
| Reason Cited | Frequency of Response |
| Environment/stewardship of natural resources | 64 |
| Avoid exposure or use of chemicals | 30 |
| Sustain farming for future | 20 |
| More money | 19 |
| Health of self and family | 18 |
| Quality of food | 18 |
| Lower input costs | 18 |
| Consumer demand/marketability | 15 |
| Family tradition/wasy of life | 15 |
| Health of others | 15 |
| Spiritual/philosophy/God's will | 9 |
| Fun/organic production intrests me | 3 |
| Self-sufficciency | 2 |
| Deversification | 1 |
| People contact | 1 |