Conservation Reserve Program in Illinois: Investigation of Participants' Motives, Expectations, and Desired Outcomes

A mail survey of 5,000 Illinois agriculture producers resulted in a 39% response rate. Survey questions focused on conservation program enrollment and wildlife habitat conservation. More than half (56%) of respondents were currently participating or participated in the past in a conservation program. At the time of the survey thirty-four percent of agriculture producers participated in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and 91% were familiar with this program. Native grasses/forbs and wildlife habitat were the most commonly reported conservation practices performed by respondents. The most important reasons among survey respondents for enrolling in a conservation program were to reduce soil erosion, increase wildlife habitat, and improve water quality. The majority of agriculture producers (85%) believed that it is their personal responsibility to help protect wildlife, whereas only 62% believed that farmers as a whole were doing their part to protect wildlife habitat.