Role Identities and Pro-environmental Behavior among Farmers

Abstract

In this exploratory work, we investigate the relationship between the role identity “farmer” and farmers’ land management practices using data from 30 semistructured interviews with farmers in southeastern Idaho. Guided by social identity principles, we examine how farmers’ collective identity influences environmental attitudes and behaviors. Overall, we find that most farmers have implemented some conservation practices on their land, particularly those related to soil and water, and see themselves and other farmers as good environmental stewards. However, we also find that many of their chosen conservation practices required little to no sacrifice, and in addition to benefiting the environment, were also cost-minimizing business decisions. We find that as a group, these farmers’ beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors are largely focused on productive efficiency. We argue that this focus often puts them in competition with other social groups, which ultimately reinforces group saliency and adversely affects relations between farmers and other groups seeking to influence farming practices.