Montana Organic Association 17th Annual Conference and Business Meeting

Organic agriculture is a transformative approach that balances the goals of sustainable agriculture. Understanding how producers identify themselves may give insight as to what drives their decision to explore innovative practices. The purpose of this study was to assess influences on organic agricultural producers’ attitudes, behaviors, and decisions related to sustainable best management practices.  Rogers’ Diffusions of Innovations and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) were used to analyze organic producers’ attitudes, behaviors, and decisions related to sustainable best management practices (BMP). This descriptive study utilized a survey research design of producer members of the Montana Organic Association. Data analysis was conducted to assess the relationships between questions and constructs of the TPB. Respondents considered themselves risk-takers, leaders, and deliberators who use an integrated whole farm approach. Influences of peers and social groups had a significant effect on producers’ decisions to implement sustainable BMPs.