RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Sample Selection, Individual Heterogeneity, and Regional Heterogeneity in Valuing Farmland Conservation Easements
JF Land Economics
JO Land Econ
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 627
OP 649
DO 10.3368/le.91.4.627
VO 91
IS 4
A1 Yuan, Yuan
A1 Boyle, Kevin J.
A1 You, Wen
YR 2015
UL http://le.uwpress.org/content/91/4/627.abstract
AB Public concern about farmland loss has a long history. These concerns are reflected in the U.S. federal farm bill and state-level programs. However, studies of the benefits of farmland conservation have largely been conducted at the local level. This study investigates heterogeneity in preferences for farmland conservation easements by conducting parallel studies in Georgia, Maine, and Ohio, and for a nationally representative sample using a choice experiment. We find that a program set at the national level will not result in optimal allocations of funds at the state level in terms of targeting farmland that will generate the greatest public benefits. (JEL Q24, Q51)