Final report for GS24-304
Project Information
Soil degradation, exacerbated by agricultural activities promoting soil erosion, poses significant threats to the ecosystem services provided by soil. This trend is particularly concerning in Latin American countries, which lead global coffee production and face challenges from soil erosion, especially in hurricane-prone regions. Despite the potential benefits, small-scale coffee farmers often struggle to adopt soil conservation practices due to financial constraints. This highlights the need for conservation programs to address both economic and ethical dimensions to enhance adoption rates. Current efforts often overlook the social and ethical aspects of soil conservation, resulting in the disregard of farmers’ philosophical perspectives. To address this gap, we used a mixed methods research design to examine underserved minority Latino coffee farmers’ values, beliefs, and norms regarding soil conservation and their relationship to motivation to adopt soil conservation practices. By exploring these dimensions, we provide insights that can inform more effective and inclusive conservation strategies tailored to the needs and perspectives of coffee farmers. Ultimately, integrating social and ethical considerations into soil conservation efforts is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of coffee farming and protecting the livelihoods of farmers.
Based on the limited literature on soil conservation efforts and soil ethics in coffee farming, the research objectives for this study follow:
- To examine the relationship between coffee farmers' values, beliefs, and norms regarding soil conservation, socio-economic status, educational background, and access to resources and their motivation to adopt soil conservation practices
- To describe the ethical personal norms that motivate farmers to adopt soil conservation practices
- To implement and evaluate a soil conservation workshop to share recommendations and best practices for fostering soil conservation among coffee farmers
Cooperators
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
Research
This research followed a mixed methods design in which qualitative data complemented quantitative results. The purpose of the study was to examine coffee farmers’ values, beliefs, and norms regarding soil conservation and how these factors relate to their motivation to adopt soil conservation practices in Puerto Rico. The study was guided by the values-beliefs-norms (VBN) theoretical framework. The target population consisted of 300 coffee farmers in Puerto Rico’s primary coffee-producing regions. Recruitment strategies included social media, email lists, online communities, farm visits, and word-of-mouth facilitated by Extension agents from the Puerto Rico Agricultural Extension Service.
Quantitative data were collected through a survey completed by 124 coffee farmers, offered in both hard-copy and online formats, to understand farmers’ ethical considerations related to soil conservation. The study received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval from Mississippi State University. Participation was voluntary and incentivized with free optometric services and registration for a one-day soil conservation workshop, the project’s main outreach component. The questionnaire was available in English and Spanish; Ms. Cordero-Irizarry, a native Spanish speaker from Puerto Rico, translated, transcribed, and analyzed the responses. To ensure validity, the instrument was pre-tested with experts for clarity and relevance. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. To address Research Objective 1, descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and logistic regression analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Providing free optometric services as participation incentives also met a community health need, strengthened trust, and supported relationship-building with participants.
Qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 49 farmers from the 124 who completed the questionnaire, allowing for deeper exploration of personal ethical norms related to soil conservation. Participation was voluntary. Four criteria (confirmability, dependability, credibility, and transferability) were used to assess the quality of the qualitative data. To address Research Objective 2, thematic analysis was conducted following six steps: (1) data familiarization, (2) coding, (3) theme generation, (4) theme review, (5) defining and naming themes, and (6) writing the report.
A one-day runoff-management outreach workshop was developed, implemented, and evaluated in partnership with organizations in Puerto Rico. To address Research Objective 3, paired t-tests were conducted to analyze pre- and post-workshop evaluation surveys. Additional dissemination efforts will include peer-reviewed journal articles and Extension publications.
Quantitative results showed that beliefs and social norms were strong drivers of conservation behaviors, whereas values alone did not reliably predict adoption. The “typical” farmer profile emerged as male, nearing retirement, and highly experienced, yet navigating both structural and cultural barriers that limit conservation uptake. These insights highlight the need for Extension to move beyond solely technical recommendations and instead cultivate community engagement, peer-to-peer learning, and farmer-led leadership to strengthen resilient, conservation-minded agricultural networks.
Qualitative findings revealed four central themes: (1) soil as the heart of life, identity, and legacy; (2) evolving wisdom amid a changing landscape; (3) networks of support and skepticism; and (4) endurance and uncertainty in farming life. Together, these themes suggest that Puerto Rican coffee farmers hold a soil ethic grounded in generational values and tradition, while also demonstrating adaptability and openness to change. These themes reflect farmers' view of coffee farming as a timeless, honorable, and deeply rooted way of life. Future research should examine how culturally rooted soil ethics shape conservation behavior, offering insights for creating more effective, trust-based Extension programs that align with farmers’ lived experiences and decision-making contexts.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation summary:
On August 5, 2025, a one-day runoff management workshop was held for coffee farmers in Yauco, Puerto Rico. Thirty farmers participated in the program, which consisted of three components: (1) peer-to-peer discussions, (2) classroom-based instruction, and (3) a field demonstration. To support and reinforce the workshop content, an educational manual was developed in collaboration with partner organizations; this manual will be reformatted into an Extension article to expand its accessibility and impact. Retrospective evaluations were collected from participants. Preliminary data analysis suggests that most participants increased their knowledge of runoff management practices and are interested in learning more about the topic. They are willing to implement the practices with proper guidance, resources, and maintenance.
Project Outcomes
The project contributes to agricultural sustainability by strengthening environmental stewardship, social cohesion, and economic resilience within Puerto Rican coffee-farming communities.
Environmentally, the research revealed that farmers hold a deep, generational “soil ethic,” viewing soil as life, legacy, and identity. This cultural foundation and demonstrated adaptability indicate strong potential for long-term conservation adoption when supported through trusted relationships and context-specific guidance. Strengthening this ethic through Extension programs positions farmers for more sustainable soil management and improved watershed outcomes.
Socially, the strongest predictors of conservation behavior were beliefs and social norms rather than values alone. This highlights the crucial role of peer networks, farmer-to-farmer learning, and community trust in shaping decisions. By identifying these key social drivers, the project lays a foundation for future Extension approaches that leverage collective identity, local leadership, and participatory learning. Ultimately, these efforts will strengthen community capacity to sustain conservation practices over time.
Economically, findings show that while farmers are highly experienced, many face aging demographics, labor shortages, and resource constraints that limit feasibility of adopting new practices. This underscores the need for economic support systems, incentives, and policies that reduce structural barriers. The project provides evidence that technical recommendations alone are insufficient; economic investment and targeted support will be essential for scaling conservation efforts and sustaining coffee production in the region.
Through this project, we gained a deeper understanding of the social and cultural factors that shape soil conservation behavior among Puerto Rican coffee farmers. Quantitatively, we learned that beliefs and social norms, not values alone, are the strongest predictors of whether farmers adopt conservation practices. We also gained insight into the demographic profile and challenges of the average coffee farmer: typically male, nearing retirement, highly experienced, yet still constrained by structural and cultural barriers that limit adoption. This highlighted the need for Extension approaches that prioritize relationship-building, peer learning, and farmer-led leadership rather than relying solely on technical recommendations.
Qualitatively, we developed a richer appreciation for how farmers conceptualize soil and their work. We learned that soil is deeply tied to identity, legacy, and livelihood; that farmers’ knowledge evolves with shifting landscapes; that local networks carry both support and skepticism; and that farming life is marked by resilience amid constant uncertainty. These insights showed me that Puerto Rican coffee farmers hold a strong, culturally rooted soil ethic grounded in generational wisdom, while also demonstrating adaptability and pride in a profession they view as deeply honorable.
Future research should examine how beliefs and norms around soil conservation form and change within coffee-farming communities, including the roles of peers, family, and agricultural professionals. Expanding the survey instrument to other coffee-producing regions would strengthen generalizability, while longitudinal studies could reveal how farmers’ perspectives shift in response to economic pressures, climate change, policy shifts, or major events such as hurricanes. Broader geographic comparisons across the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, and Africa, as well as including youth, agricultural workers, and government officials, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the social, economic, and political challenges shaping conservation decisions. In particular, exploring how policymakers perceive labor shortages and whether these issues are reflected in policy agendas could help identify opportunities for targeted incentives or workforce development strategies. Another critical area involves understanding how trust is built or eroded within local networks and how this affects conservation adoption. Extension efforts in Puerto Rico should align with farmers’ relational and experiential learning preferences by emphasizing peer learning, collective identity, and farmer-led leadership. Involving respected, experienced farmers as co-facilitators may strengthen credibility, reinforce conservation norms, and accelerate adoption through trusted social networks.