MISSOURI FARMERS AND PESTICIDE USE: A DIVERSITY OF VIEWPOINTS.

The article studies impacts of the use of pesticides by farmers in Missouri. In 1988, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compiled the results of more than 150 pesticide contamination monitoring studies and found more than 50 pesticides in the ground waters across 26 states of the U.S. Although majority of the population is not at risk, rural residents in Midwest rowcrop regions such as Missouri are at especially high risk. Accordingly, EPA has mandated the development of a strategy to coordinate federal, state, and private sector activities in addressing this problem. The purpose of the article is to investigate the range of viewpoints among Missouri farmers regarding their support for reduced pesticide and, thereby, to inform policy decisions related to the adoption of pest management practices that reduce ground water contamination. Results of the study are provided in full detail along with their explanations.