Factors Affecting Producer Participation in State-Sponsored Marketing Programs By Fruit and Vegetable Growers in Tennessee

State programs promoting agricultural products have proliferated in response to increased consumer interest in locally grown foods. Tennessee, for example, currently has two state-sponsored programs promoting Tennessee agricultural products. This study examines the factors associated with fruit and vegetable farmer participation in these programs using mean comparisons and bivariate probit regression. Results suggest that farmer participation in these programs was associated with operation size, percentage of income from farming, percentage of annual sales from fresh produce, and attendance to University Extension educational events. These results should interest individuals attempting to increase producer participation in these types of programs.