Research conducted by **Cornell University** highlights significant barriers preventing U.S. farmers from adopting eco-friendly agricultural practices. The study, published in the journal **Agriculture and Human Values** on **November 13, 2025**, indicates that misconceptions regarding labor demands are leading to lower implementation rates of sustainable practices.
Farmers tend to overestimate the labor involved in practices such as crop rotation, composting, and reduced tillage. The findings emerged from a survey of over **500 fruit and vegetable farmers** across the United States, complemented by in-depth interviews with nearly **50 farmers** in **New York** and **California**.
### Misconceptions About Labor Requirements
Many farmers identified three main barriers to adopting seven out of eight agroecological practices: cost, time, and complexity. Those who had never utilized these techniques perceived the labor requirements as significantly higher than those who had experience with them.
**Rachel Bezner Kerr**, a professor of global development at **Cornell**, stated, “When people talk about agroecological practices, they often assume it’s not really viable in the U.S. context. This paper really shows that actually, it is possible for American farmers to use these practices and that the barriers are lower than they may have thought.”
The study emphasizes the necessity for improved knowledge sharing among farmers to counter these misconceptions. **Jeff Liebert**, the first author and a doctoral graduate from **Cornell**, currently based at the **University of British Columbia**, noted the importance of community-driven solutions, stating, “Agroecology is really about context-specific, place-based solutions, and there are a lot of opportunities to help develop local, farmer-led movements.”
### Benefits of Agroecological Practices
The research highlights eight key practices that promote sustainability, including compost use, reduced tillage, intercropping, and cover cropping. While these methods may necessitate more intricate management, they can result in increased productivity and bolster biodiversity. Additionally, they contribute to improved water and air quality, reduced emissions, and heightened resilience to climate impacts.
Kerr emphasized the scientific backing for these practices, saying, “There’s robust scientific evidence that these practices can build resilience for farms to climate impacts.” She underscored the dual benefits of implementing these techniques—not only for environmental sustainability but also for farmers’ financial stability.
### Challenges for Larger Farms
The study found that larger farms, which dominate U.S. farmland, face greater challenges in adopting these practices. Farmers managing larger operations reported systemic labor issues, including shortages of farm workers and heightened pressure from state-specific minimum wage increases. Consequently, there is a trend towards mechanization, which could lead to fewer meaningful employment opportunities in agriculture.
Liebert raised concerns about this shift, stating, “If we replace humans with machines, it forecloses the potential pathway to farm work that’s really meaningful and dignified.” This perspective aligns with observations made during interviews with farmers, many of whom expressed a commitment to sustainable practices and the well-being of their workers, despite facing numerous structural challenges beyond their control.
### The Path Forward
The findings suggest that addressing the complexities of labor challenges across various farm sizes could enhance efforts to promote agroecological practices in the U.S. Moreover, Liebert called for broader discussions regarding the impact of non-agricultural policies on labor investment, particularly as market forces demand lower food prices.
Looking ahead, he warned that increased mechanization could lead to a significant reduction in farm workers over the next decade, potentially reshaping rural communities and perpetuating environmental challenges.
The study ultimately presents a nuanced understanding of the landscape in which farmers operate, aiming to inspire more robust dialogues and actions that could lead to a sustainable agricultural future.
For further details, refer to the original research by Jeff Liebert et al., titled “Not as hard as it seems? Labor challenges and opportunities for agroecological practices in the United States,” published in **Agriculture and Human Values**.
