Research from Cornell University highlights that eco-friendly agricultural practices are more accessible than many farmers believe. The study reveals that misconceptions about labor requirements are a significant barrier to adopting sustainable farming methods across the United States. Practices such as crop rotation, composting, and reduced tillage offer environmental benefits and resilience against climate change, yet many farmers hesitate to implement them due to perceived increased workloads.
Published in the journal Agriculture and Human Values, the study surveyed over 500 fruit and vegetable farmers nationwide and conducted in-depth interviews with nearly 50 farmers in New York and California. The research identified three key labor concerns—cost, time, and complexity—as the primary obstacles preventing the adoption of seven out of eight agroecological practices. Interestingly, farmers who had previously implemented these methods reported lower labor demands than those who had not tried them.
Rachel Bezner Kerr, a professor of global development at Cornell, emphasized, “This paper shows that it is possible for American farmers to use these practices and that the barriers are lower than they may have thought.” The authors, including researchers from The Nature Conservancy, advocate for enhanced knowledge sharing among farmers to dispel these myths and promote the use of agroecological methods.
The eight techniques examined in the study include compost use, reduced tillage, intercropping, flower strips, crop rotations, cover cropping, and border plantings. While these practices require more intricate management, researchers found they can be financially beneficial through increased productivity. Additionally, they support biodiversity, improve air and water quality, and reduce emissions while enhancing resilience against flooding and drought.
Bezner Kerr, who also served on the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, noted, “There’s robust scientific evidence that these practices can build resilience for farms to climate impacts.” She highlighted the dual benefits of these methods—not just for the environment but also for farmers’ stable incomes and production capacities.
The study revealed that large farms, which dominate U.S. farmland, face particular challenges in adopting these practices. Farmers operating larger operations reported heightened labor difficulties, such as worker shortages and increased pressure from state minimum wage laws. Consequently, they tend to favor mechanization over traditional labor methods.
Jeff Liebert, the study’s first author and now affiliated with the University of British Columbia, pointed out the broader implications of shifting labor dynamics. He stated, “If we replace humans with machines, it forecloses the potential pathway to farm work that’s really meaningful and dignified.” This transition could significantly reshape rural communities and perpetuate environmental issues.
The authors argue that addressing labor challenges specific to various farm sizes could bolster the agroecological movement in the United States. They also suggest a need for discussions around the effects of non-agricultural policies that complicate labor investment, especially for farmers pressured by market demands for low-cost food.
Looking ahead, Liebert warned, “Fast-forward 10 years from now, you may have a lot fewer farm workers engaged in agriculture because farmers have shifted to greater mechanization and simplified farming systems.” This shift could have lasting impacts on rural communities and environmental sustainability.
Through extensive interviews with farmers, Liebert discovered a genuine desire among many to protect their workers and ensure food security. He remarked, “There are all of these structural factors that are out of their control.” This research sheds light on the complexities farmers face when making decisions about adopting sustainable practices.
The findings underscore the need for targeted initiatives to facilitate the transition towards eco-friendly agricultural practices, enabling farmers to realize their potential benefits while addressing labor challenges.
For further details, refer to the study by Jeffrey Liebert et al, “Not as hard as it seems? Labor challenges and opportunities for agroecological practices in the United States,” published in Agriculture and Human Values on November 13, 2025.
