Because the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) is important in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production, Tennessee farmers are being asked to consider the boll weevil eradication program (BWEP) as a way to control this pest. The eradication program is a cooperative-government-and-grower-sponsored area-wide cotton insect management program designed to eliminate the boll weevil. Several studies have evaluated the costs and benefits of the program (Carlson,et al., 1989; Ahouissoussi et al., 1993; Duffy et al., 1994). However, less research has been done to determine the factors that influence farmers' decisions on participating in the program (Kazmierczak, 1996).

The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate the important socioeconomic, demographic, and source-of-information factors that influence West Tennessee farmers' willingness to participate in a boll weevil eradication program.