current research does not adequately explain why people persist in using certain

agricultural technologies

 Summary

 I tested four hypotheses in this research:

1. A relationship will exist between farmers' socio-economic characteristics and their
 use of TAP.

2. A strong positive relationship will exist between farmers' attitudes towards their
 use of TAP, subjective norms, self-efficacy, control beliefs, self-identity and their
 use of TAP.

3. A positive relationship will exist between farmers' access to resources and their use
 of TAP.

4. The theory of planned behavior will better explain why farmers' use TAP than any
 of the other theoretical models.

 Overall, my results do not corroborate any of my hypotheses. Few to no variables

associated with each theory show that a relationship exists between TAP user groups.

The economic model was the strongest predictor of behavior over the TPB. However, no

one variable could significantly explain Cherokee farmers' persistent use of TAP.

 The results do allow me to offer a painting of the overarching characteristics of

each user group. The high TAP user group consists of small-scale farmers who do not

rely upon farming as a primary occupation or providing a major source of income.

These farmers may be home gardeners or hobby farmers. They sometimes identify

themselves as traditional farmers and have a positive attitude about traditional

agriculture. Social pressure urges them to use TAP. Confidence, control beliefs and

access to resources do not strongly influence their decision-making to use TAP. This

may be indicative of their overall lack of access to reliable and consistent sources of

knowledge and resources, other than elders, related to TAP. This research indicates that