Conference Agenda

Hedgerows play a crucial role in agricultural landscapes, supporting biodiversity, soil conservation, and ecological resilience. In France, hedgerow density has declined by 50 percent between 1975 and 2004, a trend that existing agricultural policies have been unable to reverse. This study examines the relationship between organic farming and hedgerow density, arguing that organic farmers have stronger incentives to maintain these landscape features. Using comprehensive parcel-level data covering nearly all French agricultural plots from 2015 to 2022, we merge a detailed hedgerow database with the Land Parcel Identification System to estimate the impact of organic farming certification and farming practice transitions on hedgerow planting and maintenance. Using a first-difference model with farm-level fixed effects, we find that organic farmers are significantly more likely to plant hedgerows, increasing hedgerow density by 0.8 meters per hectare, while conventional farmers exhibit a net hedgerow loss of 0.4 meters per hectare over the same period. The transition to organic farming plays a critical role in shaping these outcomes, as farmers adapt their practices and become more aware of the ecological benefits of hedgerows during the conversion process. These findings highlight the joint benefits of organic farming and hedgerow conservation and suggest that policies aimed at hedgerow preservation should target organic farmers. By aligning conservation efforts with organic agriculture, policymakers can enhance ecosystem services while fostering more sustainable farming practices.