Responses of a sample of 106 operators and 69 landlords concerning degree of soil erosion, use of conservation practices, and factors hindering adoption of selected practices are described. Operator and landlord views of the seriousness of soil erosion differed from SCS estimates. Operators and landlords may not have skills to assess the economic or physical severity of the problem. Few used recommended erosion control practices. Main obstacles to adoption were low levels of cost sharing in 1977 and views of the soil erosion problem.