In this research report, we examine determinants of absentee landowner participation in USDA set-aside and cost share programs. Previous research on these landowners suggests they have a high interest in conservation yet minimal involvement in government conservation programs on their land (e.g. Petrzelka et al., 2009, Roggenbuck and Kushman, 1980). Our aim is to better understand this gap in hopes of attracting absentee landowners as participants to USDA conservation programs.