A random sample, predominantly black, of about 100 rural Louisiana residents was interviewed in 1979-80 to determine the extent to which rural residents' educational and occupational motivations were related to their adoption of agricultural technology. Published literature relevant to the subject was reviewed. With the exception of an "integrated pest management or control system," less than 50% of the residents were using recommended agricultural technology. For residents aged 20-55, the relationship between educational motivation and adoption of technology was positively related, but for those over 55, the relationship was negative. The relationship between residents' educational motivation and adoption of technology was negatively related for residents whether they owned small or large farms. Residents with higher levels of education tended to have higher adoption of technology. Occupational motivation and level of technology adoption were found to be positively related for residents with high income levels and negatively related for those with lower income levels. For residents aged 20-55 and over 55, the association between occupational motivation and adoption of technology was found to be negatively associated. Whether residents had high or low levels of education, associations between occupational motivation and level of adoption of technology were negative. (CM)