<p>Previous research indicates a positive correlation between socioeconomic status and willingness to adopt in pro-environmental behaviors. However, little attention has been given to the conditions under which this relationship strengthens or weakens among farmers. This study explores the impact of socioeconomic status on pro-environmental behavior among rural households using survey data collected from 3,294 households in China between 2020 and 2021. The findings reveal a significant positive influence of socioeconomic status on farmers’ pro-environmental behavior. Furthermore, time preference partially mediates the association between socioeconomic status and pro-environmental behavior, with social trust moderating this mediating effect. These findings provide alternative insights into the motivations driving environmentally relevant actions, and suggesting direction for future research.</p>