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FARM LINK in Nebraska: Peer-to-Peer Conservation Buffer Extension That Works

FARM LINK in Nebraska: Peer-to-Peer Conservation Buffer Extension That Works. Scott J. Josiah, David Shelton, Rod Wilke and Tom Franti University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Factors Inhibiting Conservation Buffer Adoption. Lack of knowledge, confusion on gov’t programs

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FARM LINK in Nebraska: Peer-to-Peer Conservation Buffer Extension That Works

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  1. FARM LINK in Nebraska: Peer-to-Peer Conservation Buffer Extension That Works Scott J. Josiah, David Shelton, Rod Wilke and Tom Franti University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  2. Factors Inhibiting Conservation Buffer Adoption • Lack of knowledge, confusion on gov’t programs • Lack of knowledge of conservation practices needed on-farm • Current TT approaches not very effective • Reluctance to deal with government bureaucracy

  3. FARM LINK • Improves information delivery to landowners • Personal, “high touch” approach • One-on-one attention • On-farm • Capitalizes on peer pressure

  4. Program Design • Small watershed focus • Foster “buzz” for more rapid spread among residents • Agents are temporary contractors • January – March • Conduct “cold” calls, follow-up on-farm visits with aerial photos (minimum 2 hours/visit) • Minimum # of visits • On-farm visit ($30), $0.30/mile, & $100 bonus if producer signs FSA contract • Training in buffer benefits, design, government programs and “sales techniques”

  5. FARM LINK Agent Selection Criteria • Local, full-time producer without livestock • Has stream • Well-respected, recognized as producer & leader • Farm site indicates “progressiveness” • Believes in promoted technology, and in program • Strong conservation ethic • Active leadership in ag organizations • Motivated, positive, people-person, good communicator

  6. The Program Coordinator • Find & secure the “right” agents • Assists with training • Provides on-going supervision, monitoring • Monitors Agent productivity, solves problems • Processes intent forms, pay claims • Links project and government agencies • Sign up new producers, & encourage previous contacts to contract with NRCS/FSA

  7. The Farm Visit • Review producers conservation buffer (& other conservation) needs & opportunities • Use aerial photo to identify opportunities • Review government programs available to producer • If interested, producer signs intent form • Agent links producer to agency (NRCS/FSA)

  8. Program Impacts • 42 on-farm contacts, 28 (66%) signed intent forms • 11 contracts executed with NRCS/FSA • 66 acres of buffers to be installed • 26 additional on-farm contacts by Coordinator, 26 signed our intent form, 16 signed FSA intent forms • Sustainable capacity building: Creates local buffer “experts”– become “go-to” people post-project • Former Agents continue strong links to Extension & landowners

  9. More Program Impacts • Agent cost per project contact: $33 • Agent cost per executed FSA contract: $125 • Much more effective way to convey information – directly addresses government program confusion • “You have given more information to me in this visit than I have ever gotten leaning across the counter at the NRCS office”. A Shell Creek producer. • Refunded to continue in current area and expanded to new watershed • Provides opportunity to identify other needed conservation practices

  10. Program Inhibitors • County level NRCS employees often did not follow-up on FARM LINK contacts/intent forms • Overloaded with many other programs to administer • Concerned that on-farm visits could be construed as discriminatory to farmers not visited • Producers had to travel (several times) to FSA office to complete forms • Producers must know exactly what they want • No opportunity to ID other conservation practices • Several Farm Link agents did not work as expected • Difficult to find producers with desired Agent attributes

  11. Keys to Program Success • Choose the right agents • Provide adequate training • Provide close monitoring of Agent progress • Proactive – goes to the farmer, doesn’t wait for the producer to come to the office • Initial contact from neighbor, not agency • Promote awareness + adoption (not just awareness) • Via intent form • Emphasize commitment • High touch, personalized approach by respected neighbors • Structured to overcome reluctance to deal with government bureaucracy

  12. Future Challenges • Finding the right people • Improve agency processing of intent forms • Expand program over larger geographic areas • Expand program to cover a range of conservation practices

  13. Questions?

  14. Credits This project was made possible with funding from theUSDA-CSREES

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