Post on 21-Dec-2015
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
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
FARM LINKFARM LINK
Improves information delivery to landowners
Personal, “high touch” approach– One-on-one attention– On-farm
Capitalizes on peer pressure
Program DesignProgram 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”
FARM LINK Agent Selection CriteriaFARM 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
The Program CoordinatorThe 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
The Farm VisitThe 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)
Program ImpactsProgram 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
More Program ImpactsMore 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
Program InhibitorsProgram 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
Keys to Program SuccessKeys 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
Future ChallengesFuture 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
Questions?Questions?
This project was made possible with This project was made possible with funding from thefunding from the USDA-CSREES
CreditsCredits