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