tuesday plenary panel - prokopy
TRANSCRIPT
Precision Conservation:The Human Component
Linda Stalker Prokopy, Ph.D.
Purdue University
benziecd.org
Sparrow model; water.usgs.org
ACPF output
Issues of Scale
Muth 2014
Problem 1: Picking a watershed
Assumption: Limited funds and can’t work everywhere
Not all watersheds are created equal
Where Programs Succeed
• Paid watershed staff• Active conservation groups• Inter-agency trust and
collaboration• Problem salience and
awareness• “Basic” BMPs already
adopted• Some farmers are
conservation leaders
Babin et al., In Press, Land Use Policy
Indian Creek, Illinois
Since 2011, over 50% of land is now in some form of conservation
Images: ctic.orgIndian Creek research funded by Illinois Soybean Association
Indian Creek, Illinois
Problem salience
Cohesive community
Minimal rented land
Small watershed
Dedicated staff
Photos: pantagraph.com; blogs.usda.gov
Problem 2: Getting People Engaged
Assumption: Need to change status quo
Prokopy et al., 2014, Society and Natural Resources
Indian Creek, Illinois
Photo: ctic.org
Steering Committee
“everyone feels like they’re
part of it”
Indian Creek, Illinois
Steering Committee
Funding
Indian Creek, Illinois
Steering Committee
Funding
Engagement of retailers
“bringing industry into it. . Farmers listen to ag retailers. . It’s their own people they’ve been working with. .”
Partnerships in Indian Creek
“Back to the issue of what do I see as being the key elements for success? Good working relationships amongst all of the various entities that can be involved. And that includes the fertilizer chemical dealers, the fertilizer chemical association, the various AG groups and organizations, the fertilizer supply companies…all the way up and down through the food chain…for the AG suppliers. And, locally here in the watershed, we’ve had a very good buy-in amongst the various organizations… Partnerships and buy-in” – Fertilizer Dealer
Q: Please indicate how influential the following groups and individuals are when you make decisions about agricultural practices and strategies
Results from a 2012 survey of Midwestern corn producers conducted by Useful to Usable (U2U) and SustainableCorn.org
Family
Chemical d
ealer
Seed dealer
Consulta
nt
Landlord
Other farm
ersNRCS
Banker/lawyer
FSA
Univ. Exte
nsion
Custom operator
Farm organiza
tion
State Ag Dept.
State Climatologist
Non-farm
ing friend
Conservation staff
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Strong Influence
Moderate Influence
Slight Influence
No Influence
No contact
Prokopy et al. 2014. Purdue Extension Publication FNR-488-W; Davidson et al. 2015, Journal of Environmental Quality
Problem 3: Reaching Individual Farmers
risk perceptions
age information
attitudes
TRUST
values
fear of regulationnorms money
social networks
1982-2007: 55 U.S. Studies looked at BMP adoption
Meta-analysis results published in Prokopy et al., 2008, Journal of Soil and Water Conservation and Baumgart-Getz, Prokopy, Floress, 2012, Journal of Environmental Management.
1982-2007: 55 U.S. Studies
Overall Finding:– Very few generalizable trends
However
Age
1982-2007: 55 U.S. Studies
Overall Finding:– Very few generalizable trends
However
Farm size
1982-2007: 55 U.S. Studies
Overall Finding:– Very few generalizable trends
However
Environmental attitudes
Attitudes
Three types of farmers:
- motivated by farm as business
- motivated by stewardship concerns
- motivated by off-farm environmental benefits
Reimer, Thompson, Prokopy, 2012, Agriculture and Human Values
1982-2007: 55 U.S. Studies
Overall Finding:– Very few generalizable trends
However
Q: Please indicate how influential the following groups and individuals are when you make decisions about agricultural practices and strategies
Results from a 2012 survey of Midwestern corn producers conducted by Useful to Usable (U2U) and SustainableCorn.org
Family
Chemical d
ealer
Seed dealer
Consulta
nt
Landlord
Other farm
ersNRCS
Banker/lawyer
FSA
Univ. Exte
nsion
Custom operator
Farm organiza
tion
State Ag Dept.
State Climatologist
Non-farm
ing friend
Conservation staff
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Strong Influence
Moderate Influence
Slight Influence
No Influence
No contact
Prokopy et al. 2014. Purdue Extension Publication FNR-488-W; Davidson et al. 2015, Journal of Environmental Quality
Do formal networks work?
Study of participants in Adapt-N and On Farm Network in Indiana
Longer participation = more reports of changing nitrogen rates and practices
BUT – the participating farmers were already higher
performing than other farmers– the participating farmers did not talk to others
about what they learned
Practice Characteristics also Important
Focus on:• Raising awareness of on-
farm and financial benefits
• Environmental benefits• Compatibility with
current farm practices
Reimer, Weinkauf, Prokopy, 2012, Journal of Rural Studies
Indiana Prairie Farmer
Diffusion of Innovations (Rogers)Early
Majority34%
Late Majority
34%
Early Adopters
13.5%
Innovators
2.5%
Laggards16%
x - 2sd x - sd x x + sd
Innovators:- Need to be respected in community for this to lead to more adoption.
Diffusion of Innovations (Rogers)Early
Majority34%
Late Majority
34%
Early Adopters
13.5%
Innovators
2.5%
Laggards16%
x - 2sd x - sd x x + sd
knowledge persuasion implementationconfirmationdecision
What motivates maintenance?
Local networks – being connected to community groups– Social norm towards BMP maintenance?
Sense of ownership is important– Hesitancy to participate in government
programs leads to longer term maintenance
Adam Baumgart-Getz, Ph.D. Dissertation, 2010
Early Adopters of Cover Crops
Likely to keep using:– Years of experience– Believe trial and error effective means of
learning– Supportive landlords
Likely to discontinue: self-funders
Data Source: CTIC/SARE cover crop survey 2014
Problem 4: Within Field Targeting
Complex message
But can be a positive – less work???
Precision Conservation• Initially select watersheds
with greater chance of success
• Still need trusted innovators to adopt
• Partner with trusted advisors• Engage with landowner and
tenant – one-on-one• How can practice be
compatible with ongoing practices?
Contact Information:
Linda [email protected]
http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~lprokopy/
@lprokopy
Photo credit: nasa.gov
Questions?