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 n Lack of knowledge, confusion on gov’t programs n Lack of knowledge of conservation practices needed on-farm n Current TT approaches not very effective n Reluctance to deal with government bureaucracy

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Program Impacts n Agent cost per project contact: $33 n Agent cost per executed FSA contract: $125 n 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. n Refunded to continue in current area and expanded to new watershed n Provides opportunity to identify other needed conservation practices

Program Inhibitors n 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 n 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 n Several Farm Link agents did not work as expected n Difficult to find producers with desired Agent attributes

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

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

Questions?

This project was made possible with funding from the This project was made possible with funding from the USDA-CSREES Credits