Working with Farmers to Increase Adoption of Water Conservation Practices
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) announced three grants totaling $474,550 as part of the Achieving Conservation through Targeting Information, Outreach and Networking (ACTION) program. ACTION supports projects exploring how to increase landowner willingness to adopt conservation practices that provide a range of ecosystem benefits. The Walton Family Foundation provided matching funds to the ACTION program.
Researchers at Iowa State University (ISU), The Ohio State University (OSU) and University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension (UW) received grants to increase farmers’ use of conservation practices, in particular in-field, edge-of-field and edge-of-stream practices that include controlled drainage, grassed waterways and restored wetlands. Edge-of-field practices can help farmers regulate water storage, improve water quality, support soil health and enhance wildlife habitat in working landscapes. However, implementation of conservation practices has proven to be a challenge in part due to a lack of effective knowledge of the barriers and challenges to implementation.
The three complementary projects will explore how technical support and information, peer-to-peer networks and strategic interventions can overcome the concerns and barriers to implementation.
Source: osu.edu
Photo Credit: Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research
Categories: Ohio, Sustainable Agriculture