Lack of understanding and knowledge about the purpose, cost and benefits of Edge-of-Field practices among farmers and landowners is severely hindering adoption and preventing attainment of INRS goals
Ames, Iowa – Iowa Learning Farms (ILF), a conservation education and outreach program from Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach, announced the publication of a Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) policy brief sharing the latest findings on Edge-of Field (EOF) conservation practice adoption in Iowa. The brief details unique data and insights on consistently low adoption rates of EOF practices as well as barriers to adoption based on responses from some 774 Iowa farmers and landowners across five different HUC-8 watersheds in the Des Moines Lobe.
“How to Increase Iowa Farmers’ and Landowners’ Understanding of Edge-of-Field Practices,” provides actionable data and recommendations for increasing the adoption of three primary EOF practices: saturated buffers, bioreactors and water enhancement wetlands.
“When Iowa adopted the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy in 2012, the policy was considered a bellwether for water quality and conservation action throughout the nation,” said Jacqueline Comito, adjunct assistant faculty at Iowa State University and ILF director. “Attaining the targeted 45% total load reductions in both nitrogen and phosphorus draining into Iowa waterways is simply not possible without extensively employing these EOF practices, and yet they are used on less than 1% of Iowa farmland today. Even more concerning is the unexpectedly high response rate from respondents that they were ‘not sure’ about the purpose and benefits of these practices. We must elevate comprehension and bridge the communication gap with farmer and landowners.”
Primary researchers and authors Xiaolan Wan, Ph. D., senior analyst at Citibank who just graduated from Iowa State University, Department of Economics, Jacqueline Comito Ph.D., and Wendong Zhang, Ph.D., assistant professor, Cornell University, conducted the research for this report to further clarify and explore findings from an earlier study designed to assess the impacts of EOF practice outreach and education methodologies on implementation rates.
This report builds on the findings of the earlier study and provides a solid foundation for effective outreach. In one test case, a 90-second video featuring a female farmer discussing the wildlife benefits as well as the nutrient reduction capabilities of EOF practices proved the most effective of the message treatment options. More than half of those who viewed this video indicated they would employ saturated buffers, and nearly half would incorporate water quality enhancement wetlands.
Key Findings:
- Barriers to adoption
- Around half of respondents expressed unfamiliarity with each practice, representing a substantial barrier to the broader adoption and effective implementation of key EOF practices
- Some 40% expressed concerns about bureaucratic red tape associated with government programs
- Most respondents were unaware of other farmers who have implemented EOF practices
- Tactics that could raise adoption rates
- Integrating wildlife benefits into educational materials not only informs but also motivates farmers and landowners to adopt EOF practices
- Educational videos featuring male and female farmers are effective in motivating adoption
- Targeted use of presenter gender in educational videos could be a valuable strategy to attract and engage different gender groups in conservation efforts
- Infographics featuring farmers and incorporating wildlife benefits are effective outreach tools
This survey was supported by an Iowa Nutrient Research Center grant.
About Iowa Learning Farms:
Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) is building a Culture of Conservation by encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members ae working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms include the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources, EPA Section 319 Grant Program and GROWMARK, Inc.
Contacts
Liz Ripley, Iowa Learning Farms, 515.294.5429, ejuchems@iastate.edu