Conservation Planning Training for Private Sector Agronomy Service and Local Conservation Agencies

Project Overview

ENC05-086
Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2005: $53,562.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2008
Region: North Central
State: Minnesota
Project Coordinator:
Tim Gieseke
Minnesota Project

Annual Reports

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Animal Production: grazing - continuous, grazing - multispecies, grazing - rotational
  • Crop Production: crop rotation
  • Education and Training: demonstration, extension, on-farm/ranch research, workshop, technical assistance
  • Farm Business Management: whole farm planning
  • Natural Resources/Environment: soil stabilization, wildlife
  • Production Systems: organic agriculture
  • Soil Management: soil analysis, organic matter, soil quality/health
  • Sustainable Communities: public participation, sustainability measures

    Proposal abstract:

    The Conservation Security Program has the potential to revolutionize conservation on working lands, but only if conservation planning training for agronomic businesses and local conservation agencies is available to these sector to fill this vital niche. This project will provide the training and enable those businesses to expand their services and profitability, as they help farmers access conservation incentives and improved farm sustainability. The project focuses on the priority on the priority area of Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development. The project will provide training to private and public sector entities associated with delivering agronomic and conservation services. The audience will be private Certified Corp Advisors (CCAs) who deliver their service through farmer cooperatives, farm management and independent businesses, as well as soil and water conservation districts and extension staff. The training consists of five conservation planning sessions lasting 2-3 days each over a year, delivered by experts from WI and MN Land Grant universities, SWCD, NRCS, and farmers. Participants will receive up to 40 educational credits sanctioned by the American Society of Agronomy.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    The immediate outcome will be a core of certified conservation planners located in agronomy services businesses and local conservation staff, using the training regime developed by an interagency team. The intermediate outcome will be an expansion in the delivery of conservation services to farmers. Weaving conservation planning within agronomic decisions ensures greater adoption of conservation, resulting in a long-term outcome of better care of the land, higher enrollment in conservation incentive programs, and more profitable farm service businesses.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.