Growing Capacity, Growing Impact: A Train the Trainer Approach to Increasing Soil Health and Water Quality Through Targeted Outreach

Commodities

Practices

• Education and Training: extension, networking, workshop

Now more than ever, it is essential that Oregon farmers, ranchers, and land managers collaborate with trusted technical assistance providers, such as the Oregon Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) and its partners, to implement conservation practices that protect water quality, build soil health, and strengthen agricultural resilience. Targeted efforts and new approaches to outreach are needed to engage producers who have been hesitant to adopt conservation practices. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF), in partnership with OACD, proposes to expand Oregon's conservation outreach capacity through comprehensive training and continued support for agricultural professionals. This project aims to enhance the effectiveness of outreach personnel by equipping them with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to motivate producers to adopt best management practices that improve soil health and water quality. Grow More© is a proven agricultural outreach program that uses state specific problems and case studies in combination with practical outreach exercises to aid outreach professionals in crafting successful outreach plans. The training introduces foundational social science and communications knowledge that explain producer behavior change and how new ideas become the social norm. Program participants will apply these concepts to personalized strategies that leverage the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable agriculture to motivate farmers and ranchers. Ultimately increasing the adoption of conservation practices across Oregon's diverse agricultural landscapes.

The National Wildlife Federation in partnership with the Oregon Association of Conservation Districts (OACD), proposes to build conservation outreach capacity in conservation district staff and partners through training and ongoing support. This project will improve outreach by applying concepts from social science and theories of behavior change to engage previously difficult to reach producers.

Objective 1: Increase the knowledge and capacity of local conservation field staff and partners to conduct effective outreach to non-adopting farmers, ranchers, and land managers resulting in increased awareness, positive attitudes, and adoption of soil health practices by Oregon producers.

Objective 2: Promote and enhance the collaborative network of producers and conservation organizations in Oregon by facilitating the creation of shared messaging and outreach approaches for soil health and water quality focused sustainable agriculture practices.

Objective 3: Improve trust between producers and outreach professionals through audience segmentation and targeted event and outreach planning.