The adoption of conservation practices in the Corn Belt: the role of one formal farmer network, Practical Farmers of Iowa

Abstract

Substantial evidence has shown that involvement in peer-to-peer farming networks influences whether a farmer decides to try a new practice. Formally organized farmer networks are emerging as a unique entity that blend the benefits of decentralized exchange of farmer knowledge within the structure of an organization providing a variety of sources of information and forms of engagement. We define formal farmer networks as farmer networks with a distinct membership and organizational structure, leadership that includes farmers, and an emphasis on peer-to-peer learning. This study complements existing ethnographic research on the benefits of organized farmer networking by examining farmers in one longstanding formal farmer network, Practical Farmers of Iowa. Using a nested, mixed-method research design, we analyzed survey and interview data to understand how participation and forms of engagement in the network are associated with the adoption of conservation practices. Responses from 677 farmers from a regular member survey disseminated by Practical Farmers of Iowa in 2013, 2017, and 2020 were pooled and analyzed. GLM binomial and ordered logistic regression results indicate that greater participation in the network, particularly through in-person formats, has a strong and significant association with greater adoption of conservation practices. Logistic regression results show that building relationships in the network is the most important variable for predicting whether a farmer reported adopting conservation practices as a result of participation in PFI. In-depth interviews with 26 surveyed member farmers revealed that PFI supports farmers to adopt by providing information, resources, encouragement, confidence building, and reinforcement. In-person learning formats were more important to farmers relative to independent formats because they were able to have side conversations with other farmers, ask questions, and observe results. We conclude that formal networks are a promising way to expand the use of conservation practices, particularly through targeted efforts to increase relationship building in the network through face-to-face learning opportunities.

Financial incentive programs and farm diversification with cover crops: assessing opportunities and challenges

“…In the U.S., farmer and community-level innovation is the main pathway for transitions to diversified farming systems because policies and markets that promote diversification are limited [23,24]. Here, we focused on a federal conservation program that could help alleviate the large structural constraints to cover cropping.…”

“…the Farm Bill), concentrated markets, and corporate power that work in concert to disproportionately support simplified cropping systems [23]. Adoption of conservation practices therefore typically occurs through grassroots networks that emphasize peer-to-peer learning [24]. A large body of research has focused on behavioral and demographic factors that influence practice adoption, while structural factors, including agri-environmental policies, are understudied [20,21,25].…”

Broadscale diversification of Midwestern agriculture requires an agroecological approach

“…Implicit in these efforts is the premise that increasing the adoption of diversified farming systems at a regional scale requires weaving together a multiplicity of different place-based projects. Doing so is likely to require organizing farmer networks and cross-sector community support (Asprooth et al, 2023).…”

Perceived Organizational Support, Inter-Temporal Choice, and Farmer Conservation Tillage Adoption

“…Nazu S B et al's (2022) [4] study on the willingness to pay for adopting conservation tillage in terms of individual and co-operative payment systems of wheat farmers in Bangladesh found that co-operatives formed based on farmers' WTP can promote the adoption of conservation tillage by reducing the cost of conservation tillage for farmers. L. Asprooth, M. Norton, and R. Galt (2023) [21] researched how participation and forms of engagement in the farmer network of the formal organization Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) are associated with the adoption of conservation practices. L. Asprooth, M. Norton, and R. Galt (2023) [21] found that PFI supports farmers in adopting conservation tillage technologies by providing information, resources, encouragement, confidence building, and reinforcement.…”

“…L. Asprooth, M. Norton, and R. Galt (2023) [21] researched how participation and forms of engagement in the farmer network of the formal organization Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) are associated with the adoption of conservation practices. L. Asprooth, M. Norton, and R. Galt (2023) [21] found that PFI supports farmers in adopting conservation tillage technologies by providing information, resources, encouragement, confidence building, and reinforcement. Formal networks in PFI, which build relationships by providing face-to-face learning opportunities, are essential for conservation tillage promotion.…”