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Unpublished Paper
Farmer perspectives on ecosystems service management, land use targeting and the future of Cornbelt agriculture
Leopold Center Completed Grant Reports
  • John Tyndall, Iowa State University
  • Tricia G. Knoot, Iowa State University
  • Matt Helmers, Iowa State University
  • Drake Larsen, Iowa State University
  • J. Gordon Arbuckle, Jr., arbuckle@iastate.edu
  • Brian K Gelder, Iowa State University
Project ID
E2011-15
Abstract
The development and use of targeted conservation practices was the subject of modeling, interviews and support tools researched by the project investigators.
Key Question
What kind of perspectives do Iowa farmers have on targeted conservation?
Findings
Most of the participating farmers recognized the importance of producing multiple benefits (or at least minimizing “bads” such as erosion) but lacked broad-scope information (e.g., nature of various problems and, in turn, what specifically to do about them in a low-cost way). There was a tacit acceptance of a targeted approach to conservation, yet considerable uncertainty exists regarding the cost, broad management consequences and the availability of incentives. Incentives that are independent of strict policy initiatives (e.g., driven by the NRCS) may be required to engender more autonomous application of enhanced, outcome-based conservation management that is aligned with targeted conservation; such incentives may well be in the realm of environmental markets and/or Payment for Ecosystem Service opportunities.
Principal Investigator(s)
John Tyndall
Co-Investigator(s)
Tricia Knoot, Matt Helmers, Drake Larsen, J. Gordon Arbuckle, Brian Gelder
Year of Grant Completion
2014
Citation Information
John Tyndall, Tricia G. Knoot, Matt Helmers, Drake Larsen, et al.. "Farmer perspectives on ecosystems service management, land use targeting and the future of Cornbelt agriculture" (2014)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/john_tyndall/27/