Surveys show education from fellow farmers drives greater implementation of lesser known water quality practices. 

Messaging about the benefits of edge-of-field conservation measures by peer farmers should be ramped up to encourage Iowa farmers to consider adopting saturated buffers and nitrate-removing wetlands as viable practices.

Those words came from Wendong Zhang, associate professor in the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University and a former professor of economics at Iowa State University, during a recent Iowa Learning Farms webinar focused on increasing the adoption of effective edge-of-field practices.

Three rounds of surveys, totaling nearly 800 farmer responses, reveal that saturated buffers and wetlands are gaining interest among producers. Still, up to 40% of those considering adoption remain hesitant — often citing concerns about government red tape or a lack of understanding about how the practices work and why they are necessary.

“We know these structural edge-of-field practices are potentially very critical to improving water quality both locally and downstream by reducing nitrate load year after year,” Zhang explained. “And they could potentially also provide a lot of habitat for wildlife and pollinators.

“Yet the need to convert a portion of cropland to these practices is part of the hesitation that certain farmers have.”

An urgent need for more education about less understood practices is a starting point to increase adoption, Zhang said, as edge-of-field measures are vital to meeting Iowa’s water quality goals.


Education methods matter

Education comes in many forms, and researchers have begun to fine-tune outreach based on who delivers the message. According to the survey, that makes a difference, said Zhang.

“We discovered in many cases that infographic-style fact sheets as opposed to videos are often most effective … and then … who the farmers want to hear these edge-of-field practice messages from,” Zhang said. “Farmers we surveyed have a strong preference toward peer farmers who adopted (practices) already, as opposed to extension professionals. That’s one of the key findings.”

Iowa Learning Farms has developed a series of informational sheets explaining relevant conservation practices. (Visit www.iowalearningfarms.org/edge-of-field.)

For example, saturated buffers divert drainage water through the subsurface, and as the water flows out of the tile and through the soil under the buffer, nitrates are removed through microbial activity and plant uptake. Likewise, wetlands employ naturally occurring microbes to remove nitrates from water leaving farm fields through tile drainage.

Other survey results include:

• Explaining the benefits to wildlife from implementing conservation practices could increase adoption.

• Female farmer respondents are more significantly responsive to the messages delivered by peers, especially when the peer messengers are early adopter male farmers. In contrast, male farmer respondents are less swayed by the peer messengers.

• Messages on edge-of-field practices are more effective among farmers not currently using buffer strips than among those who do.

• Messages on water quality enhancement wetlands are more effective among non-CRP participants than CRP participants.

• Higher cost-share subsidies modestly increase adoption of edge-of-field practices, although cost shares of 100% to 125% aren’t necessarily more effective than lower amounts such as 90%.

Zhang said the top three reasons for farmers rejecting an edge-of-field conservation program are concerns about additional government regulations, taking land out of production and not wanting to deal with a government agency.

The least concerning factors for farmers are lack of support from peers, lower cost-share payments and required technical knowledge.

Zhang again pointed to proper education and outreach as key to further adoption. 

“If you have the chance to talk about these practices, make sure that you’re clear about the differences between the practices … what are the differences between the saturated buffer opposed to buffer strips and what are the benefits, … the cost and how it works,” he said. “Familiarize yourself with the installation process and costs.”

In addition, Zhang said farmers shouldn’t be overly concerned about government red tape, as cost share is available and the benefits far outweigh the amount of bureaucracy involved.