Resources & Research

The Sand County Foundation (SCF) conducted a rapid watershed analysis in 2024, in coordination with the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) Agriculture Outreach team. SCF conducted 15 interviews and one focus group discussion on community capacity to promote natural infrastructure projects in the watersheds upstream of the Quad Cities. Interview participants included farmers, nonprofit staff, employees of government agencies, agribusiness professionals, academic researchers, and university extension staff. Interview discussions highlighted three key themes in farmers’ existing decision making: (1) human capacity, including the importance of trusted advisors for providing technical expertise, advice, and guidance for farmers, (2) social assets, including the importance of neighbors in decision making (social pressure either encouraging or discouraging the use of conservation practices) and the role risk assessment plays in farmer decision making, and (3) financial resources, with farmers often making decisions about conservation practices by balancing the upfront cost of installation with expected financial benefits, most commonly due to yield increases. The report closes with recommendations for next steps, with recommendations grouped around three key leverage points: (1) addressing cultural norms, (2) building local staffing capacity for conservation, and (3) making it easier for farmers to take action. Together, these leverage points aim to enhance adoption rates while fostering trust, collaboration, and the long-term sustainability of water quality and natural infrastructure projects in the Quad Cities region.

To identify scalable solutions for overcoming these barriers, National Wildlife Federation has developed a road map to expand conservation agriculture in the Mississippi River basin. This road map is a collective endeavor, drawing insights from diverse stakeholders including farmers, researchers, policymakers, and communities, to create a comprehensive strategy for the future. We have built on NWF’s existing outreach support programs, the Conservation Champions and Grow More professional development workshop, as well as our leadership in applying social and behavioral science to sustainable agriculture work. In early 2023, we conducted multiple case studies to better understand issues and potential solutions for farmers and other stakeholders to improve on-the-ground support. By forging new collaborations and partnerships, we aim to create a network of shared knowledge and resources that will empower stakeholders at all levels.

Risk has always been a part of farming and ranching. While farmers and ranchers have long excelled at adapting to and managing the risks associated with production, climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of these risks. Farming practices that restore and maintain healthy soils can increase the resilience of farming systems. Agricultural resilience is the ability of farms to manage and recover from disturbances. Resilience requires diversification across farming practices, operations, and capital assets to defend against disturbances like droughts, floods, and rising input costs. What if there were climate and earth-friendly ways to support this resiliency using soil health practices? This report highlights the importance of understanding current soil health management science, reducing barriers to practice adoption, and enhancing farmer-supportive policy.