Overview
Better information is critical to better farm management. Without good information, it is very difficult to manage agricultural resources such as nitrogen and phosphorus for economic viability and environmental sustainability. This is especially true for farmers facing important water quality challenges combined with ever escalating nitrogen and fuel costs on the farm. In addition to enabling and fostering improved environmental viability and profitability, better farm management data collection and analysis enables farmers to assess and verify their performance, which will give them better access to emerging marketplace initiatives, such as nutrient and carbon trading, niche marketing, and other ecosystem service payment opportunities.
The goal of the Bay Farms On Farm Network is advance two critical components to driving improved farm-level performance: 1) access to and education on the use of effective, affordable tools and strategies to assess and verify on-farm environmental and economic performance and 2) coordination of data collection, analysis, and feedback to farmers using these tools at the individual farm level and in aggregate across multiple farms in a geographic region. This exciting new direction for nutrient management is the innovation of the Iowa Soybean Association, which has been implementing adaptive management through an approach called the On-Farm Network with growing success since 2001 (see www.isafarmnet.com).
Through the On-Farm Network, farmers use data from their own farms and others in their area to evaluate the effectiveness and economic pros and cons of different management practices, such as nutrient application rates, timing, and form. Farmers not only evaluate the effectiveness of different practices on their own farm, but benefit from aggregate data across multiple farms and years. The end result is farmer-driven adaptive management in real time – farmers gathering and making beneficial changes based on data from their own fields and those of others. The farmers are in the driver’s seat, which significantly increases buy in to the results and willingness to make long-term changes. Key tools include the cornstalk nitrate test (CSNT), aerial imagery, and replicated strip trials.
In 2009, the Bay Farms On-Farm Network included 180 farmers who collectively manage 120,000 acres.
Bay Farms On-Farm Network Brochure
The Bay Farms On-Farm Network is generously supported by:
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (funding provided byEPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program)
For more information about the Bay Farms On-Farm Network, contact Suzy Friedman, Regional Director for the Chesapeake Bay at EDF, at 202-492-1023 or sfriedman@edf.org.
Farmers and farm advisors — to get involved, contact Chris Sigmund of TeamAg Inc.
Partners
Iowa Soybean Association: The Iowa Soybean Association has been conducting action-oriented programs for many years, applying education, research and partnership to help farmers succeed agronomically, economically and environmentally. ISA, under the leadership of Dr. Tracy Blackmer, launched the On-Farm Network in Iowa in 2001. Tracy is an advisor to the On-Farm Network efforts in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Environmental Defense Fund: EDF is a national non-profit conservation organization with a strategic focus on advancing water quality goals in the Chesapeake Bay through policy and on-the-ground projects. EDF’s approach focuses on science, economics, and partnerships, seeking to advance real solutions through collaboration with key partners, especially farmers, farm organizations, farm advisors, and others directly involved in working with farmers on the ground. Suzy Friedman, Regional Director for the Chesapeake Bay at EDF, has been directing the Bay Farms Program since 2004.
University of Connecticut: Dr. Tom Morris, Associate Professor of Plant Science, University of Connecticut is a national leader in N use efficiency and the development of methods to reduce environmental problems associated with crop production. Tom will direct the on-farm nutrient use efficiency efforts in Pennsylvania and assist with efforts in other states. In addition to Tom, Walter Smith, a PhD student at UConn and former NRCS Water Quality Coordinator in CT, has extensive experience in conservation, social ecology, and farmer participatory conservation decision-making. In his PhD work, Walter will document the adaptive management process and the results of the Bay Farms program, as well as facilitating grower meetings, helping support the Bay Farms’ Farmer Board, and contributing to overall program strategy.
Penn State University and Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension: Dr. Doug Beegle, Professor of Agronomy at PSU, is a leading researcher and advisor on nutrient use efficiency in Pennsylvania. Doug provides technical guidance and advice to the Bay Farms team. Jeff Graybill, Agronomy Extension Educator with Lancaster County Cooperative Extension, is leading N rate trials at the PSU Landisville Research Station in collaboration with the Bay Farms On-Farm Network.
TeamAg Inc: TeamAg Inc is highly regarded for its expert work in agriculture consulting and works with an extensive farmer client base in the region. TeamAg Inc has played a lead role as on-the-ground coordinator of technical work and farmer participation. Chris Sigmund, President of TeamAg Inc, coordinates the network’s technical work in Pennsylvania and provides critical input to project development.
Chester County Conservation District: CCCD coordinates the Bay Farms On-Farm Network in Chester County. Chris Stromaier, Manager of CCCD, oversees outreach and technical assistance in Chester County.
Virginia Grains Producers Association (VGPA): VGPA represents Virginia’s corn producers and small grains growers. Molly Pugh: Executive Director of VGPA, and Christina Hyre, Communications Director for VGPA, provide farmer direction and leadership for the On-Farm Network in Virginia.
Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension: Dr. Wade Thomason is Extension Grains Specialist/Assistant Professor with Virginia Tech, a leader in the state and region on crop and nutrient management. Wade provides technical leadership for the On-Farm Network in Virginia and Virginia Cooperative Extension agents help coordinate the on-farm nutrient use efficiency technical work in Virginia. Bobby Clark, Virginia Cooperative Extension agent in the Shenandoah Valley, has been implementing a nutrient use efficiency initiative with growers in counties in the northern part of the Valley for a number of years and became involved in the On-Farm Network in 2008.
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation: DCR became interested in the On-Farm Network and adaptive management approach in 2008 and is supporting expansion of the program in the Shenandoah Valley. Russ Perkinson, Asst. Director of Nonpoint Source Programs, provides project guidance and coordinates the involvement of local VA DCR staff, who will provide outreach and technical assistance especially related to Nutrient Management Plans.