Resources
Topline Takeaways – Lafayette County Focus Groups
Topline Takeaways – Wayne County Focus Groups
Conservation Practice Focus Groups
To better understand institutional, economic, and technical networks that shape conservation practice adoption, we conducted focus groups in Wayne County, Ohio and Lafayette County, Missouri. We spoke with members of three stakeholder groups that influence the adoption of conservation agriculture: farmers, public-sector professionals, and private-sector agricultural professionals (including agronomists, crop consultants, lenders, equipment dealers, and conservation service providers). The participants identified opportunities and barriers related to conservation practices, government programs, local markets, technical assistance, and changing climatic conditions.
2025 Survey
To assess whether putting farmers in the lead can move the needle on farmer use of conservation practices, we conducted a stratified random sample mail survey of farmers in Missouri and Ohio in the spring of 2025. The baseline survey asked a wide range of questions about farm management practices and farm operation characteristics that will be used to track changes over time. A total of 579 farmers responded. Read about the results of the survey in our Highlights Report and Technical Report.
