America’s Conservation Ag Movement is invested in farmer-led learning communities because we believe that peer groups provide a platform for farmers to be heard and for ideas to be shared and considered in a way that is unique, meaningful and lasting. ACAM and its Conservation Stewards have hosted dozens of events in 2022, and our most recent in Indianola, Neb., was another engaging meeting with about 15 farmers and participation from Nebraska NRCS, the Middle Republican (River) Natural Resource District and the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board. Conservation farming is critical in western Nebraska because farmers must be creative and efficient to safeguard their soils and utilize every drop of water at their disposal. Without close management of soil erosion and water, farms there just aren’t viable. These farmers are implementing practices at a scale that I’ve heard other farmers say couldn’t be done: Cover crops with about 20 inches of rain per year? Check. Livestock back on the property? Check, plus an added revenue stream from local ranchers. Crop rotation that includes forage crops like grain sorghum? Check. Restored grasslands on non-productive acres? Check. If these practices help to make large farms in some of the most challenging environments in the country viable, then there is little doubt that they can benefit farmers everywhere. ACAM Conservation Steward Tracy Zink hosted the event, and her opening remarks detailed how a farmer’s mindset must evolve to consider new ways to run an operation that has agronomic, financial and resource benefits in the long run. When conventional agriculture says something can’t be done, Zink says, “Why not?” Why not try a new seed variety or entirely new crop in a test plot for possible rotation? Why not experiment with covers? Why not increase organic matter to improve absorption and keep soils in place after an inevitable deluge? One thing that’s clear is technical support must be readily available to farmers for their practice changes, even if they start small. With every step a farmer takes, there should be a vendor, advisor, extension specialist or another farmer who helps to validate practices for a specific operation. In our lead story, Arkansas farmer Lawrence Conyer talks about how his interaction with NRCS started him on his conservation journey that eventually earned him recognition as a Model Farm. His journey continues now with him as a mentor and leader of his own farmer learning community as an ACAM Conservation Steward. Are you a farmer interested in participating in a peer group about conservation? Contact me at dfrabotta@farmjournal.com to share your conservation practices and the mindset that got you there or tell me how you're starting your conservation journey. Why not? Enjoy,
David Frabotta
Manager, Climate-Smart Interactive Programming, Trust In Food™ | 