designing a program with moving environmental targets

Designing a Program with Moving Environmental Targets

and a Changing Agricultural Landscape

Jacqui Empson Laporte, Environmental Specialist Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Christine Schmalz, Environmental Programs Coordinator Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

Typical Program Design

Issue Identified

Communications Strategy

Delivery Staff trained

Education/ Outreach

Interested farms

participate

Farms identify priorities

Monetary Funding or Technical Assistance

Implementation

Agency updated on results

Changing Agricultural Landscape #1

Are there factors that explain why some farmers convert conservation lands to agricultural

production while some farmers establish conservation lands?

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Study Findings

•  Farmers with larger properties tend to exhibit more conservation oriented behaviour

•  Farmers that have owned their land for a longer period of time tend to be more conservation oriented

•  Older farmers are more conservation oriented than younger farmers

•  Farmers with higher debt loads tend to be less conservation oriented than farmers with lower debt load

05/21/2014 CO Webinar 5

Changing Agricultural Landscape #2 -‐ Case Study – Large Farm Operators

Results •  4 Conversations in February/March 2014

–  35 000 acres –  2000+ nutrient units worth of livestock –  Gross revenue over $100 million per year –  Associated businesses = abbatoir, mill, trucking

•  Need an “in” –  important to identify partners with an existing relationship

•  Business confidentiality key –  No demonstration sites, tours

•  Industry challenges seen as competitive opportunities •  Government not seen as reliable, timely, or professional resource

–  Prefer paid professionals –  Need tailored, specific advice when THEY want it –  Program designs and timing don’t match their needs

Learning Opportunities •  Dispelling “rural myths”

–  “Large farm operators aren’t family farms” –  “Landowners care about land more than renters”

•  Business opportunities or disasters? –  PEDv, humane euthanasia, gestational crates

•  Skeptical view of government assistance programs –  Too slow, market interference, changes timing for decision

making •  Next generation’s role on farm is dependent on special skills or

aptitude –  Focus on livestock, crops, business, etc

•  Needs and priorities are different –  IT assistance –  Human Resources –  Public relations

Uzea, Nicoletta, and Sparling, David. Investment and Growth on Canadian Farm 2001-‐ 2009. http://sites.ivey.ca/agri-‐food/files/2013/03/Farm-‐Capital-‐Investment-‐and-‐Growth-‐2001-‐2009.pdf March, 2013.

Uzea, Nicoletta, and Sparling, David. Investment and Growth on Canadian Farm 2001-‐ 2009. http://sites.ivey.ca/agri-‐food/files/2013/03/Farm-‐Capital-‐Investment-‐and-‐Growth-‐2001-‐2009.pdf March, 2013.

What are Canadian farmers buying? “In aggregate, farmers love machinery, while environmental investments remain relatively low and unchanging (Figure 1). Large farms invested more in farm machinery and equipment, farm real estate, and stocks, bonds and other financial assets, while small and medium farms invested proportionately more in house construction and environmental protection. As a result, large farms will likely enjoy increased productivity and competitiveness, which will mean more incentives and resources to invest in the farm. In contrast, the productivity and competitiveness of small farms will likely continue to erode.” (p. 5)


Impressions on Species at Risk OSCIA Survey on on-‐farm impressions on Species at Risk in Ontario.

OSCIA 2013-2014 Survey Results��

“If I found a Species at Risk on my property, I would:”��


“Have you had any direct experiences with Species at Risk on your land?”��


“The public is unaware of how Species at Risk affect farming operations ”��


“Considering all environmental priorities on your farm, how do you prioritize species at risk projects?”��

What does it all mean??

•  Target audiences for conservation programs –  Socio-‐economic factors in program design

•  Recognize competition for dollars from key spending areas such as equipment –  Program design must account for priorities and consider messaging

•  Variety of services and programs to appeal to different priorities

•  Focus marketing/promotion efforts based on the distribution of conservation ethic

•  Need innovative program designs

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designing a program with moving environmental targets

Environment

risk oscia survey

farm impressions

farm machinery

younger farmers farmers

canadian farmers

environmental priorities

large farms

conservation lands