Browsing by Author "Toombs, Ted, author"
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Item Open Access Agricultural conservation networks in Iowa(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023-09) Luxton, India, author; Ellis, Elizabeth, author; Arnold, Parker, author; Shakya, Prasiddha, author; Lee, Juliet, author; Ravetta, Emilia, author; Toombs, Ted, author; Mook, Anne, author; Cross, Jeni, authorIowa's farmlands, celebrated for their remarkable agricultural productivity, are facing pressing environmental challenges, including soil erosion, waterway nitrogen pollution, and vulnerability to extreme weather events. These issues imperil the state's agricultural sector's long-term sustainability and economic stability. Despite substantial investments from governmental and non-governmental entities to encourage conservation practice use, adoption rates remain persistently low. In this report, we use quantitative, qualitative, and social network analysis on a sample of 38 farmers to understand how social networks shape their adoption of conservation practices. We analyze data through a systems framework and compare counties with high- and low-adoption of conservation practices to assess influences from the individual farmer level to the broader societal context. We conclude with a discussion of strategic implications to promote conservation adoption.Item Open Access How social networks impact agricultural land stewardship in Iowa(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Luxton, India, author; Ellis, Ellie, author; Arnold, Parker, author; Shakya, Prasiddha, author; Lee, Juliet, author; Ravetta, Emilia, author; Toombs, Ted, author; Mook, Anne, author; Cross, Jeni, authorTwo-page summary of findings of a social network study to explore conservation practices among farmers in Iowa.Item Open Access Transitioning farm bill programs to a payment for ecosystem services approach(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2009) Heimlich, Ralph E., author; Toombs, Ted, authorFarm bill programs currently provide a "pseudo-market" for conservation where a contract between the public and the government (the farm bill) is intermediated by the USDA. In this pseudo market, the USDA provides payments for management practices, which can lead to ecosystem service benefits. But, it does not currently pay directly for the ecosystem service benefits themselves. The goal of this presentation is to highlight considerations for USDA and private landowners (ranchers in particular) if USDA were to transition to a PES approach. I contrast the current system with a PES, and illustrate that significant differences might emerge in the size and character of the "markets" under each scenario. Many difficult questions would need to be addressed to determine how the profitability of a ranch would potentially be affected by a switch to a PES approach.