Abstract
The on-farm performance-based environmental management approach gives farmers direct feedback (using agronomic indicators) that help them evaluate how their daily management practices affect local water quality. The approach encourages flexible and adaptive management at the farm level. A council of local farmers in Iowa’s Hewitt Creek watershed has modeled a resident-led performance incentive program that has reduced pollutant loading and improved soil and water quality. Interviews with council members document the individual and group social processes that changed farmers’ knowledge and actions.
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References
Wilson, Paul F. and Richard D. Pearson. 1995. Performance-based Assessments: External, Internal, and Self-Assessment Tools for Total Quality Management. Milwaukee, WI: ASQC Quality Press.
Wilson, Paul F. and Richard D. Pearson. 1995. Performance-based Assessments: External, Internal, and Self-Assessment Tools for Total Quality Management. Milwaukee, WI: ASQC Quality Press, p. 4.
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Data from the Hewitt Creek Watershed group farmer interviews were collected in 2005 by Annette Bitto and 2008 by Jean McGuire. Transcripts were audiorecorded, transcribed, coded, reconciled, and analyzed by the research team Lois Wright Morton, Annette Bitto, and Jean McGuire. Farmer and extension staff interviews are identified by number and date. This quote is from Farmer #2 who was interviewed in 2005.
Farmer #4, 2005.
One key to the success of this project was the commitment and knowledge the ISU Extension agronomists John Rodecap and Chad Ingels. Rather than assuming “expert” roles, they were willing to experiment and work alongside the farmers, letting local knowledge and readiness to learn guide when to share their scientific and technological information with the group and one-on-one.
Dennison, William C., Todd R. Lookingbill, Tim J. B. Carruthers, Jane M. Hawkey, and Shawn L. Carter. 2007. “An Eye-opening Approach to Developing and Communicating Integrated Environmental Assessments.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 5(6):307–314, p. 307.
Farmer #9, 2008.
Wilson, Paul F. and Richard D. Pearson. 1995. Performance-based Assessments: External, Internal, and Self-Assessment Tools for Total Quality Management. Milwaukee, WI: ASQC Quality Press, p. 6.
Farmer #3, 2005.
Farmer #7, 2005.
Farmer #4, 2008.
Farmer #8, 2008.
Farmer #5, 2008.
Farmer #3, 2008.
Farmer #2, 2008.
Farmer #7, 2008.
Wilson and Pearson 1995.
Farmer #6, 2005.
Farmer #2, 2008.
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Morton, L.W., McGuire, J. (2011). Getting to Performance-Based Outcomes at the Watershed Level. In: Wright Morton, L., Brown, S. (eds) Pathways for Getting to Better Water Quality: The Citizen Effect. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7282-8_15
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7282-8_15
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