Stakeholder perceptions of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative agricultural incentives

Session: Beyond the Edge of the Field: Mitigating the Impacts of Nutrient Pollution on HABs (1)

Adam Fix, Ohio State University, [email protected]
Laura Young, Michigan State University, [email protected]

Abstract

The agricultural community of the Great Lakes Basin has received over $100 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) for projects and programs that fall within the GLRI’s Focus Area 3: “Nonpoint Source Pollution Impacts on Nearshore Health.” These investments are intended to increase the adoption of agricultural conservation practices, influence on-farm decision making in the short and long term, and ultimately improve water quality. This presentation evaluates the effectiveness of these investments in terms of their ability to increase the adoption of conservation practices, create lasting cultural changes among farmers, and expand the capacity of local agencies and organizations to administer programs and projects that advance GLRI Focus Area 3 goals in priority watersheds.

This project collected and analyzed qualitative data via eight focus groups with farmers and 29 in-depth interviews with program managers of institutions that have received GLRI funding in four priority watersheds. This presentation summarizes the research team’s analysis and provides reflections on ways to improve future investments in terms of both the ways that institutions distribute and utilize GLRI funds and engage with on-farm decision makers.