Researching the effectiveness of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative agricultural incentive programs

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

Callia Tellez, The Ohio State University, [email protected]
Robyn Wilson, Ohio State University, [email protected]

Abstract

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has invested $100 million in farmer incentive programs and efforts to increase conservation practices that benefit water quality. Incentives work to offset short-term costs associated with conservation practices, and/or gaps in understanding that may also serve as a barrier. To evaluate the effectiveness of such targeted investments, we examine the relevant socio-psychological factors that influence farmer decisions about conservation adoption and the effectiveness of GLRI programs. We conducted a mixed mode survey of 3500 farmers in four EPA priority watersheds in winter 2019: the Genesee in New York, Saginaw Bay in Michigan, the Lower Fox in Wisconsin, and the Maumee in western Lake Erie. We gathered information on the attitudes and beliefs of target populations toward two common GLRI funded practices, cover crops and filter strips. Additionally, we explored farmer beliefs about incentive program structure and participation. Analysis of the variation in practice adoption and program participation across the four priority watersheds identifies how future GLRI investments could be targeted to place-specific motivations and constraints and how to better engage farmers through improved program structure. We expect that results will point toward broader investments in water quality programs in the Great Lakes region.