The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is involved in a multi-state effort to help farmers in the Midwest and Mid-South implement conservation agriculture practices. 

In partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension and Mississippi State University Extension Service, the UK Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is focusing on two programs aimed at enhancing soil health and water quality while maintaining farm profitability by facilitating farmer-to-farmer learning.  

The first program is Good Idea Shop Talks, a free virtual meet-up series geared toward row crop and livestock producers. The aim is to foster idea exchanges and problem-solving for on-farm soil and water conservation challenges. Scheduled Jan. 18 and 25, and Feb. 1 at 12:30 ET, this offers farmers a platform to learn from each other about effective stewardship and profitability.  

“The Shop Talks are a chance for farmers to talk to other farmers about how they use conservation on their farms, and to troubleshoot issues that might be preventing them from using certain practices,” said co-organizer Amanda Gumbert, UK CES extension water quality specialist.  

For more information and registration, visit https://goodideafarm.org/shop-talks.  

The second program is Good Idea Mini-Grants, which invites farmers to partner with a farm advisor to propose and implement a low-cost edge-of-field conservation practice. These practices, crucial for reducing erosion and nutrient loss, include various solutions from vegetated buffers to restored wetlands.  

“The mini-grants are a way for a farmer to work alongside an ag advisor to try something new on the farm without much risk,” Gumbert said. “We’re hoping that the incentive helps remove some of the financial burden that might prevent using a valuable practice, while encouraging small steps toward long-term shifts on the farm.” 

Participants are encouraged to create educational content based on their experiences to share with the farming community. Grants up to $8,000 will be awarded; the application deadline is Jan. 22.  

Visit https://www.reach.msstate.edu/grant-application.php for further details. 

Funding from The Foundation for Food and Agriculture (FFAR) and Walton Family Foundation is supporting these opportunities. The opportunities are programs of One Good Idea, an online platform that aims to facilitate farmer-to-farmer learning and promote the adoption of conservation practices across the Mississippi River Basin states. Learn more at https://goodideafarm.org/. 

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The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.