Farmer led change - olmstead

Farmer‐Led Change andThe Wisconsin Farmer‐Led Watershed Council Project

Julia OlmsteadJuly 25, 2016

A HEALTHY AND RESILIENT MISSISSIPPI RIVER

REDUCED N, P, AND SEDIMENT

SUPPLY CHAINS

STATE AND FEDERAL POLICY

CULTURE

WI CRP Reductions as 

of 2012

St. Croix County: 

34,579 acres

Pierce County: 

22,474 acres

• How do we create long‐term changes in agriculture that improve water quality? 

• Do we have to pay farmers to get them to change? 

• What happens when corn prices go up (or down)? 

• Is more regulation the solution?

• Why won’t farmers do what we want them to do?

Farmer‐Led Watershed Project Team

• UW‐Extension• Wisconsin DNR• Land Conservation Departments of Dunn, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix Counties

• Wisconsin Farmers Union

Wisconsin Farmer‐Led Watershed Project

Process:1. Organize farmers into watershed‐based 

leadership councils2. Learn together about water quality impairments 

and on‐field solutions3. Develop farmer leadership by giving them 

decision‐making power and through farmer‐farmer teaching and learning

Wisconsin Farmer‐Led Watershed Project

• 4 watersheds, one in each of 4 counties

file:///.file/id=6571367.195549

Wisconsin Farmer‐Led Watershed Project

Process:1. Organize farmers into watershed‐based leadership 

councils2. Learn together about water quality impairments 

and on‐field solutions3. Develop farmer leadership by giving them 

decision‐making power and through farmer‐farmer teaching and learning

Soil Sampling

Sampling Dry Run Creek Stream bank and bed

Cost‐sharing or paying outright for field soil samples

Monitoring

5 Edge‐of‐field monitors,

locations picked by farmers

Wisconsin Farmer‐Led Watershed Project

Process:1. Organize farmers into watershed‐based leadership 

councils2. Learn together about water quality impairments 

and on‐field solutions3. Develop farmer leadership by giving them 

decision‐making power and through farmer‐farmer teaching and learning

“We are a group of farmers…

INSIGHT #1

Not all watersheds are primed for success.

1. Scale2. Geography3. Earlier or existing models in watershed

Water quality per se isn’t the most effective motivator. 

St. Croix County, June 2014

INSIGHT #2

Climate Change Seminar, September 2014

INSIGHT #3

Monetary incentives less important than we thought.

Horse Creek WatershedMarch 10, 2016

INSIGHT #4

Early leadership development/establishment is critical.

INSIGHT #5

Farmers value this project, but quantitative results can be elusive.

Thank you!

Julia Olmstead

McKnight Foundation710 South 2nd Street, Suite 400

Minneapolis, MN 55401

jolmstead@mcknight.org612‐333‐4220