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    Start Over Subject Term farmers Subject Term interpersonal communication Subject Term water conservation

    1. Improving on-farm water use efficiency: role of collective action in irrigation management

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Chaudhry, Anita M. (author)
    Format:
    Journal article
    Publication Date:
    2018
    Published:
    International
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 144 Document Number: D11550
    Journal Title:
    Water Resources and Economics
    Journal Title Details:
    22 :4-18
    Notes:
    15 pages., Online via UI e-subscription., Data from Pakistan prompt the author to suggest that underlying community characteristics and/or social interactions may be driving both the performance of water user associations and on-farm water use efficiency.

    2. Understanding barriers and opportunities for adoption of conservation practices on rented farmland in the US

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Ranjan, Pranay (author), Wardroppe, Chloe B. (author), Eanes, Francis R. (author), Reddy, Sheila M. W. (author), Harden, Seth C. (author), Masuda, Yuta J. (author), and Prokopy, Linda S. (author)
    Format:
    Online journal article
    Publication Date:
    2019-01
    Published:
    USA: Science Direct
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 8 Document Number: D10297
    Journal Title:
    Land Use Policy
    Journal Title Details:
    80 : 214-223
    Notes:
    10 pages., Via online journal., Agricultural conservation programs often focus on farm operators when promoting conservation practices. However, much of U.S. farmland is owned by landowners not directly involved in farm operations. Rental arrangements on these lands can dis-incentivize the adoption of conservation practices that could improve soil health, water quality, and land values. To date, agricultural conservation policy has largely ignored the role of non-operating landowners (NOLs) and rental arrangements. We help improve the evidence-base for policy by identifying barriers to adoption of conservation practices on rented farmlands. Analysis of forty interviews with NOLs, operators, farm managers and university extension personnel in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana revealed five categories of barriers: cash rent lease terms, rental market dynamics, information deficits/asymmetries, cognitive/interpersonal, and financial motivations. Some barriers, such as risk aversion and farm aesthetics were expressed by both NOLs and operators, while other barriers, such as status quo bias and annual renewal of leases were only expressed by NOLs and operators, respectively. To overcome barriers to conservation, interviewees recommended improving communication between NOLs and operators and modifying cash rent lease terms in order to build in flexibility for equitable sharing of risks and rewards. Agricultural conservation programs could readily apply these results—possibly working with intermediaries (e.g., farm managers, lawyers)—to offer communication and lease tools and assistance to NOLS and operators. Future research should evaluate the efficacy of these conservation interventions and how intermediaries affect the balance of power between NOLs and operators.