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Evaluating Women Managing Farmland Programs

Madeline Schultz and Lisa Scarbrough

Summary

Women landowners have significant and increasing roles in Iowa agriculture. The 2022 Iowa Farmland Ownership and Tenure Survey shows 46 percent of all acres and 51 percent of all leased acres in Iowa are owned by women. They make important decisions that impact long-term agricultural sustainability. Over the past four years, the project team conducted a base survey of women landowners. Using those 358 responses, the team offered 12 local small group programs, 9 webinars and news articles, 3 conference sessions, and 4 regional one-day forums. The goals of the educational programs were to respond to women’s interests in three interwoven farm management tasks: 1) use of equitable leases to increase conservation and land access to beginning farmers, 2) adoption of soil and water conservation practices, and 3) implementation of efficient plans to transition farmland to next generation owners. To assess producer impacts and future educational needs of the audience, the team implemented various methods of evaluation. Virtual or paper surveys after events helped assess knowledge gains. To learn more about practices implemented, broader societal changes, and audience needs, the team conducted virtual, and in-person focus groups as well as individual interviews. When ISU Extension and Outreach empowers women landowners and managers with greater knowledge and confidence, they can be effective change agents for improved farmland leasing and access, adoption of conservation practices, and more efficient land transition to next-generation farmers. This presentation provides a brief overview of the project and focuses on producer impacts and future programming.

Details

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