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American Society of Agronomy (ASA) – Mainstreaming Cover Crops: training opportunities for crop consultants (CCAs) and extension educators. Background – outputs, 2016 and 2017. Form an advisory committee – fall of 2015 Members – educators, CCAs, farmers, staff
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American Society of Agronomy (ASA) – Mainstreaming Cover Crops: training opportunities for crop consultants (CCAs) and extension educators.
Background – outputs, 2016 and 2017 • Form an advisory committee – fall of 2015 • Members – educators, CCAs, farmers, staff • Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) - partner • Develop and deliver 3 webinars – February 2016 (general) • Measure impact - surveys • Develop and deliver 3 webinars – February 2017 (more details) • Corresponding 3 in-person meetings – IL, MO, WI • Watch the webinar as a group and discuss it after, have local speakers • Supporting materials – webinars are recorded and archived, PPt slides can be accessed and adapted for location use
Audiences and Impact • Regional Focus: North Central USA • Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs): 13,180 nationally, ~60% (~8,000) • Primary influence to grower’s practices • Webinars: fully sponsored, free to participants • 2014 – 3 webinars, averaged 500-600 • 2016 – 3 webinars, averaged 1,400+ • Goals: 2,500 CCAs, CPAgs, CPSS; 1,000 members ASA, CSSA, SSSA; and 500 farmers • Measurements • Surveys after webinars and later in year
2016 - First 3 webinars • Feb 4 – Managing for Cover Crops: don’t forget agronomic basics • Attendance – 1,414 • Feb 11 – So, why do you want to grow cover crops? • 1,497 • Feb 19 – Show me the Monday! Can cover crops pay? • 1,657 • Preliminary Survey Data: • 96% rated content as - somewhat or very valuable
Future Collaboration • ASA and SSSA – online education development and delivery system • CCAs – need continuing education, 40 hours every two years • Influence – 13,000+ sales team • Relationship – farmers’ trusted business partner • Thank you! • Luther Smith, CAE • lsmith@sciencesocieties.org 608-268-4977