Join Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) for a conservation webinar taking place May 17 at noon CDT featuring Seth Harden, Upper Wabash River project director, The Nature Conservancy. Harden leads the Upper Wabash River Project for The Nature Conservancy in Indiana. He regularly speaks with farmers to help support The Nature Conservancy’s objectives to discover conservation solutions that realize mutual farm profitability and positive environmental outcomes.

In the webinar, “Conservation Adoption: The Role of the Trusted Adviser,” Harden will discuss the top influencers that can affect conservation practice adoption. Drawing on data and outcomes from research conducted by The Nature Conservancy and the Purdue University Center for Food and Agribusiness, as well as paired qualitative research with ag retailers and their customers, and quantitative research via the Large Commercial Producer survey, Harden will highlight opportunities for ag retailers to facilitate conservation practice adoption. He will also introduce a business model decision support tool that can aid retailers in considering integration of conservation systems into their customer relationships.

“Research clearly indicates that farmers are seeking information about conservation practices from their trusted advisers and that ag retailers are poised to deliver this sort of information IF the customer requests it directly,” said Harden. “Providing retailers with the tools and support enabling them to assume a leadership role in furthering conservation adoption while also improving business outcomes through additional customer touchpoints, added services and profitable supply chain collaboration.”

Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172