RCWP developed a strong fertilizer testing and
meetings were held to inform the community about
the RCWP before the Prairie Rose Lake project ap
management program, along with pest scouting.
Both components resulted in a significant decrease
was submitted. This strategy of early com-
in the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
munity involvement helped the project to a strong
start. Delaware producers also participated in the
Participation. Water quality improve-
selection of and planning for the Appoquinimink
ments depend on changes in farm operators'
River RCWP project, again contributing to a success-
tudes, knowledge, and BMP implementation.
ful effort with strong producer participation. The
_
and Wimberley (1992) surveyed eligible participants
River RCWP
Massachusetts, on
and nonparticipants from the 21 RCWP project
the other hand, would have benefited from advanced
areas. Their findings on the farm operators' water
information and education programming (as well as
quality awareness, need for more information, at-
water quality monitoring for baseline data collection)
titudes about water quality problems, adoption of
to address and resolve conflicting views on the
and participation in RCWP and other
source of the water quality problem and the validity
programs provide significant information on ways to
of the approach being recommended in the RCWP
improve education and participation in water quality
project.
the short answer
programs. In addition, results
Informational and educational efforts are take
questionnaire (Coffey and
1992) show that
part in stages that change over time. Initially, the
cost-share funding was a key incentive to participa-
team seeks to develop general awareness of the
tion.
water quality problem and support for the project
Other important factors affecting producer par-
through mass media and public educational
ticipation in RCWP projects included:
programs. Then,
seeks to increase farm
operators' knowledge about
source control
strong leadership within the farm community
and improve their agricultural management skills
(as demonstrated in Iowa and Oregon),
through educational programs and one-on-one con-
consensus within the farm community and the
tact. Ultimately,
works to modify behavior by
general public on the source of water quality
promoting the adoption of
for improved
problems and the importance of water resour-
management of agricultural chemicals, conservation
ces (for example, the high value placed on
of irrigation water, use of animal wastes, and conser-
local recreational lakes by the Iowa and
vation of soil.
Delaware farmers in their projects' critical
message was received and imple-
areas),
mented differently by the RCWP projects. For ex-
the threat of regulation if the sources of pollu-
ample, in Vermont, the efforts of the local Extension
tion were not voluntarily reduced (as in the
Service office were essential in informing producers
Taylor Creek-Nubbin Slough project in
and convincing them to participate in the RCWP In
Florida),
Tennessee, every farmer received at least one (and
economic penalties for producers who did not
sometimes three) personal visit from an
team
participate (as in the Oregon RCWP project
member to encourage participation. In Florida, field
where producers received lower milk prices
days, demonstration sites, and tours were the most
from the local cheese cooperative if they were
effective methods for promoting land treatment and
not implementing
and
presenting accomplishments in the RCWP project.
producer perception that
implemented
Where fertilizer management and pesticide
to reach the project goals would also benefit
management are important parts of the BMP pro-
the farming operation (as in Alabama).
gram, the
staff assists with soil sampling or pest
scouting and provides tailored recommendations to
Producer participation also came about through
other means. Concern for stewardship of the land
project participants. The
program develops or
encouraged many Pennsylvania farmers to par-
strengthens existing commodity associations to sup
ticipate (many implemented
but refused
port integrated pest management and other special-
share funding). In Vermont, a long-standing
ized programs.
commitment to keep the community clean was the
Extension Service can also initiate other
impetus for participation.
programs to improve water quality. A good example
is the Pennsylvania RCWP project. There the Exten-
Land Treatment The
and Water Conserva-
sion office set up an animal waste trading exchange
tion District (SWCD) participates on the local coor-
to enable farmers who wanted animal manure to find
dinating committee, prepares applications, and
farmers who had excess manure. The Nebraska
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