Prairie Strips Professional Development Evaluation for FSA & NRCS Staff

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Abstract:

<p>Four professional development sessions were held across Iowa for Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) staff so that they would be encouraged to learn more about prairie strips and advising on CP-43 related requests from farmers and non-operating landowners (NOLs) alike. Advising was already part of staff members professional reposonsibilities. These sessions were held over a two-week period May 22nd to June 6th, 2023. Each of the four sessions was held in a quadrant region of Iowa (e.g. Northwest Iowa) and consisted of a series of topic-focused information and discussion sessions, as well as a site visit to an established prairie strip system in the field, with a farmer or landowner providing a lead for discussion. Overall, 278 FSA and NRCS staff members voluntarily attended the four sessions. Four identitical post-workshop evaluation surveys were distributed to attendees via links to Qualtrics provided by Constant Contact. The survey was designed to assess the overall impact of the sessions on attendees' attiutudes, observations, self-assessment, and change in knowledge of prairie strips and the navigation of prairie strip-related administrative requests, such as CP-43 registration and compliance. The evaluation assessed opportunities to improve prairie strips programming, including opportunities to improve prairie strips programming, including opportunities to refine future professional development training for greater accessibility, enjoyment, and relevance.</p>