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Conservation Agronomist Pilot Project
The Franklin County Conservation District was honored when the National Association of Conservation Districts and Land O’ Lakes approached us about serving as the recipient of a national pilot project grant to enhance public/private sustainability efforts. We were able to hire Kaitlin Gibbons as our conservation agronomist in November 2019 to promote the pilot project.
Kaitlin is working with producers and private sector agronomists to help both better understand best management practices and conservation programs. The Land O' Lakes Truterra platform is used as a benchmark tool for identifying resources concerns and potential best management practices to address the concerns and ultimately result in more profitability and sustainability for local producers. The conservation agronomist will work with local NRCS staff on the conservation planning process to help prepare interested procurers for EQIP/CSP and other potential funding source applications and contracts.
Through Ottawa Cooperative Associations partnership with the Truterra program Kaitlin splits time between the Conservation District office and at the Ottawa Coop. While at Coop Kaitlin is working to familiarize producers with the TruTerra program and how some of the farming practices they are using, or considering implementing, may fit into addressing resource concerns under USDA Farm Bill programs for additional financial assistance.
We are excited to have this opportunity with TruTerra, Land O’ Lakes; National Association of Conservation Districts; Kansas NRCS; and Ottawa Coop to bring this program to local producers. Visit truterraag.com or contact Kaitlin at 785-241-7207 or via email at frco.agronomist@gmail.com to schedule an appointment to learn more and begin the conservation planning process on your farm today!
Kaitlin is working with producers and private sector agronomists to help both better understand best management practices and conservation programs. The Land O' Lakes Truterra platform is used as a benchmark tool for identifying resources concerns and potential best management practices to address the concerns and ultimately result in more profitability and sustainability for local producers. The conservation agronomist will work with local NRCS staff on the conservation planning process to help prepare interested procurers for EQIP/CSP and other potential funding source applications and contracts.
Through Ottawa Cooperative Associations partnership with the Truterra program Kaitlin splits time between the Conservation District office and at the Ottawa Coop. While at Coop Kaitlin is working to familiarize producers with the TruTerra program and how some of the farming practices they are using, or considering implementing, may fit into addressing resource concerns under USDA Farm Bill programs for additional financial assistance.
We are excited to have this opportunity with TruTerra, Land O’ Lakes; National Association of Conservation Districts; Kansas NRCS; and Ottawa Coop to bring this program to local producers. Visit truterraag.com or contact Kaitlin at 785-241-7207 or via email at frco.agronomist@gmail.com to schedule an appointment to learn more and begin the conservation planning process on your farm today!
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Our conservation agronomist project was recently featured in "The Resource" spring edition of the National Association of Conservation Districts quarterly newsletter. The full article can be read on page 11 of 16 here.
