New Virtual Platform Allows Farmers To Help Farmers

 One Good Idea allows farmers across the nation to learn from one another.

 Photo by Matt Barton, UK Ag Communications

JORDAN STRICKLER

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

   The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is joining other land-grant institutions to bring a new online platform to assist farmers in improving their on-farm practices. In conjunction with Mississippi State University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Arkansas and University of Illinois, the platform allows farmers to access and submit videos and podcasts aimed at getting started and having success with soil health and regenerative practices.

   One Good Idea was created to increase farmer-to-farmer learning about methods to improve soil, land and finances. Topics cover an array of subjects such as cover crops, conservation tillage, rotational grazing and nutrient management.

   “One Good Idea is a great spot for farmers to learn from other farmers about what has worked or hasn’t, as well as benefits from certain practices,” said Amanda Gumbert, UK extension specialist for water quality. “Farmers are generally less hesitant to try practices recommended by other farmers. We don’t really interfere. We just step back and let the farmers do the talking. We want to make it easier for farmers to connect and learn from each other.”

   One Good Idea accepts video or idea submissions from farmers or organizations eager to share how they implement soil health and regenerative methods on their operations to assist other farmers considering similar practices. These submissions are then verified by extension professionals to ensure validity before posting to the website.

   “This new platform is laid out where you can find information based on specific crops and location,” Gumbert said. “So, for instance, you can narrow down videos and podcasts to those specifically about topics such as forages or soybeans or vegetables. There is also a search bar where farmers can type in the subject they are hoping to learn more about. You can also pull recommendations and advice from farmers only from certain states, so producers can specifically see what is working in their area.”

   To further promote idea sharing among producers, One Good Idea is running a social media campaign with the hashtag #WhatsYourGoodIdea on Facebook and Twitter. Gumbert is encouraging farmers and agriculture industry professionals, such as extension agents, farm advisors and conservation professionals, to participate.

   Those wishing to learn more about the program can visit http://www.goodideafarm.org .

   One Good Idea is a project of SERA-46, a committee that includes the land-grant universities involved in the project and is focused on research and extension to improve water quality in the Mississippi River Basin and shrink the Hypoxic Zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency made One Good Idea possible.

   This project is funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement number 00D87719 to Jennifer Seifert at MSU. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the EPA endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned in this document. ∆

   JORDAN STRICKLER: University of Kentucky