Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Informing Conservation Practice Decisions with Data-Driven ACPF Platform

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Ames, Iowa – The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place May 18 at noon CDT will feature Emily Zimmerman, assistant professor, department of natural resource ecology and management & global resource systems, department of horticulture, Iowa State University. Zimmerman’s research focuses on the innovative application of geospatial data and tools to identify opportunities to improve agricultural conservation practice outcomes to enhance environmental benefits as well as estimating related economic outcomes. Through her work with models such as the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF), a non-prescriptive analysis and planning tool in use throughout the U.S. Corn Belt, she enables stakeholders to assess practice implications in their decision-making processes.

Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.

In the webinar, “The Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF): Applications and Recent Updates to Enhance Conservation Planning,” Zimmerman will highlight the ACPF as an innovative tool in use by producers and landowners, as well as local, state, and federal stakeholders, to apply science and data to agricultural conservation planning at field and small watershed scales. She will also cover how ACPF utilizes publicly available, high-resolution geospatial data, to identify opportunities for in-field, edge-of-field, and downstream conservation practices to address soil and water quality needs. In addition, Zimmerman will discuss recent ACPF innovations which examine economic costs and environmental outcomes associated with each scenario suggested by the platform.

“The ACPF is a powerful tool which can offer innovative insights regarding where conservation practice implementations can deliver the most environmental and economic benefits,” said Zimmerman. “This publicly accessible and cost-free planning tool provides conservation planners, landowners and farmers, and other stakeholders with a menu of potential practices tailored to the field or area of interest. This approach provides options and facilitates conversations about conservation practices that can help all parties balance decisions based on both the potential economic and environmental outcomes.”

Participants in Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinars are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

Webinar Access Instructions

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CDT May 18: Click this URL, or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172 Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 364 284 172

Or, join from a dial-in phone line:

Dial: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 364 284 172

The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available at: https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars. 

A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU) has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live webinar.

Upcoming Webinars in the Series:
5/25: Santanu Bakshi and Chumki Banik, Iowa State University
6/1: Lindsey Hartfiel, Iowa State University
6/8: Peter Kyveryga, Iowa State University
6/15: Matt Rurak, University of Wisconsin-Madison

For more information, please contact: Liz Ripley 515.294.5429