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Private Sector Conservation Planning

Agronomy Doctor

Agronomy Doctor

August 4, 2017 //  by Tom Buman

Six months ago, I went to the doctor for a check-up.  The doctor was blunt.  He told me I need to eat more fruits and vegetables, and exercise more. And most disturbing to me, he told me to lose weight!  At the time, I wasn’t very thrilled with his advice.  But I listened.  Since then, I started exercising a little more.  I stopped eating between meals (for the most part).  And best of all, I have lost 15 pounds. What if doctors failed to initiate difficult discussions or offer advice?  What if doctors withheld information fearing their …

Category: Private Sector Conservation Planning

The Greatest Generation

March 28, 2017 //  by Tom Buman

It was an extraordinary time to be a new employee of the Soil Conservation Service in 1982. The field offices were staffed and trained with a new crop of conservationists. It is this generation who I consider to be the greatest generation of soil and water conservationists. The individuals hired by the agency in the years 1970–1980 were special. They were people like my supervisor, Warren Johnson; a farm kid with a deep respect for agriculture and a passion for conservation.  Warren knew how to listen to farmers and how to talk …

Category: Private Sector Conservation Planning

Conversation Starter

June 30, 2016 //  by Tom Buman

“Hey, what are you going to do differently to help improve water quality?”Some discussions about conservation are naturally hard to start.  Educated as an agronomist, I did not have formal training in conservation.  I remember, as a young NRCS employee, being fearful that I would start out on the wrong foot or offend a farmer - long before I could get to the main point of my visit. On the other hand, sometimes the situation lent itself to an easy conversation. And those times were golden - when the problem was obvious and the approach was …

Category: Private Sector Conservation Planning

Voluntary Conservation Solutions

May 20, 2016 //  by Tom Buman

On May 17, I had the privilege of testifying, in Washington D.C., to the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.  Members heard from two panels of witnesses. The first panel examined the impact and cost of regulations on producers.  The second panel focused on voluntary conservation solutions to natural resource concerns.As a member of the solutions panel, I was invited to talk about our innovative approach to increase technical assistance accessibility through the private sector (see video below). I was also …

Category: Private Sector Conservation PlanningTag: Voluntary Conservation

Top 5 Reasons Why Ag Retailers Need to Lead the Way…

April 29, 2016 //  by Tom Buman

Smack dab in the middle of Iowa, you will find Casey’s General Store headquarters.  For those of you who have stopped at a Casey’s General Store, you realize this is one of the great businesses in the Midwest.  Whether you are looking for gas, a slice of pizza, clean restrooms, or just a great cup of coffee, Casey’s is your place.  After starting with one location, Casey’s General Store now has over 1,900 stores across a 14 state area.  So why is Casey’s so successful?  It is because Casey’s has everything a traveler needs, whether it is for a …

Category: Private Sector Conservation PlanningTag: Ag Retailers

Barriers to Private Sector Conservation Planning

March 3, 2016 //  by Tom Buman

Today’s blog is written by Joe Lally, Independent Ag Consultant from Denison, Iowa.  Last year, Lally retired from working for more than 12 years at Iowa State University. Previously, he worked for nearly 30 years as an Environmental and Natural Resources Manager for Farmland Foods. In retirement, Lally continues to find ways to be involved with helping the field of agriculture.Yes, ag retailers must actively encourage and assist farmers with soil and water conservation issues.  That is a must.  And the conservation community must help ag …

Category: Private Sector Conservation Planning

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