Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Engaging Women Landowners in Conservation

The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place Dec. 7 at noon CST will feature Wendong Zhang, assistant professor, Dyson School of Applied Economics, Cornell University. Zhang conducts research and extension programs regarding the U.S. farmland market, agricultural water quality initiatives and Chinese agricultural practices. His survey of women landowners in Iowa provides numerous insights into conservation practice priorities among a group owning nearly half of the farmland in Iowa.

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

In the webinar, "What Women Landowners Want to Know about Conservation," Zhang will draw on the responses to a 2021 survey to illustrate which conservation topics owner-operator and absentee landowners care about. He will also share the findings regarding preferences for how, where and when to receive educational programming on conservation topics. In additional, Zhang will discuss the underrepresentation and under participation of women landowners in extension programming and agricultural data collection, and the impact that missing this influential group can have on the implementation of conservation practices.

"We have found that different approaches to outreach and education of landowners are necessary to meet the needs and preferences that are somewhat dependent on age and whether a landowner operates the farm or not," said Zhang. "For all landowners, and most particularly for women landowners, our survey results indicate that the best approach is a mixed-mode, which encompasses newsletters, e-newsletters, webinars and in-person educational meetings offered at a variety of times."

Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CST Dec. 7:

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. All archived webinars are available on the ILF website, so that they can be watched at any time.

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