The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Concept: Resolving Barriers to Increased Adoption of Nutrient Stewardship Practices.

One of the more visible challenges facing agriculture is the management of nutrients.  Two key groups associated with helping farmers make nutrient stewardship decisions are local fertilizer retailers and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts.  Unfortunately, there is little information about the farmer-fertilizer retailer-conservationist relationship.  To gain a better understanding of this relationship, which is essential to fostering enduring progress using the voluntary nutrient stewardship approach, The Fertilizer Institute, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Agricultural Retailers Association, National Association of Conservation Districts, and the American Society of Agronomy – Certified Crop Advisors surveyed field-level employees of conservation districts and commercial fertilizer companies about their views on nutrient stewardship.  The primary purpose of the survey was to identify strategies to help farmers improve their adoption of “4R” nutrient stewardship practices, which focuses on applying nutrients at the Right time, the Right place, the Right rate, and from the Right source. The survey also asked respondents for their perceptions of the environmental and economic impacts of nutrient stewardship practices as well as information about perceived farmer attitudes toward the adoption of 4R nutrient stewardship.  The results of the survey are being used to develop strategies to improve partnerships related to 4R nutrient stewardship adoption as well as out-reach and educational materials that can be used by others.  The 4R Nutrient Stewardship survey report will be available at the end of May 2013.