The Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative: A Model Approach for Conservation Technology Transfer.

The Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (CCSI) is a partnership between numerous organizations in Indiana all working toward improving soil health and soil productivity. Its goal is to carry out farm scale agronomic and economic research on soil health and educate farmers and those who interact with farmers on the benefits of soil health and conservation agricultural practices. To carry out these goals CCSI created four regional hubs in the four quadrants of Indiana and each led by delegates from the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Purdue Extension, and Watershed Groups. Delegates assist with data collection at the 17 CCSI research sites; identify, promote and support soil health educational events; and act as liaisons between CCSI and their home agency.   Since its inception, CCSI partners have taken over 3800 samples in replicated strip trials with over 148 strips and conducted over 200 educational events with audiences totaling over 7,000 farmers and agriculture professionals.  Through the assembly of a network of conservation minded farmers and technical experts, CCSI is addressing the challenges facing widespread adoption of conservation agricultural practices.