By Blake Jackson
Building resilience in food and farming systems begins on working farms, where conservation practices can improve soil health, protect water quality, and sustain productivity.
A new peer-reviewed study led by Ife Familusi, corresponding author and research associate in Kentucky State University’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, found that while many Kentucky farmers adopt an initial conservation practice, far fewer expand into integrated systems that combine multiple approaches.
The research surveyed 101 farmers across 25 Kentucky counties and found that 46.5% had implemented at least one conservation practice. Common strategies included crop rotation, cover crops, and nutrient management.
However, adoption of multiple, coordinated practices was significantly less common, even though conservation systems tend to be most effective when practices work together rather than in isolation.
“We found farmers in Logan, Madison, and Scott counties using up to nine different conservation practices,” Familusi said. “Meanwhile, most counties report just one or two. That gap tells us something important about how information flows regarding these practices across the state.”
The study distinguishes between starting conservation and expanding it. Farmers already using precision agriculture or irrigation, as well as those with college degrees or off-farm income, were more likely to begin conservation efforts. However, those factors did not necessarily predict whether they would continue adding new practices over time.
Dr. Buddhi Gyawali, who launched the statewide survey with USDA support, emphasized the importance of ongoing information.
“Farmers adopting multiple conservation practices are not just attending one workshop or reading one magazine,” Dr. Gyawali said. “They’re combining Extension advice with consultant recommendations, peer conversations, and media coverage. That repeated exposure from multiple angles is what builds confidence to keep adding practices.”
Dr. Suraj Upadhaya assistant professor of sustainable systems said, “Many conservation programs focus on getting farmers to adopt a first practice, but our findings show the larger challenge is helping them build momentum beyond that initial step.”
The researchers recommend demonstration farms, stronger peer networks, and sustained outreach to help farmers continue building comprehensive conservation systems.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Education