Grazing management concepts can be hard for learners to grasp in a classroom setting. A grazing demonstration plot is a useful field tool that Extension professionals can implement to visually illustrate how various grazing regimes affect grass health and yields. Specifically, the educator can show how forage harvest timing, frequency, and…

Landscape-scale conservation planning performed in a systematic and transparent manner is becoming more common as it is increasingly evident that ecological processes are being affected at large spatial scales. The Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative undertook a 15-state landscape conservation planning project, resulting in a landscape…

We revised the Oregon State University (OSU) Woodland Stick to aid master woodland manager volunteers in advising their peers on land management decisions. The Woodland Stick has been used as an educational and measurement tool by OSU and other university Extension programs for many years, but little information is known about its impact. We…

The Multi-County New Landowners Educational Series is an Extension education program offered in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, and Washington Counties in Texas. We sent an online survey to past participants of the program (those who participated between 2006 and 2010; N = 162). Findings revealed significant adoption of several best management…

To assist Extension professionals working in Texas's Little River Watershed with efforts to educate landowners about reducing amounts of bacteria there, we assessed motivations for and barriers to landowners' adopting best management practices (BMPs). We surveyed 275 landowners in the watershed. Respondents were at least somewhat familiar with…

The response by agriculture/natural resources and community development Extension educators to shale development in Ohio has been proactive. There is a need, however, to understand the impact that shale development is having broadly on families and communities and specifically as it relates to lease payments and the perceptions and realities of…

Forestland management depends on assessing changes that occur over time. Long-term photo point monitoring is a low-cost method for documenting these changes. Using forestry as an example, this article highlights the idea that long-term photo point monitoring can be used to improve many types of land management decision making. Guidance on…

In an era of increasing complexity, the majority of local land-use decisions in the United States are made by volunteer citizen planners. Often these elected or appointed volunteers enter their positions with a passion for their communities but without appropriate background training. The Michigan Citizen Planner Program was developed to address…

Access to land is a common obstacle for beginning farmers and established farmers seeking to expand their operations. Particularly in urban-influenced areas, leasing farmland is often more financially feasible than fee ownership. Locating available land or the right leasing situation, however, can be difficult. NJ Land Link (http://njlandlink.org)…

Non-industrial private forest (NIPF) landowners are often not included in discussions of emerging woody biomass markets for energy, yet they will likely be principal suppliers of the resource. Surveys administered to 475 forest landowners before and after an Extension Forestry education program in 10 counties across North Carolina indicated that…

Responses from 634 of 964 Utah farmers and ranchers showed that economic factors, availability of information, and federal farm programs were primary constraints on the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Cooperative extension should focus on specific groups of farmers to provide information about such practices. (SK)

Responses from 649 Portage County (Ohio) residents showed that 90% believed county agriculture should be preserved; most felt agriculture was a major economic contributor and the county's rural character was important; 60% disagreed that free market economics should determine land use; tax breaks for farmers were supported. Only 45% thought…

Focus groups of 147 farmers in Geauga County, Ohio, determined that the number of farms declined overall, although townships closer to Cleveland gained farms, including those with the most residential development and highest market value of farmland. Farmers in more rural areas identified urbanization problems; farmers in more urban areas…

To ensure inclusion of all parties in issues of urbanization, focus groups, consisting of farmers, environmentalists, policymakers, and the nonfarm public were held, issues were refined, and consensus was achieved. A majority thought the process worthwhile in broadening understanding of agriculture. (SK)

A Travis County (Texas) survey of 1,270 landowners received 480 responses. Most respondents expected a large decline in agricultural land use and an increase in use for endangered species and wildlife habitats. Most were interested in educational programs but were unaware of provisions of the Endangered Species Act. (SK)