CONSERVATION TILLAGE & TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE: EDUCATING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS
Hoorman*, J.J.1; Arnold, G.2; Bruynis, C.3; Lentz, E.4; McCluer, G.5; Prochaska, S.6; Rausch, J.7; Reeder, R8; Smith, J.9; Sundermeier, A10; Watters, H.11; Wilson, G.W.12; Young, C.131AGNR Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Celina, OH, 45822
2Putnam AGNR Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Ottawa, OH, 45875
3Wyandot AGNR Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Upper Sandusky, OH, 43351
4Seneca AGNR Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Tiffin, OH, 44883
5Hardin AGNR Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Kenton, OH, 43326
6Crawford AGNR Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Bucyrus, OH, 44820
7Union AGNR Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Marysville, OH, 43040
8Ext. Spec. FABE, Ohio State University Extension, Columbus, OH, 43210
9Auglaize AGNR Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Wapakoneta, OH, 45895
10Wood AGNR Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Bowling Green, OH, 43402
11Champaign AGNR Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Urbana, OH, 43078
12Hancock AGNR Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Findlay, OH, 45840
13Miami AGNR Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Troy, OH, 45373
Abstract:
The Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference (CTTC) started in 1984 as a one day program with 150 farmers. In 2010, 966 participants (10 states and Canada) and 35 exhibitors attended two days of concurrent educational talks (66 speakers, 9 universities) on conservation tillage, no-till, cover crops, soil and water quality (SWQ), nutrient management (NM), integrated pest management, precision agriculture (PA) and new agricultural technologies. Consultants, farmers, and agricultural dealers have the opportunity to obtain Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) credits (N=425/year). Annual surveys show that farmers valued this education program at $11 per acre ($7.2 million) while consultants, fertilizer and chemical dealers annually valued it at $16 per acre ($250 million). Based on a five point Likert scale (1=Poor, 5=Excellent), CTTC has scored over 4.34 (N=2,351 participants, Response rate = 19%, n=3 years) for educational programming and 4.65 on program cost. Knowledge gained has been tracked using a Pre- and Post-conference Likert survey (1=low knowledge gained, 5=High knowledge gained). Cover crop knowledge gained was .7 to .9 points (n=3 years), NM and manure .4 to .7 (n=3 years), CT and SWQ were .3 to .6 (n=3) and PA -0.2 to .7 (n=3). Over 32 Ohio State University Extension Educators and 10 Ohio Soil & Water Conservation District technicians assist with the program yearly. Over $30,000 in excess funds (n=3 years) have been used to conduct agricultural research ($5000 yearly grants) on conservation tillage, soil and water quality, and soil nutrient management.