Agricultural Pilots Project
Center Contribution: The Center followed a process of initial consultation with a sample of leaders from across the farming and environmental communities, as well as tribal and governmental representatives. Based on initial feedback, the Center then expanded its outreach to over 200 affected and knowledgeable constituencies, which will be able to project applicants for developing a full project proposal. After this initial phase, the Policy Consensus Center drafted a preliminary report in January 2006, which described how a project might be crafted that addressed a number of problems faced by the rural communities and natural resources of our state.Since the draft report was released in early 2006, the Governor’s office has asked the Policy Consensus Center to provide staff support for the potential implementation of the project. A budget proviso provided funding for ongoing efforts of the Center's staff to assist the Oversight Committee.
Impact and Implications: Outreach and consultation efforts by the Center's staff during the course of developing a recommendation for this program have revealed a level of interest and excitement that cannot be understated. Many in the agricultural and environmental communities now seem eager to roll up their sleeves and work together to preserve the heritage and economic value of agriculture and the environment in this state.The Agricultural Pilots Project offers an opportunity to translate innovative ideas into reality by testing promising new approaches and evaluating their feasibility and effectiveness. It provides a venue for those with on-the-ground knowledge to apply their imagination, problem solving skills and commitment to agriculture and the environment, to work collaboratively to find solutions. It promotes the possibility of forming lasting partnerships and forums for joint fact finding, which can continue to address ever changing challenges and pressures in the agricultural sector and for the environment. The Agricultural Pilots Project offers new opportunities for using data and locally generated knowledge in future policy development.