The Technical Assistance Accelerator for Conservation is taking a fresh look at the TA “system” to identify successful TA models and strategies to meet future demand – both in terms of numbers of producers reached and the subject matter and skills covered.
Our Approach
Farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners (producers) of all types and sizes rely on technical assistance (TA) to adopt and expand conservation practices, improve the resilience of their operations, and ensure long-term profitability. TA includes the full range of activities related to supporting producers in planning and implementing conservation practices, such as subject-matter expertise, data collection and management, technology assessment and adoption, and collaboration. Producers access TA at local, state, and national levels and from a variety of providers, including federal agencies such as the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), non-profit organizations, private businesses, community organizations, and peer networks.
This project takes a fresh look at the TA “system,” which includes a broad network of people who carry out conservation on working lands by engaging and partnering with producers. The TA system currently faces challenges including an undersupply of qualified TA providers, shortfalls in common TA delivery methods, and lagging adoption of new tools.
This work, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), is led by Meridian with advice and counsel from a national-level Advisory Committee. Meridian is conducting qualitative assessments to understand the current landscape of TA providers and identify successful models and strategies that can address some of the system’s current challenges. The core pillars of this project include:
Baseline Data Collection
Baseline Data Collection
This includes a literature review, mapping the current TA system, surveys, and interviews with TA providers and producers.
Production Systems-based and Regional Workshops
Production Systems-based and Regional Workshops
Meridian will convene TA providers and producers to test the findings, develop policy and practice recommendations, and identify potential pilot projects.
National-level Synthesis
National-level Synthesis
Meridian will convene a national-level Advisory Committee to advise on data collection, review findings, guide workshop planning, assist with recommendations & more.
What is technical assistance?
We define technical assistance for conservation as the full range of activities related to providing assistance to producers to help them plan and implement conservation practices. For example, in addition to being knowledgeable about soil health, nutrient management, livestock, habitat restoration, and water management, TA providers may also bring skills in data collection and management, technology assessment and adoption, and collaboration (e.g., facilitating peer networks). These are just some of the skills that may be needed by TA providers in the coming decades. This broader understanding of TA is informed by Meridian’s work with the AGree Coalition, especially policy recommendations that have emerged from AGree’s Technical Assistance Working Group.
Landscape Report and Synthesis
This landscape report, commissioned by Meridian Institute, provides a comprehensive view of the US technical assistance for conservation system. It synthesizes existing research and identifies key trends and challenges. While this report attempts to take an inclusive view of the of the system, it is important to acknowledge that the technical assistance system is always evolving.