When the STARs align: Partnership and program development stories from state level Saving Tomorrow's Agriculture Resources (STAR) Affiliates

Breakout session Tuesday, February 11 at 1:30 p.m.

Explore the value of STAR's adaptable framework in aligning state partners & amplifying conservation efforts using a locally led, science-based approach to evaluating & guiding practice adoption.

Speaker: Jake Deutmeyer, STAR: Saving Tomorrow's Agriculture Resources

1. When the STARs Align: Stories from our state-level Affiliates     Katie Ottmann           Jake Deutmeyer             Natalie Kerr  AgVIP Program Manager      National STAR Program Director       Illinois STAR Coordinator

2. 2 Dennis Carney Iowa Absentee Landowner Gary Musson Illinois Wheat Grower Past Utah AgVIP Participants

3. About the STAR Tool A simple, FREE  conservation evaluation tool developed for famers, by farmers For any farmer , on any field, regardless of experience with conservation practices Uses an independent (not industry led) science approach to conservation. State-specific and designed with l ocally-relevant research on natural resource concerns. Vetted by local science and conservation experts . 3

4. 4 Step 1: Enter Fields Step 2: Complete Forms Step 3: Review Rating Step 4: Create Plan

5. Then Who: 2017, Champaign County SWCD, Illinois Farmers Steve Stierwalt and Joe Rothermel – started a grassroots movement, by farmers for farmers. Catalyst: Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Goal: Give neighbors a roadmap to get started with conservation Simple, free, voluntary, farmer-led, scientifically sound, locally relevant Now 7 years, going strong! All 97 Illinois SWCDs use STAR Affiliate Orgs: CCSWCD and Illinois Department of Agriculture Involved from the beginning Many other original partners still on committees 5 Origins of STAR

6. Birth of National STAR 2023- Launch of 501(c)(3) All-Affiliate call Coordination and stability 6

7. 7 National STAR A standardized approach across STAR in the US Support for STAR Affiliates and Navigators STAR Navigators Local Technical Assistance providers Producer Reward Partners Landowners L enders Producer Reward Payment sponsors STAR Affiliates State leaders and stakeholders State STAR Steering Committee State STAR Science Committee STAR Structure

8. Evolution of STAR in Utah  2025 - Launching in Utah as part of an expansion of the current Agricultural Voluntary Incentive Program ( AgVIP ) Provides an opportunity to reward producers for more comprehensive implementation of nutrient management, holistic approaches to management, and to answer the question of "what's next?" Tiered incentive approach with sign-on and improvement bonuses to promote increased adoption of conservation and to assist producers in identifying next steps Will allow us to eventually expand assistance to all types of farmers/ranchers 8

9. Value of STAR in Illinois $ to producers while streamlining program verification Illinois Department of Agriculture - Partners-For-Conservation Cost-Share program Siemer Milling Company Producer Reward Payment Program Efficiently increase conservation accessibility Equip and train conservation practitioners with powerful tool Illinois Soil Health Bill – Evaluation Tool Score Report and CIP – Curiosity, Communication, Planning, Action 9 Siemer Milling Co. PRPP Payment Structure

10. Value of STAR in Utah  Sufficently flexible framework to address unique resource concerns and fit within our current program structure Provides opportunity to reward improved management Easily connects producers with additional financial & technical resources Allows us to better connect current UDAF programs and other partners 10

11. Looking Forward in Illinois CY25 Launch Conservation Innovation Plan feature Streamline verification Data-driven program development In-depth analysis of 2023 and 2024 aggregated data Practice trends, priority regions, predictors of conservation success Training opportunities STAR Navigators and "STAR Ready" Micro-credential Diversifying field forms Urban Ag, Specialty and organic crops Rewarding Producers IDOA PFC Cost-Share Siemer Milling Company PRPP Producer-led watershed groups, networks, stories 11

12. Looking Forward in Utah Finalizing program structure Developing application and field forms for crop and pasture Planning to open application period late-spring/early-summer 2025 First round of producers will be enrolled in summer 2025 Plans to expand in 2025-2026 to include range and specialty crop systems 12

13. 13 Colorado : Launch of 2024 forms and grazing form Washington : Launch of 2025 forms Looking Forward for National STAR Iowa: Launch of 2025 form Missouri: Launch of 2025 form New Mexico: Launch of 2025 form Indiana: Launch of 2025 form Idaho : Launch of 2026 form Opportunity for development in WY, MT, OH

14. Questions? [email protected]   [email protected] [email protected] 14