Introduction

It’s a story I’ve heard for years, and one that has in many ways shaped the course of my career. “You can’t manage what you can’t measure, but measuring outcomes in regenerative ranching/farming is really hard”. This narrative calls for improved data collection and monitoring protocols, yet here we are, still wondering what the right metrics are, who should own the data, and who should be managing the data collection/processing process.

In the realm of climate-smart agriculture and conservation programs, the burden of collecting, reporting, and making sense of ranch and farm data to help stakeholders and producers manage is brought up over and over again as a major barrier to project success. I’ve been working on a climate smart grant for 10 months now and have developed some thoughts around data management in the producer + conservation program paradigm.

The Burden of Data Collection on Farmers and Ranchers

Traditionally, the responsibility of data collection has heavily fallen on the shoulders of farmers and ranchers. This process is not only tedious but also time-consuming, diverting their attention from their primary activities. A significant change is necessary where program advisors or consultants take an active role in data collection. These professionals should work collaboratively with producers, employing user-friendly methods and technologies to streamline the process. This collaborative approach not only eases the burden on farmers but also ensures accuracy and reliability in the data collected.

Beyond Conventional Data Boundaries

Land ownership data layers (such as Regrid or those available through OnX maps) and farm/ranch field boundaries (such as Common Land Unit Data) often don’t map to the management units that the farm or ranch manager is using to manage the property(s). In contrast, management maps, which include details such as leased land, custom farm acres, subdivided pastures, infrastructure, etc. provide a more accurate representation of the land for management purposes, but might not easily integrate with the data needed at the reporting layer. There is a clear distinction between spatial and map data useful for Monitoring, Reporting, Verification and Validation (MRVV) purposes and those necessary for on-ground management decisions. Aligning these two types of data is crucial for effective conservation and resource management. At Celium Group, we are constantly working with clients to strike the right balance between these two geospatial data layers.

Diverse Data Requirements Across Agencies and Programs

Each agency, program, or conservation protocol demands specific sets of data, leading to a tendency to collect as much information as possible from producers. This approach, while comprehensive, places a significant burden on early adopters who often find themselves overwhelmed with data entry and collaboration with multiple partners. Moreover, the lack of a unified strategy for data utilization means that the efforts and resources invested in data collection do not always translate into tangible benefits for the producers or the programs.

Aligning Producer and Agency Data Interests

There is often a disconnect between the data that is valuable to producers and what conservation organizations and agencies deem important. For producers, data that directly translates to improved management practices and increased efficiency is crucial. In contrast, agencies and organizations often prioritize data that aligns with broader conservation goals and compliance requirements. Bridging this gap requires a concerted effort to identify and focus on common data interests that serve both operational efficiency and conservation objectives.

Conclusion

The challenges of data collection in climate-smart agriculture and conservation are multifaceted, stemming from historical practices, diverse requirements, and misaligned interests. Addressing these issues necessitates a collaborative, producer-centric approach that values the practical needs of those on the ground while meeting the strategic objectives of conservation programs. By rethinking data collection and usage strategies, we can pave the way for more effective and sustainable agricultural practices that align with broader environmental conservation goals.

At Celium Group, we help companies, agencies, and NGOs work through messy and complicated agricultural data and software strategies and have the inhouse development team to bring those strategies to life. Reach out to our team today to learn more.