BIG 3 INITIATIVES
Applying behavioral insights and experimental designs to improve programs related
to agriculture and the environment.
1. Building the evidence for financial and technical assistance
Many agri-environmental programs provide both financial assistance, like cost-share payments, and technical assistance, such as conservation planning.
2. Building the evidence for conservation practices
Agri-environmental programs frequently provide landowners with short-term financial payments and technical support which are believed to induce long-term changes in conservation practices.
3. Building the evidence for environmental and economic benefits of input efficiency
Farming inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides, can cause environmental and health impacts to both those who use them and those who live downstream or downwind of their use.
2022 VIRTUAL SEMINAR SERIES
Reducing Agricultural Water Pollution
Speaker: Dr. David Pannell
Monday, January 31, 2022 at 9:00 AM
Behavioral Science
Insights from the behavioral sciences are revolutionizing the way government programs are designed and delivered, and we are bringing this revolution to agri-environmental programs. A “test, learn, adapt” strategy helps programs be their best, achieve greater levels of program participation and satisfaction, and achieve improved environmental outcomes, all while reducing costs.
READ MOREEnhancing the Evidence Base
To create evidence-based programs, CBEAR has been conducting randomized field experiments across the US. We’ve highlighted the zip codes where CBEAR field experiments have generated evidence that can make agri-environmental programs more cost-effective.
READ MORECBEAR OBJECTIVES
To make agri-environmental programs perform better, CBEAR aims to accomplish four objectives:
1
Develop Evidence-Based Policy
Coordinate with program administrators, policy makers and other decision makers to incorporate behavioral insights and experimental designs into emerging and existing agri-environmental programs. By plugging directly into these programs, CBEAR identifies how applications of behavioral science can be used to improve agri-environmental programs.
2
Conduct Behavioral Economics Research
To expand the evidence base for agri-environmental policy, CBEAR conducts lab and field experiments to test hypotheses from the behavioral sciences. These experiments include randomized controlled trials embedded within USDA and partner programs.
3
Expand the Research Base
CBEAR expands and enhances the human capital of scholars and practitioners for generating high-quality evidence about improving agricultural programs. CBEAR also trains young scholars in this emerging field.
4
Disseminate Research
the insights that it and other researchers develop and shares this information with program administrators, policy makers and the media.
CBEAR Fellows Virtual Seminar Series
Visit our YouTube page to watch talks from our experts.
NEWS & INNOVATIONS
FPAC Training
CBEAR created a training course that synthesizes the latest scientific knowledge about human behavior for the USDA Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) staff.
Increasing Support
NACD contributions provide districts with representation at the national level. Despite these collective benefits, not every district contributes the suggested annual contribution amount, and many do not contribute at all.
Halting the Hogs
UD research highlights the importance of community coordination when combatting spread of destructive feral hogs.
Leadership & Partners
PAUL J. FERRARO
Co-Director
KENT MESSER
Co-Director
MARK MASTERS
Director of Outreach
Postdoctoral Researchers & Fellows
at top research and land-grant colleges and institutions
LEARN MORE