Evidence-based Policy
Develop evidence-based policy relevant to voluntary Agri-Environmental Programs.
Behavioral Economics
Conduct lab and
field experiments to test hypotheses from the behavioral sciences.
Research Network
Expand and enhance the human capital of scholars and practitioners for
generating high-quality evidence about improving agricultural programs.
Disseminate Knowledge
Package the insights that CBEAR and other researchers develop and share this
information with program administrators, policy makers and the media.
Center for Behavioral & Experimental Agri-Environmental Research (CBEAR)
Why Behavioral Science?
Insights from the behavioral sciences are revolutionizing the way in which 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.
Enhancing the Evidence Base
To create evidence-based programs, CBEAR has been conducting randomized field experiments across the US. On the map below, we highlight the zip codes where CBEAR field experiments have generated evidence that can make agri-environmental programs more cost-effective.
POSTPONED: 2020 Conference on Behavioral & Experimental Agri-Environmental Research
Postponed until 2021. It is with deep regret that The Center for Behavioral and Experimental Agri-environmental Research (CBEAR) has decided to postpone the 2020 Conference on Behavioral & Experimental Agri-Environmental Research in Baltimore, Maryland, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
We will announce the rescheduled 2021 date and location when we are able to.
Questions? Contact Dr. Laura Paul
CBEAR Leadership Team
Paul Ferraro
Co-Director
pferraro@jhu.edu
Mark Masters
Outreach Director
mmasters@h2opolicycenter.org
Kent Messer
Co-Director
messer@udel.edu
Co-Headquartered at
Postdoctoral Researchers & Fellows
at top research and land-grant colleges and institutions
Latest News & Innovations
Improving NRCS’s Efforts to Sell Conservation
In a meeting between CBEAR and USDA employees from different agencies*, people had conflicting opinions about what approach would work best in a new outreach program on soil health.
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Increasing Voluntary Support for NACD
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is funded by voluntary contributions from its member Conservation Districts. These contributions are used to 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.
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CBEAR Prize for Agri-Environmental Innovation
CBEAR offers an annual prize for agri-environmental innovation to recognize leaders who incorporate and celebrate the use of behavioral insights in program designs to improve agri-environmental programs.
Read more