STAR for Producers

STAR recognizes that farmers are ranchers have limited time to juggle the many items on their to-do list. STAR was created by producers for producers, so we know that adding conservation to the checklist also needs to add value for the operation and fit into your decision-making process.

Designed to be simple and easy, the free, confidential STAR Tool provides a quick assessment of conservation progress on individual fields by generating a 1-to-5 STAR rating, with options to order a STAR field sign, connect with a STAR Navigator for individual technical assistance, and explore resources and programs, including a variety of incentives.

Producers may be at different stages in their understanding and adoption of conservation and may have different motivations for continuing or changing practices or taking the next steps along the way. STAR’s customized approach supports all types of producers – no matter where you are on your conservation journey.

• Access the STAR WebTool, a simple, fast, free, and voluntary tool to evaluate field level conservation progress for addressing local natural resource concerns.
• Customize your Conservation Innovation Plan (CIP) to identify next steps for practice adoption and to explore available educational and technical support resources, and programs that support implementation.
• Through STAR’s curated resources, learn more about how conservation can provide benefits to your operation, your bottom line, and your field’s long-term resiliency.
• Connect with your local STAR Navigator to receive individual technical assistance and guidance on your CIP.
• Order STAR field signs to share progress with neighbors and community.
• Demonstrate progress to your landowner to ensure continued access to land or solicit landowner buy in on conservation adoption.
• Share your conservation progress with your lender to demonstrate land stewardship and highlight production resiliency.
• Navigate Reward payment program options offered through STAR or through opportunities in external incentive programs – use the CIP to find the program that is right for your field.
• Access other resource programs such as equipment access or in-field testing, and potential opportunities for product branding.
• Be confident in the credibility and science behind STAR. STAR Affiliates are state-level partners aligned with STAR’s strategies for increasing conservation adoption. STAR Affiliates recognize, inspire, guide and reward agricultural producers for conservation practice adoption and implementation at scale. STAR Affiliate Science Committees conduct a thorough science assessment of local resource concerns, research backed conservation practice prioritization, balanced with the consideration of producer perspectives and practical experience.

Although Jake Stricklin lived on his family farm for much of his life, he has only actively managed the farm since 2016. At that time, he moved to his current location and now farms 450 acres of corn and soybeans in Illinois. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the LaSalle County Soil and Water Conservation District. Over the past few years, Jake has steadily implemented conservation practices on all his farm acres and is now helping other farmers throughout the county plant cover crops, highlighting opportunities for reduced tillage, and advising farmers based on his experiences. Jake participates in both STAR and in the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund.

Read about his experiences with both programs.

Northeastern CO small grains farmer, Roy Pfaltzgraff has fields in Haxtun where he has planted 15 different crops over the last 15 years. Diversity is the emphasis on his operation. Roy is using STAR to understand operation in context of climate smart agriculture and to publicly share his progress. Roy has several 5 STAR fields and has used his STAR sign at the local farmers markets to promote his gluten-free pancake, cookie, and brownie mixes.

“I would recommend STAR to my neighbors and to non-neighbors alike; and even to my worst enemy. I think STAR is vital for what’s coming down the pike in terms of climate consequences for agriculture. STAR gives farmers the opportunity to be proactive and make changes and choices in how they improve.”