Precision Conservation Management (PCM) is a farmer-service program for applying financial business principles to conservation practices. This program was founded by Illinois Corn Growers Association in 2016. It is a public-private partnership, representing more than 30 agricultural associations, conservation groups, and state and federal agencies.
The goal of PCM is to help farmers integrate conservation into the everyday management of commodity crop operations by improving their understanding of the risks of adopting conservation practices. Precision Conservation Management’s founding mission is to use farmer data to serve farmers’ interests with a specific emphasis on conservation adoption.
The program’s participants create their profile using the Farmer Portal, a web interface that quickly, accurately, and securely collects data to create a field-by-field inventory of detailed agronomic management practices. After creating farm profiles, PCM specialists work one-on-one with participating farmers, offering them a privately-funded incentive to develop a Resource Analysis and Assessment Plan (RAAP) specifically for their farm.
These plans assess sustainability strengths and weaknesses for each farm operation on a field-by field basis and identify natural resource concerns. Using RAAPs, PCM specialists guide cooperators through NRCS program options and other local opportunities to obtain financial and/or technical assistance for conservation practice adoption.
Precision Conservation Management approaches conservation from the perspective of the Midwest farmer—striving to protect business interests while implementing conservation practices that benefit the environment and local communities.
