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Innovation Among Nutrient Service Providers in the Midwest

DePrator, Francesca Victoria
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1525717706908821

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Lake Erie have occurred cyclically for decades, creating dead zones, fish kills, and changes in fish migration or reproduction patterns, as well as threatening potable water quality for 11 million residents in the Lake Erie watershed. The widespread effects of these HABs in Lake Erie create an urgent need to reduce nutrient inputs. One way to achieve this is modifying the nutrient management behaviors of the agricultural community. Nutrient service providers (NSPs) are agribusinesses that provide nutrient application services or products with usage recommendationsto grower clients. If NSPs can be highly engaged in innovative nutrient management practices, they may tangibly improve water quality in Lake Erie and the surrounding region. This thesis assesses the influence of social capital (partner number, diversity, and trust) on NSP involvement in the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program, a voluntary program designed to improve soil health and water quality. Partner diversity and trust have a significant impact on the likelihood of NSPs engaging in the program. This work also evaluates the success of the 4R Certification Program in engaging NSPs in innovative nutrient management in comparison to traditional diffusion agents (e.g. local, state, and federal change agents). Results indicate that the 4R Certification Program is associated with NSPs being highly innovative in their nutrient management behaviors. The efforts of the program facilitators, the Ohio AgriBusiness Association, can complement or replace some of the more traditional change agents.
Alfredo Ramiro Berardo (Advisor)
Robyn Wilson (Committee Member)
Douglas Jackson-Smith (Committee Member)
Carrie Vollmer-Sanders (Committee Member)
162 p.
Environmental Management; Environmental Science; Natural Resource Management
NSP; nutrient management; agriculture; 4R; innovation; social capital

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • DePrator, F. V. (2018). Innovation Among Nutrient Service Providers in the Midwest [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1525717706908821

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • DePrator, Francesca. Innovation Among Nutrient Service Providers in the Midwest. 2018. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1525717706908821.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • DePrator, Francesca. "Innovation Among Nutrient Service Providers in the Midwest." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1525717706908821

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1525717706908821
361
© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.