The social networks of manureshed management

TitleThe social networks of manureshed management
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsMeredith GRhiannon, Spiegal S., Kleinman PJA, R. Harmel D
JournalJournal of Environmental Quality
Date Published02/09/2022
ARIS Log Number388493
Keywordsmanureshed management, NGO, non-governmental organization, social networks
Abstract

Manureshed management—the strategic use of manure nutrients that prioritizes recycling between livestock systems and cropping systems—provides a comprehensive framework for sustainable nutrient management that necessitates the collaboration of many actors. Understanding the social dimensions of collaboration is critical to implement the strategic and technological requirements of functional manuresheds. To improve this understanding, we identified aspirational networks of actors involved in manureshed management across local, regional, and national scales, principally in the United States, elucidating key relationships and highlighting the breadth of interactions essential to successful manureshed management. We concluded that, although the social networks vary with scale, the involvement of a common core set of actors and relationships appears to be universal to the successful integration of modern livestock and crop production systems necessary for functional manuresheds. Our analysis also reveals that, in addition to agricultural producers, local actors in extension and advisory services and private and public sectors ensure optimal outcomes at all scales. For manureshed management to successfully integrate crop and livestock production and sustainably manage manure nutrient resources at each scale, the full complement of actors identified in these social networks is critical to generate innovation and ensure collaboration continuity.

URLfiles/bibliography/21-061.pdf
DOI10.1002/jeq2.20334