On-site Data Collection

NRI Grazing Land

Ideas for Landowner Permission

Some states have provided helpful hints for obtaining landowner permissions.

Promoting the survey work

  • NH: Include the survey in your regional newsletter. Peter Whitcomb's article, “Soils, Pastures, and the NRI,” appears on the left side of the newsletter and explains how the data may be beneficial to landowners.
  • MN: "Put an article in Beef Magazine or something that is widely looked at by landowners."
  • TX: "Let the statewide and local media know what counties are being inventoried. With a little sunlight, even the corporate interests might be more amenable given the emphasis on 'being greener.'"
  • Use social media to promote the survey
  • TX: "Nothing beats a 15 or 30 second spot on the local radio (to keep their license, all broadcasters have to broadcast Public Service Announcements)"
  • TX: Make sure that the intent of the survey is clarified. Some common misunderstandings may include:
    • It is not an attempt to assess value of the property
    • It is not an attempt to usurp local government
    • It is not going to ‘pin’ anything on the landowner
    • It is not going to disrupt grazing or upset birthing
    • It is not a way for the feds to assess tax or monitor income
    • It is not a way for the landowner privacy to be violated by targeted marketing, scammers, ne'er-do-wells, and flim-flam artists
  • Use your state grazing coalitions to help

Contacting Landowners

  • AR: "A great source of information can be the conservation district, as well as FSA and their county committees. Many of them know the history the land in their counties. If you have a good working relationship with them, they are often willing to help."
  • MN: "FSA has cell numbers, and we have cell numbers in Field Office Toolkit. Invite the landowner to participate in the survey."

When Sending Letters

  • Include self-addressed return envelopes when mailing requests for access permission
  • Ask for a phone number
  • Hand address the envelopes
  • GA: "Use the letter as the last resort. It gets very poor response. I get the field office to contact the landowner and document it on a modified On-Site Study Permission Record from the handbook appendix."