Selectively Treated Seed Farmer Trial Consultant

Introduction 

Today, most corn and soybeans, as well as many other commodity crops, are routinely coated with a combination of pesticides, including neonicotinoids. This approach of coating seeds is intended to provide a more targeted approach to pesticide application. Unfortunately, with neonicotinoid pesticides (“neonics”), neither the application method via seed coating nor the pesticide itself have proven to be selective and unharmful to non-targeted species like pollinators and songbirds. On average, only 2-5% of the neonic coating stays with the seed, with the majority of the dusting becoming windborne, leaching into the soil and water, harming beneficial insects, wildlife, and people.  Unintended consequences aside, the yield benefits of neonic treatments on the estimated 100 million acres of corn and soybeans currently in production across the US today are negligible. Outside of the limited situations in which their use is agronomically justified, studies have shown that their use may even decrease yield by harming beneficial insects that keep pests at bay. Due to the dominance of treated seeds in the marketplace, it can be challenging for farmers to obtain seeds without neonic treatment. Even when non-treated seeds are available, farmers may be hesitant to use them due to existing crop insurance incentives and pesticide company messaging that promote neonic-treated seeds. 

WWF is looking for a consultant to join a 3-year cross-cutting pollinator project, working with farmers on field trials to evaluate the benefits of growing crops with seeds that have not been treated with neonic pesticides, to compare against their fields grown with conventionally treated seeds. 

Deliverables 

• Outreach to farmers and recruitment for the field trials (eight to ten per year for three years) 

• Organization of field trials including coordination and communication with farmers 

• Provide technical assistance to producers for the duration of the field trials 

• Desk research and interviews with producers and seed companies on the availability and process of obtaining untreated seeds  

• Collect yield data from producers on conventional and neonic-free fields and data on the availability and process for obtaining untreated seeds  

• Organize and host Farmer Field Days at each field trial site per year to communicate results of the field trials to producers in the geographic region 

• Draft a case study report on the findings of these field trials including one round of review and revisions 

Desired Qualifications  

• Strong understanding of U.S. row crop agriculture and the challenges U.S. producers face 

• Existing network of contacts and positive working relationships with producers 

• Experience running field trials and providing technical assistance to producers  

• Excellent communication and facilitation skills to manage producer engagement and farmer field days 

• Ability to make science and technical concepts accessible for general audience 

• Experience working with NGOs and conservation organizations preferred but not required 

To Apply 

Interested candidates should submit proposals to Taryn Skinner taryn.skinner@wwfus.org  by September 30, 2024. Proposals must include proposed approach, detailed budget, CVs, examples of relevant experience, and description of relevant expertise for those who will undertake the work as well as their assigned roles and responsibilities in this consultancy. Proposals should not exceed 4 pages in length, excluding CVs.