Out of research conducted as part of a USDA organic farming grant came the Healthy Farm Index, a University of Nebraska Extension publication, by two School of Natural Resources professors emeritus and four others.
The Healthy Farm Index includes bird observations in a multi-factor assessment meant to help farmers monitor and improve the long-term health of their farm. The index is broken into four categories: production, protection, biodiversity and family.
“Birds are includes as a measure because their associations with various habitats and insect foods reflect farm health in a variety of ways,” the publication states. “They also are colorful, visible and fairly easy to monitor by observing and listening for them in the various habitats on a farm.”
The publication includes a section on how to survey farm birds. Although developed on organic farms, the concepts apply to most farms and could be adapted to ranches or other lands.
Co-authors on the publication were James Brandle, recently retired SNR emeritus shelterbelt ecologist; Ron Johnson, former SNR professor emeritus; John Quinn, assistant professor of biology at Furman University; Charles Shaprio, Extension soil specialist with the department of agronomy and horticulture; Elizabeth Sarno, former Extension educator and Organic Project coordinator; and Twyla Hansen, former Organic Project assistant.
Download the publication here: http://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/9000016369664/the-healthy-farm-index/
-- Natural Resources
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/reho