Max Benning is a Master’s student in the Natural Resources Science and Management graduate program. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Northern Arizona University, where he focused his studies on the human dimensions of natural resources through undergraduate research into farmer perceptions of pest management and wildfire social science. Max is interested in agroforestry, sustainable agriculture for natural resource conservation and economic resiliency, and landowner engagement.
Max’s thesis research aims to identify the environmental, economic, and social factors that facilitate or inhibit the adoption of agroforestry systems by Midwestern farmers and ranchers. Through interviews and a large-scale survey, he attempts to understand the barriers to the adoption of agroforestry for Midwestern farmers, despite agroforestry’s ability to increase farm revenue, diversify income, improve soil quality, and sequester high levels of carbon. This project focuses heavily on outreach with farmers and natural resource professionals (Extension personnel, USDA NRCS staff, etc.) by providing workshops and Extension publications to remove the barriers to agroforestry adoption in the region. Max has been awarded funding for his thesis work from a USDA SARE Graduate Student Grant. Through CINRAM, he is partnering with the University of Minnesota Extension, the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota, and the US Forest Service National Agroforestry Center on his research.
Max joined CINRAM in September 2022. While in school, Max also works part-time as a Policy and Planning Intern for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In his free time, Max enjoys hiking, camping, and backpacking.
