WisBiz Green Blog
Sustainable Ag Research Shows Results
WisBiz Green Blog
Sustainable Ag Research Shows Results
By Gregg Hoffmann
Sustainable agriculture received some endorsements recently because it is showing results.
Findings from the first phase of the Dairy Soil & Water Regeneration project highlighted the direct benefits of sustainable land management on commercial dairy forage fields, according to a Mid-West Farm Report story.
The May 2 story reported: “Focusing on Wisconsin’s Driftless Region, the assessment evaluated soil health across 57 fields on 31 farms to establish a baseline of carbon storage and soil function.
“The research reveals that while well-managed rotationally grazed pastures displayed the highest soil health indicators in the region, row crop operations also saw significant improvements by reducing tillage and maximizing living roots.”
“When farmers put into practice the soil health principles, like minimizing disturbance and maximizing living roots… we do see measurable changes in soil health improvement,” Program Manager and Soil Scientist Mara Cloutier said in the Mid-West Farm Report.
The day before the MWFR story, the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers (GSGP) released the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Sustainable Agriculture Research Agenda.
The Agenda is a “regional resource created to guide collaborative research, spur innovation, and strengthen agricultural sustainability and resilience,” according to a release by GSGP.
It reflects a shared commitment by the eight States and two Canadian Provinces to address critical agricultural challenges that reach across borders and require a coordinated regional approach.
According to the release, the Research Agenda is designed to elevate and connect decades of agricultural research already underway. Over the years, the region’s States, Provinces, universities, non-profit organizations, and other institutions have led efforts to advance sustainable agriculture.
The region’s agricultural sector contributes more than $1 trillion (US) to the economy, employs over 6.5 million people, and supports one of North America’s most diverse and productive agricultural systems.
“At the same time, producers across the region face increasing uncertainty driven by extreme weather, rising production costs, labor shortages, market volatility, and emerging environmental risks,” reported the release.
The Agenda builds on a strong foundation by identifying shared research priorities, aligning information needs across jurisdictions, and “laying the groundwork for a regional framework that amplifies the impact of ongoing and future work in support of agriculture today and for generations to come.”
Several ag officials endorsed the Agenda initiative. Here are a few::
** “The Regional Research Agenda serves as a roadmap for how the Great Lakes St. Lawrence region can lead in sustainable agriculture,” said Tim Boring, Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Chair of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative.
** “Wisconsin is proud to work alongside our Great Lakes partners to advance a shared vision for sustainable agriculture,” said Randy Romanski, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
“This research agenda strengthens our collective ability to support farmers, protect our land and water resources, and build a resilient regional food system.”
** “Agriculture doesn’t stop at state or national lines, and neither should our research,” said Thom Petersen, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
“Through this regional partnership, Minnesota is proud to work alongside our Great Lakes partners to turn shared challenges into shared successes. By making investments in sustainable ag, we are protecting our water quality, boosting our farm economy, and ensuring that the Great Lakes St. Lawrence region remains a global leader in productive, sustainable farming.”
** “The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Sustainable Agriculture Initiative brings us together around a shared commitment to the future of agriculture in the region,” said Honorable Trevor Jones, Minister, Ontario Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
“By aligning our work in the Research Agenda, we can better support producers as they navigate risks and uncertainty while building on the strong work already underway.”
GSGP unites the chief executives from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, and Wisconsin.
The Governors and Premiers work as equal partners to grow the region’s $9.3 trillion (US) economy and protect the world’s largest system of surface fresh water. This partnership builds upon 40 years of work by the Council of Great Lakes Governors to encourage and facilitate environmentally responsible economic development.
The endorsements of sustainable farming, and research of it, do not stop with ag officials.
In the MWFR story, a Cashton farmer touted results from sustainable practices: “We’ve been doing some things correctly,” reflects Jack Herricks, who has utilized no-till practices on his family’s land since 1985. “If there’s a better practice that is revealed through these studies, I’m in.”