Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Taking the next step

Project ID: P2003-15

Abstract

Policy makers need a way to measure environmental results of farming practices, and incorporate those outcomes into farm policy. Modeling tools can help, but are not yet adequate to serve as performance-based policy guidelines. Roundtables can help diverse groups of people explore a new concept like performance-based policies.

Key Question: What did this project tell farmers about stewardship farming on a given landscape?

Findings: 1. More grass equates to less contamination by nitrogen and soil on the run. The modeling was done in the driftless area of southeastern Minnesota with supporting funds that applies directly to northeastern Iowa, and is of interest to others in Iowa. 2. Environmental goals can be reasonably addressed by even the most conventional of farmers who nevertheless hold the stewardship of habitat, water, and soil as important. 3. The consequences of farm management escape the farm gate

Lead investigator: Cornelia Flora, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, et al

Year of grant completion: 2008

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Policy Initiative.

Topics: Policy