Project Search
Since its inception in 2004, CIG has funded hundreds of projects, boosting natural resource conservation while helping producers improve the health of their operations for the future. Use this tool to search for CIG projects based on any of the criteria listed below.
CIG projects from 2004-2009 may be missing information in the following categories: Resource Concern (specific), Conservation Practice, Production/Use.
Showing 231 - 240 of 1793 projects
Soil and Water Conservation Society
|
DC
|
2019
While extreme weather events threaten farm viability and water quality concerns from
soil erosion and eutrophication abound, agricultural producers and their trusted advisors are
tasked with improving not only farm profitability but also environmental stewardship. Farm management must adapt to become smarter, more resilient, more environmentally responsible, and more profitable. To get there, we need to foster collaboration among conservation experts, technology leaders, scientists, producers, and agricultural advisors; break down adoption barriers to innovative practices; and collect, analyze and communicate the results of on-farm trials to broad audiences. The goals of the “Advancing Precision Nutrient and Soil Health Management with Retailer Cooperatives” project are:
1. Scale Conservation Adoption: We will significantly expand and accelerate the adoption
of precision nutrient management and soil health supporting practices on cultivated
cropland acres in the primary wheat and corn production regions in the Midwest.
2. Share the Value of Precision Conservation: We will develop and broadly share
agronomic, environmental, and economic insights on the value proposition for producers
that adopt precision nutrient management practices.
3. Show the “Return on Investment” of Innovation Trials: We will demonstrate the
“bang for the buck” value of helping producers adopt and learn to management advanced
conservation systems on a single field so that they can, in turn, scale those systems across
their entire operation without additional financial assistance.
4. Leverage Private-Sector Capabilities: We will demonstrate the positive impact of
integrating agricultural retailer cooperatives with their agronomic expertise and advanced
crop management technology into the voluntary, private lands conservation partnership.
soil erosion and eutrophication abound, agricultural producers and their trusted advisors are
tasked with improving not only farm profitability but also environmental stewardship. Farm management must adapt to become smarter, more resilient, more environmentally responsible, and more profitable. To get there, we need to foster collaboration among conservation experts, technology leaders, scientists, producers, and agricultural advisors; break down adoption barriers to innovative practices; and collect, analyze and communicate the results of on-farm trials to broad audiences. The goals of the “Advancing Precision Nutrient and Soil Health Management with Retailer Cooperatives” project are:
1. Scale Conservation Adoption: We will significantly expand and accelerate the adoption
of precision nutrient management and soil health supporting practices on cultivated
cropland acres in the primary wheat and corn production regions in the Midwest.
2. Share the Value of Precision Conservation: We will develop and broadly share
agronomic, environmental, and economic insights on the value proposition for producers
that adopt precision nutrient management practices.
3. Show the “Return on Investment” of Innovation Trials: We will demonstrate the
“bang for the buck” value of helping producers adopt and learn to management advanced
conservation systems on a single field so that they can, in turn, scale those systems across
their entire operation without additional financial assistance.
4. Leverage Private-Sector Capabilities: We will demonstrate the positive impact of
integrating agricultural retailer cooperatives with their agronomic expertise and advanced
crop management technology into the voluntary, private lands conservation partnership.
Mad Agriculture
|
CO
|
2019
Mad Agriculture is leading a collaborative effort to develop Carbon Farm Planning as an NRCS
Conservation Activity Plan in Colorado. Carbon Farm Planning is a systems approach to whole farm
and ranch planning that optimizes the use of conservation practices to solve resource concerns, build
soil health, and enhance the ecological resilience and financial viability of agriculture. Carbon Farm
Planning was developed by the NRCS and Resource Conservation Districts in California in
collaboration with the Carbon Cycle Institute. Carbon Farm Planning has been very successful at
attracting producers to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), delivering more Farm
Bill dollars to help farmers and ranchers improve their operations. The goals of this project are:
1) Mad Agriculture staff lead the creation of two carbon farm plans for Colorado producers that
lease Boulder City and Boulder County lands. These Carbon Farm Plans will be designed to
optimize the implementation of NRCS conservation practices that maximize natural resource
conservation, and will be completed and submitted for EQIP funding as a Conservation Plan.
2) Create an open-source Carbon Farm Planning Training curriculum, Carbon Farm Outcomes
Scorecard, and a Toolkit to ‘training the trainers’ (NRCS, Conservation Districts and
Technical Service Providers) workshops and field days, which will be available on our digital
resource base ( www.coloradocarbonproject.org ) that represents our network of stakeholders.
3) Host a two-day Carbon Farm Planning training sessions for producers, Technical Service
Providers (TSPs), NRCS and conservation district staff in Colorado.
4) Lastly, the Carbon Farm Planning will be reviewed by NRCS staff to potentially codify the
framework as an eligible Conservation Activity Plan in Colorado.
Overall, there is rising demand for Carbon Farm Planning across the USA, and Colorado would be the
second state to adopt the CAP. Carbon Farm Planning will attract and deliver more EQIP funds to
CO farmers and ranchers, helping them solve resource concerns and increase our state’s reputation as a
leader in natural resource conservation.
Conservation Activity Plan in Colorado. Carbon Farm Planning is a systems approach to whole farm
and ranch planning that optimizes the use of conservation practices to solve resource concerns, build
soil health, and enhance the ecological resilience and financial viability of agriculture. Carbon Farm
Planning was developed by the NRCS and Resource Conservation Districts in California in
collaboration with the Carbon Cycle Institute. Carbon Farm Planning has been very successful at
attracting producers to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), delivering more Farm
Bill dollars to help farmers and ranchers improve their operations. The goals of this project are:
1) Mad Agriculture staff lead the creation of two carbon farm plans for Colorado producers that
lease Boulder City and Boulder County lands. These Carbon Farm Plans will be designed to
optimize the implementation of NRCS conservation practices that maximize natural resource
conservation, and will be completed and submitted for EQIP funding as a Conservation Plan.
2) Create an open-source Carbon Farm Planning Training curriculum, Carbon Farm Outcomes
Scorecard, and a Toolkit to ‘training the trainers’ (NRCS, Conservation Districts and
Technical Service Providers) workshops and field days, which will be available on our digital
resource base ( www.coloradocarbonproject.org ) that represents our network of stakeholders.
3) Host a two-day Carbon Farm Planning training sessions for producers, Technical Service
Providers (TSPs), NRCS and conservation district staff in Colorado.
4) Lastly, the Carbon Farm Planning will be reviewed by NRCS staff to potentially codify the
framework as an eligible Conservation Activity Plan in Colorado.
Overall, there is rising demand for Carbon Farm Planning across the USA, and Colorado would be the
second state to adopt the CAP. Carbon Farm Planning will attract and deliver more EQIP funds to
CO farmers and ranchers, helping them solve resource concerns and increase our state’s reputation as a
leader in natural resource conservation.
National Corn Growers Association
|
IL
|
2019
The Soil Health Partnership (SHP), of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and
Illinois Corn Grower’s Precision Conservation Management (PCM) are proposing a joint project
to partner with 60 new farmers through trial sites in Illinois focusing on areas of high agricultural
production and key environmental concern. The Soil Health Partnership is a farmer-led initiative
of the National Corn Growers Association.The SHP is an innovative example of collaboration
between diverse organizations focused on increased adoption of conservation practices by
farmers through on-farm trials coupled with data and communications. Precision Conservation
Management (PCM) is a farmer-led effort developed to address natural resource concerns on a
field-by-field basis by identifying conservation practices that effectively address environmental
issues in a financially viable way. SHP and PCM will build on their existing partnership and shared sites to coordinate the implementation and adaptive management of a combined program, guiding at least 60 EQIP eligible producers through the intensive management changes that come with the transition to a SHMS. SHP and PCM staff will work one-on-one with farmers to develop individualized plans for their farm operations and to provide continuing technical advice over the course of the grant. The data collected will ensure full evaluation of the benefits, costs, and risks associated with SHMS practices.
Illinois Corn Grower’s Precision Conservation Management (PCM) are proposing a joint project
to partner with 60 new farmers through trial sites in Illinois focusing on areas of high agricultural
production and key environmental concern. The Soil Health Partnership is a farmer-led initiative
of the National Corn Growers Association.The SHP is an innovative example of collaboration
between diverse organizations focused on increased adoption of conservation practices by
farmers through on-farm trials coupled with data and communications. Precision Conservation
Management (PCM) is a farmer-led effort developed to address natural resource concerns on a
field-by-field basis by identifying conservation practices that effectively address environmental
issues in a financially viable way. SHP and PCM will build on their existing partnership and shared sites to coordinate the implementation and adaptive management of a combined program, guiding at least 60 EQIP eligible producers through the intensive management changes that come with the transition to a SHMS. SHP and PCM staff will work one-on-one with farmers to develop individualized plans for their farm operations and to provide continuing technical advice over the course of the grant. The data collected will ensure full evaluation of the benefits, costs, and risks associated with SHMS practices.
Whatcom Conservation District
|
WA
|
2019
Changes in climate and subsequent weather patterns are challenging water availability and timing to
agricultural crops in Western Washingtons Mediterranean climate. Characterized by wet winters and
dry summers, the use of irrigation water in the summer months is critical to crop productivity. In
Whatcom County, WA, berry, potato, and dairy crops (silage corn and grass), account for 80% of all
agricultural acres and support the 2nd (milk) and 4th (potato) largest commodities in the state, and the
commodities for which Washington ranks 1st (berry) and 2nd (potato) in the nation. Whatcom County
berry sales were over $110 million in 2017, surpassed only by the dairy industry with over $180 million
in milk sales in Whatcom County. To meet these vital production and quality measures,
these crops need irrigation in the dry summer months to optimize crop growth. The overall goal of this project is to enhance the economic and environmental benefits of agricultural irrigation water. This project will examine the impact of implementation of the NRCS Structure for Water Control (587) Practice Standard for subirrigation to reduce surface irrigation requirements in corn and grass silage rotations while maintaining or improving crop production and reducing negative impacts on water quality. Real‐time soil moisture sensors will be used to inform the need for surface irrigation and to identify easy metrics for producers to monitor and adjust irrigation water use. Soil, groundwater, and surface water sampling will be utilized to assess impacts on soil and nutrient dynamics. The project’s overall objectives are: 1) to determine the effectiveness of subirrigation with WLCS for increasing
water use efficiency1 and reducing nutrient leaching, and 2) to improve farmer decision support related
to surface irrigation with demonstration of automated real‐time moisture sensors.
agricultural crops in Western Washingtons Mediterranean climate. Characterized by wet winters and
dry summers, the use of irrigation water in the summer months is critical to crop productivity. In
Whatcom County, WA, berry, potato, and dairy crops (silage corn and grass), account for 80% of all
agricultural acres and support the 2nd (milk) and 4th (potato) largest commodities in the state, and the
commodities for which Washington ranks 1st (berry) and 2nd (potato) in the nation. Whatcom County
berry sales were over $110 million in 2017, surpassed only by the dairy industry with over $180 million
in milk sales in Whatcom County. To meet these vital production and quality measures,
these crops need irrigation in the dry summer months to optimize crop growth. The overall goal of this project is to enhance the economic and environmental benefits of agricultural irrigation water. This project will examine the impact of implementation of the NRCS Structure for Water Control (587) Practice Standard for subirrigation to reduce surface irrigation requirements in corn and grass silage rotations while maintaining or improving crop production and reducing negative impacts on water quality. Real‐time soil moisture sensors will be used to inform the need for surface irrigation and to identify easy metrics for producers to monitor and adjust irrigation water use. Soil, groundwater, and surface water sampling will be utilized to assess impacts on soil and nutrient dynamics. The project’s overall objectives are: 1) to determine the effectiveness of subirrigation with WLCS for increasing
water use efficiency1 and reducing nutrient leaching, and 2) to improve farmer decision support related
to surface irrigation with demonstration of automated real‐time moisture sensors.
Auburn University
|
AL
|
2019
This project aims to utilize a systems approach to demonstrate to row crop farmers the combined
benefits of Cover Crops and smart irrigation practices for improving soil health and water- and
nutrient-use efficiency while conserving water and Energy. Edge-of-the-field monitoring and
nutrient budgets will be included to demonstrate reduction in nutrient losses from combined
cover crop and smart irrigation practices. In addition, on-farm trials will be used as learning
nodes for training and studying the barriers and limitations to adoption of cover crop systems and
smart irrigation practices. Three on-farm sites with different levels of adoption of the proposed
practices have been selected to conduct the proposed demonstrations. At each site, the area under
the center irrigation pivot will be divided into two halves. One half will be in business-as-usual
management whereas the remaining half of the pivot will be used for demonstrating the new
conservation practices. The new conservation practices will be compared against the business-as-usual practices in terms of yield, components of nitrogen and phosphorus budgets, edge-of-field
runoff losses, nutrient and water use efficiency, and production economics. Several farmers’
engagement approaches (one-to-one meetings, small group meetings, field days, workshops) will
be used to increase knowledge and adoption of these new practices. The barriers to adoption will
be studied through interaction of cooperating farmers and meeting participants. Our goal with this last aim is to increase the adoption of environmentally sound, sustainable practices related to conserving soil, water and nutrients.
benefits of Cover Crops and smart irrigation practices for improving soil health and water- and
nutrient-use efficiency while conserving water and Energy. Edge-of-the-field monitoring and
nutrient budgets will be included to demonstrate reduction in nutrient losses from combined
cover crop and smart irrigation practices. In addition, on-farm trials will be used as learning
nodes for training and studying the barriers and limitations to adoption of cover crop systems and
smart irrigation practices. Three on-farm sites with different levels of adoption of the proposed
practices have been selected to conduct the proposed demonstrations. At each site, the area under
the center irrigation pivot will be divided into two halves. One half will be in business-as-usual
management whereas the remaining half of the pivot will be used for demonstrating the new
conservation practices. The new conservation practices will be compared against the business-as-usual practices in terms of yield, components of nitrogen and phosphorus budgets, edge-of-field
runoff losses, nutrient and water use efficiency, and production economics. Several farmers’
engagement approaches (one-to-one meetings, small group meetings, field days, workshops) will
be used to increase knowledge and adoption of these new practices. The barriers to adoption will
be studied through interaction of cooperating farmers and meeting participants. Our goal with this last aim is to increase the adoption of environmentally sound, sustainable practices related to conserving soil, water and nutrients.
Indiana Soybean Alliance
|
IN
|
2019
The INfield Advantage program offers an innovative approach to conservation through an innovative programing framework that provides access to nutrient management and soil health trials to farmers who may not traditionally engage in conservation programs. This program allows farmers to initially begin receiving baseline data through sampling, as well as, enroll in a split field trial pertaining to nutrient management, reduced tillage practices, or Cover Crops. Through this framework, farmers move through a navigable path towards understanding which practices may work best on their individual operations. The program divides the state into six watershed-based regions, and the trials offered are developed to address specific concerns in each of the watershed-based regions. Trials are developed and offered in partnership with private industry and university extension and include opportunities with Cover Crops, including cover crop and manure management trials, reduced tillage and nutrient management. Farmers receive feedback on the trials through an agronomist and discuss results and experiences in small peer group meetings. The objectives for this program are to increase the use of soil health and nutrient management practices in priority watersheds in Indiana. Specifically, the program will focus on increasing cover crop acreage and advancing 4R principles, particularly on fields that use manure. The program will target outreach to farmers who traditionally do not participate in conservation programs or utilize a private agronomist. By offering small, local peer group meetings, the findings and experiences on each farm will be shared among multiple farmers to advance broader adoption of practices. Additionally, evaluation data collected through Field to Market and social surveys will be aggregated and shared broadly to promote information learned and progress made through the program.
University of Nebraska
|
NE
|
2019
Within Nebraska, soil texture, topography, rainfall patterns, irrigation, and cultural practices used
in corn and wheat production vary greatly; therefore, there is no “one-size-fits-all” technology to
address N management concerns. Additionally, individual farmers may be at various stages of
technology adoption in their own operations, therefore the techniques and technologies presented
to corn and wheat producers need to be customized to meet their needs. There are numerous
precision agriculture technologies and strategies that can help improve N management by increasing efficiency and reducing N loss to the environment while also maintaining or increasing yields and profitability. We have identified several in-season and variable rate technologies with research verified potential to increase N efficiency on Nebraska farmer’s fields, yet are largely under-adopted by farmers:
1) Crop canopy sensors to direct in-season N applications for corn and wheat production
2) Imagery (satellite, aerial, or drone) to direct in-season N applications for corn and wheat
production
3) Crop nitrogen models to direct pre-plant and/or in-season N applications for corn and
wheat production
4) Inhibitors and stabilizers to protect N fertilizer from loss for corn and wheat production
in corn and wheat production vary greatly; therefore, there is no “one-size-fits-all” technology to
address N management concerns. Additionally, individual farmers may be at various stages of
technology adoption in their own operations, therefore the techniques and technologies presented
to corn and wheat producers need to be customized to meet their needs. There are numerous
precision agriculture technologies and strategies that can help improve N management by increasing efficiency and reducing N loss to the environment while also maintaining or increasing yields and profitability. We have identified several in-season and variable rate technologies with research verified potential to increase N efficiency on Nebraska farmer’s fields, yet are largely under-adopted by farmers:
1) Crop canopy sensors to direct in-season N applications for corn and wheat production
2) Imagery (satellite, aerial, or drone) to direct in-season N applications for corn and wheat
production
3) Crop nitrogen models to direct pre-plant and/or in-season N applications for corn and
wheat production
4) Inhibitors and stabilizers to protect N fertilizer from loss for corn and wheat production
University of Vermont
|
VT
|
2019
This project will address factors limiting the success of cover crop implementation and function on corn silage fields in northern climates. In northern climates, limited time to establish Cover Crops following corn silage harvest has led to a heavy dependence on winter rye as the primary cover crop species used in this region. This not only limits biodiversity in our agricultural systems, but also creates additional challenges with respect to cover crop termination and soil preparation in the spring, especially under wet conditions. In some instances, this is actually deterring farmers from continuing to cover crop. Interseeding offers a greater opportunity for building soil health, biodiversity, and addressing concerns such as compaction, nitrogen fixing, and weed control. Through our past work, we have identified several key pressure points, including modifications to the herbicide program, proper corn varietal selection, and modifications to corn/cover crop-planting schemes. We will utilize several techniques including manipulating planting patterns in the field to allow more light to reach the soil surface, selecting corn varieties with vertical leaf architecture, modifying herbicide programs as to not hinder cover crop growth, interseeding the Cover Crops earlier in the crop season, and using custom seed mixes that offer the best opportunities for successful establishment.
Croatan Institute
|
CA, OR, WI
|
2019
Rural farming communities today are facing a fresh wave of financial challenges, associated with extreme weather events and a rising tide of loan defaults and bankruptcies. In many rural places, farming is literally losing ground. At the same time, growing numbers of farmers are embracing more resilient, regenerative agriculture strategies that explicitly seek to improve soil health and enhance rural community wealth. Building upon best-in-class conservation practices, regenerative agriculture aims to work with natural systems to restore, improve, and enhance the biological vitality, carrying capacity, and “ecosystem services” of rural farming landscapes. The benefits and outcomes of these practices include not only healthier soils but also enhancements in biodiversity, water quality, and more resilient rural communities. This constellation of benefits associated with building both soil health and rural wealth through regenerative agriculture is what we call “Soil Wealth.”
Today, investing in soil wealth is limited by the number of appropriate mechanisms available to ease the financial burdens of these agricultural transitions. This project proposes to develop an innovative place-based financing model to address some of these barriers. Innovative work will be carried out in this project through the development of the Rural Regenerative Agricultural District concept, which will explore both the possibility of a voluntary improvement district, legislatively designated districts, and/or collaboration with existing soil and water conservation districts; by studying the feasibility of the soil wealth improvement mechanism as a financing technique, through the exploration of both public and private approaches to property-assessed-type financing; and through the development of an implementation roadmap to support states and localities to develop these districts that would include a pilot financing program outline to model this mechanism on the private side and a marketing platform to attract private investors to finance these kinds of soil wealth improvements. Project partners and project advisory council members will be integral parts of all project work. Our proposed place-based financial model is designed to benefit producers adopting regenerative and soil health improvement practices, providing them with much-needed upfront capital to make substantial improvements on their land and in their operations.
Today, investing in soil wealth is limited by the number of appropriate mechanisms available to ease the financial burdens of these agricultural transitions. This project proposes to develop an innovative place-based financing model to address some of these barriers. Innovative work will be carried out in this project through the development of the Rural Regenerative Agricultural District concept, which will explore both the possibility of a voluntary improvement district, legislatively designated districts, and/or collaboration with existing soil and water conservation districts; by studying the feasibility of the soil wealth improvement mechanism as a financing technique, through the exploration of both public and private approaches to property-assessed-type financing; and through the development of an implementation roadmap to support states and localities to develop these districts that would include a pilot financing program outline to model this mechanism on the private side and a marketing platform to attract private investors to finance these kinds of soil wealth improvements. Project partners and project advisory council members will be integral parts of all project work. Our proposed place-based financial model is designed to benefit producers adopting regenerative and soil health improvement practices, providing them with much-needed upfront capital to make substantial improvements on their land and in their operations.
University of Nebraska
|
NE
|
2019
This project will support ongoing expansion and maturation of TAPS, the Testing Ag Performance Solutions program (www.taps.unl.edu), a valuable engagement program for accelerating adoption of acceptable water conservation technologies and profitable management practices. Specific objectives include: 1) Expand an innovative engagement program centered on efficient and profitable crop production that allows growers’ to test, observe, experiment, and implement new and emerging water conservation technologies and management techniques. 2) Quantify the operational and financial benefits and challenges of water conservation technologies and management practices. 3) Collaborate with all members of the agricultural sector, including growers, industry, regulatory agencies, NRCS personnel, local extension agents/educators, and university researchers, to develop and disseminate effective educational, outreach, and training material that will lead to acceptance of recommended water management strategies.