#DIVERSECORNBELT: RESILIENT INTENSIFICATION THROUGH DIVERSITY IN MIDWESTERN AGRICULTURE

Project Methods
Task 1A: Engage with stakeholders We will convene multiple groups of stakeholders from across the agricultural value chain, with a minimum of two groups in each of IN, IL, and IA (I-states). These groups, Reimagining Agricultural Diversity Teams (RAD Teams), will use emerging techniques like horizon scanning and futures wheels to prioritize the sustainability metrics of importance to stakeholders.Task 1B: On-Farm Research Our on-farm research will collect data to compare conventional and diversified cropping systems in replicate watersheds throughout the I-states. Farmers, and thus sites, will be recruited in Y1 through a combined effort by the Extension and research teams that will integrate existing relationships with biophysical data (e.g., SSURGO soil maps). We will identify pairs of 'diversified' and 'conventional' farms in each watershed. To separate the two, a diversification index will be used to characterize farms with a scoring matrix based on a range of factors such as rotations, crop diversity, non-crop vegetation, and livestock integration. We will select farms that still cultivate corn and/or soybeans to generate a standardized baseline to compare with conventional systems. Each farm will be sampled up to 10 times annually in Y2-4. In addition to standard agronomic soil fertility measurements, we will measure the following soil health indicators: penetration resistance, bulk density, nitrogen mineralization rate, carbon mineralization rate, and aggregate stability. Insect community indicators measured will include: predator diversity and abundance, pest suppression, and pollinator diversity/abundance. Water quality measures taken will include: groundwater recharge, and water quality (N and P in groundwater). Last, we will collect crop growth data by: (1) quantifying canopy and residue cover using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and (2) using yield data reported from farmer participants..Task 1C: Identifying challenges and assessing readiness of the value chain We will use surveys, case studies, focus groups, and interviews to increase understanding of the barriers and motivations for (i) farmers to diversify and (ii) advisers to recommend diversification as a viable strategy.Task 2A: Farm-level economic modeling of diversification We will develop a flexible farm-level economic decision model to determine the conditions under which more diverse farms can be economically viable and what tradeoffs are necessary for farm operators to diversify their operations using extended rotations, grazed livestock, perennials, or new food crops. from alternative rotations and crops/land-uses, and explicit consideration of the cost- and risk-reducing role of federal policies in perpetuating the current paradigm. We will conduct this modeling in a stochastic setting to account for climate/weather variability and other infrequent environmental stresses that may have dramatic economic consequences.Task 2B: Diversification land use change (LUC) modeling The potential LUCs in our project could go beyond the production of food for local communities and include shifts from annual crop production to longer rotations and/or managed grazing, such as corn-soybean-oat/alfalfa-alfalfa rotations with and without cattle.Task 2C: Foodshed optimization. We will evaluate foodsheds in terms of the extent to which they address issues such as food security and sustainability, as well as social and environmental impacts of food systems.Task 2D: Hydrological modeling using SWAT.Task 2E: Air quality impacts We will conduct air quality modeling using reduced-complexity models.Task 3A: Develop preliminary landscape scenarios We will visualize landscape scenarios likely to be of interest to stakeholders. We anticipate scenarios will include: (1) a baseline corn-soybean rotation; (2) incremental diversification practices such as use and frequency of cover crops; (3) targeted perennialization, such as energy "crops", kernza, and forages with pastured livestock; (4) horticultural food crops and local foodsheds; and (5) policy-driven scenarios.Task 3B: Visioning sessions These meetings will occur with RAD Teams in each state and with decision makers at state and national levels and will generate visions for viable scenarios (or plausible futures) that maximize the sustainability outputs earlier prioritized by participants in each RAD Team.Task 4A: Outreach to Federal Decision-Makers We will generate a series of policy alternatives to be shared in-person with legislative and agency staff in two concurrent events in Washington, D.C.Task 4B: Outreach to State and Local Decision-Makers We will prepare state-specific topic briefs and policy papers adapted from the federal documents. Team members in each state will disseminate these through in-person meetings with key legislators and agencies, and at conferences and other appropriate venues.Task 5A: Engage with farmers and other farm-level decision-makers We will share research findings about: consumer demand that could be met through diversification; relationships between diversification, soil health, and sustainability; developing markets that support diversification; and what approaches to diversification are likely to be most profitable.Task 5B: Pilot markets and agricultural value chain dialogues Wwe will engage at least one food or beverage company to implement a pilot market to source sustainably produced crops from farms in the region. In addition, we will engage at least one of our existing food and beverage company partners to help expand their current pilot to build lasting market infrastructure and test consumer-facingTask 6A: Employ formal educational evaluation strategies to test and assess student learning outcomes In year one, UMN will host a mini-retreat to define student learning outcomes (SLOs) and design educational modules to meet them.Task 6B: Develop collections of learning modules to enhance agricultural sustainability education in secondary and undergraduate classrooms We will design modules for existing courses that are transferable and accessible to larger learning communities. These modules will be informed by the project's research objectives and latest findings and will consist of material for lectures as well as hands-on and active learning classrooms. Modules will be shared across the grant institutions where their efficacy and alignment with stated educational goals will be tested.Task 6C: Create an experiential multi-institutional field course to be taught over the summer session We will design a multi-institutional, 10-day summer travel course, the "Midwestern Sustainable Ag Tour."Year One Evaluation: The first year of evaluation will be designed to: assist the research team in clarifying research strategies; finalizing milestones; identifying communication processes; developing a framework for stakeholder engagement; and establishing research-team operations and responsibilities. Years Two, Three, and Four Evaluation: formative evaluation will be conducted through interviews (in person or virtually), surveys, and document analysis to compare projected milestones with results. Year Five Evaluation: A summative evaluation of the project will be conducted with an emphasis on research objectives, communication processes, stakeholder engagement, and research-team operations.Evaluation of Extension efforts: We will conduct pre- and post-surveys of collaborating farmers to assess knowledge gained, and views on benefits of and barriers to diversification.Evaluation of education efforts:" Evaluation efforts will focus on implementation, efficacy, and impact of the modules on SLOs.