Source: PURDUE UNIVERSITY submitted to
#DIVERSECORNBELT: RESILIENT INTENSIFICATION THROUGH DIVERSITY IN MIDWESTERN AGRICULTURE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
NEW
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1027512
Grant No.
2021-68012-35896
Project No.
IND90003152G
Proposal No.
2021-05680
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
A9201
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2021
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2026
Grant Year
2021
Project Director
Prokopy, L.
Recipient Organization
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
WEST LAFAYETTE,IN 47907
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
For decades, the dominant paradigm in Midwestern agriculture has been the necessity of the corn-soybean rotation; as illustrated by decreased farmer economic optimism, declining rural communities, and degraded environments, this paradigm is no longer working.Our interdisciplinary and cross-organizational team will engage stakeholders across the value chain to generate evidence-based visions and frameworks to diversify the dominant corn-soybean system. The transformed system will be capable of overcoming persistent market and policy barriers to support a transition to resilient intensification and a more economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable system.These changes will be enabled byadvancing several dimensions of diversity- at the farm, landscape, and market level while ensuring the needs of diverse people along the value chain are met.Informed by stakeholders through coproduction sessions, visioning, surveys and interviews, the team will advance understanding of environmental costs and benefits of diversified systems through on-farm research and will research economic and social barriers to change along the agricultural value chain (Objective 1). The team will model air, water, and economic outcomes of baseline and diversified systems (Objective 2). Modeling results and scenario development will guide place-based visioning sessions (Objective 3). The team will identify institutional barriers (Objectives 1-3) and generate policy guidance (Objective 4). #DiverseCornBelt's Extension program will support farm-level actors and markets in transitioning (Objective 5) and will engage the future workforce through educational modules and immersive learning experiences (Objective 6).
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1312410107020%
1312410113010%
6012410301010%
1312410308020%
1312410311110%
1122410205010%
1012410206110%
6032410301010%
Knowledge Area
601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management; 603 - Market Economics; 112 - Watershed Protection and Management; 101 - Appraisal of Soil Resources; 131 - Alternative Uses of Land;

Subject Of Investigation
2410 - Cross-commodity research--multiple crops;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology; 3111 - Landscape architecture; 2050 - Hydrology; 1070 - Ecology; 2061 - Pedology; 3010 - Economics; 3080 - Sociology;
Goals / Objectives
The core goal of this Purdue University-led SAS project, #DiverseCornBelt: Resilient Intensification through Diversity in Midwestern Agriculture, is to diversify the farms, landscapes, and markets of the Corn Belt. Our hypothesis is that diversifying crop production and markets will generate a suite of economic, social, and ecosystem services that benefit more people than provided by the current system of predominantly corn-soybean rotations and confined livestock. Diversifying both farming and farmers in the U.S.requires systematic analysis and assessment of pathways towards resilient intensification at farm, landscape, and market levels.Our team will implement a transdisciplinary integrated approach to coproduce new scientifically and ethically sound visions through objectives that cuts across research, Extension, and education.Objective 1: Coproduce research and advance market development along the agricultural value chain to identify and address social, economic, agronomic, and environmental barriers to the adoption of diverse sustainable agricultural systems.Objective 2: Model economic and ecosystem (air, water) impacts of diverse landscape scenarios across the agricultural value chain to develop evidence-based policy recommendations, quantify sustainability metrics and establish conditions required for economic vitality.Objective 3: Design stakeholder-informed alternative production systems by conducting visioning sessions at the local, state, and national levels that allow participants to consider ethical choices and sustainability outcomes.Objective 4: Develop and disseminate policy guidance to achieve resilient intensification through diversified farms, landscapes, and markets.Objective 5: Engage with diverse stakeholders through Extension to support farm diversification and market development.Objective 6: Create, pilot, and publish educational materials to foster a workforce prepared to respond to emerging challenges and support a diversified landscape.
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.

Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:DCB target audiences include: Farmers; agricultural advisors; landowners; food, fiber, biomass retailers; Land Grant University Extension; policy makers/funders; students; educators; researchers. To broadly reach our target audience, DCB published three newsletters (Winter 2022, Spring 2023, Summer 2023). Newsletters were sent to 500+ individuals and received a 45.9% open rate. DCB also has an active online presence with a website, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. In this reporting period, DCB tweets totaled 54,685 impressions and DCB appeared in 26 media articles, press releases and other on-line outreach activities gathering 3,715,901 impressions. Changes/Problems:The following changes have occurred Sustainable Food Labs (SFL) (Elizabeth Reaves) has left project. SLF conducted initial interviews with CPGs (see details in accomplishments) and the rest of their work has been delegated to others on the DCB team. Dr. Yichao Rui joined DCB (PI) with Binod Joshi (PhD student). Dr. Rui focuses on processes that underpin soil and crop resiliency and is identifying opportunities where current cropping systems can be implemented withagroecological principlesto improve their performance and long-term sustainability. Dr. Rui's expertise is a valuable addition to the DCB team. Stakeholder coordinator (not initially planned or budgeted) has left DCB and their responsibilities have been delegated to the project manager. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?DCB is providing training and professional development to 4 undergraduate students, 9 graduate students and 4 post-docs. DCB has also supported conference and seminar attendance for PIs, students, post-docs, and staff. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?DCB team has shared information and results in over 20 presentations and has published three newsletters to a mailing list of 531 individuals. As results are ready to share in meetings and academic literature, a campaign of press releases, media outreach and social media will amplify the findings to a wide range of stakeholder audiences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?OBJ 1: To address social and economic barriers, DCB will conduct RAD meetings in IN, IL and IA and establish relationships with CPGs for a national RAD meeting. Data will be analyzed and results will be integrated into related objectives. To address agronomic and environmental elements, DCB will install additional groundwater monitoring wells and continue collecting soil health, insect biodiversity, water quality, and vegetative data from on-farm collaborators across the study area. Y2 data will be analyzed within and across disciplines and incorporated into subsequent tasks and objectives. Related to market development DCB will finish data collection and analysis of surveys targeting key supply chain stakeholders (wholesalers, restaurants, fresh produce buyers, and grocers). We will also conduct consumer-focused research related to preference for a diversified product (oat milk) using interviews to uncover product attributes (e.g., pesticide-free, local, sugar-free, organic, etc.) driving preference and choice. Interviews will inform a nationwide choice experiment survey to assess consumers' willingness to pay for specific attributes. OBJ 2: DCB will continue modeling efforts related to economic and ecosystem impacts of diverse landscape scenarios across the Corn Belt. Models include farm-level economics, land use change, air quality, foodshed, water quality, and agent-based. Models are informed by Obj 1 results and will be the starting point for stakeholder-informed visioning sessions focused on the future of agriculture in the Midwest. OBJ 3: The DCB team will continue gathering data and recruiting participants who will contribute to the stakeholder-informed visioning sessions. OBJ 4: This was originally not intended to occur until Y5 but the DCB team is already exploring policy opportunities and alternatives through engagement efforts in Y3 of the project and sharing research findings directly with policy groups such as AGree. DCB will also continue networking efforts with policy advocates and planning strategies for developing policies that support a more resilient agriculture future in the Corn Belt. OBJ 5: DCB will continue developing relationships with key organizations and stakeholders across the ag value chain to support farm diversification and market development. We will use these relationships to leverage the efforts of our team and support development of organizations who can extend the reach of DCB findings. OBJ 6 DCB will build out and finalize pilot example modules from each unit and reach out to content experts to contribute modules based on their expertise. Modules will be designed at the college level and will be tailored to fit the needs of a high school classroom.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? OBJ1Exploring social and economic barriers to diversification, DCB conducted focus groups, interviews, and Reimagining Agricultural Diversity (RAD) meetings. Focus groups asked participants to share what is working and not working in the current agriculture system. 20 focus groups were conducted with 100 diversified and non-diversified farmers. A manuscript of findings has been submitted to Agriculture and Human Values (Sep 23). Results found challenges and opportunities related to economics and market considerations, particularly income, productivity, and market access. Interviews focused on pathways and barriers faced in diversified operations. 32 interviews were conducted with 36 diversified farmers. Initial findings identified challenges and opportunities related to markets, scale, labor, and support. DCB also conducted the first of many RAD Meeting with 18 participants, including a range of stakeholders (farmers, advisors, landowners, local decision makers and agency staff, etc.). RAD Teams are a long-term stakeholder engagement group that meet to discuss topics through the project and provide feedback on project findings. RAD Teams provide a critical opportunity for researchers to understand perspectives of agricultural stakeholders in the region. The first meeting established a baseline with participants about their thoughts on agricultural diversification and explored needs and visions for the future in an interactive facilitated discussion. DCB conducted a farmer survey in Jan 2023. The survey was distributed to 3300 farmers across the study area and focused on perceptions of diversification, current practices used, and attitudes towards potential future adoption. The survey received a response rate of 23%. Preliminary analysis is underway. DCB is using horizon scanning techniques to gain strategic foresight on future potential for agricultural diversification in the corn belt. Horizon scanning is used to detect early signs of potentially important developments by documenting emerging threats and opportunities. Analysis is underway and a paper is in development. Exploring agronomic and environmental barriers, DCB is quantifying biophysical impacts of diversification and investigating if diversified systems impact sustainability indicators compared to a non-diverse system. We recruited 72 on-farm collaborators and collected soil health, insect biodiversity, water quality and vegetative data from cropping systems ranging from highly diverse to non-diversified. The first season of data collection is complete. DCB conducted soil fertility analysis and shared results with on-farm collaborators to inform management decisions for the 23/24 season. DCB installed 24 wells on a range of landcover to measure water table fluctuation and water quality. Pitfall traps were used to assess insect biodiversity, predator assays to quantify pest control, and acoustic monitoring to measure insect community dynamics. DCB performed weed surveys and estimate pest pressure and natural enemy activity. Data analysis/synthesis, and planning for next season is underway. DCB is also characterizing cropping systems and developing a "diversification index" to uniformly classify participating fields. Exploring supply chains and markets development, DCB is conducting 4 surveys targeting supply chain stakeholders (wholesalers, restaurants, fresh produce buyers, and grocers). Surveys focuses on food purchasing practices, local sourcing, sustainability initiatives, marketing strategies, perspectives on diversification, required sustainable labels/claims, and demographics. The wholesaler and fresh produce buyer surveys are currently underway. Based on preliminary results, wholesalers are primarily motivated by financial benefits and managing price volatility, with a strong interest in local and sustainable products. While diversified farm products are not a major part of their portfolios, wholesalers' express intent to increase sourcing from these farms in the future. Survey development for restaurants industry, and grocers is underway. DCB is conducting case studies of diverse products and has conducted 26 interviews with oat, wheat, and pea growers in to identify market challenges, opportunities, and success factors. DCB conducted 7 interviews with CPG companies to explore opportunities and challenges to sourcing diverse ingredients. Results indicate the easiest strategy to bring regenerative products into their portfolio is to purchase smaller brands (i.e. General Mills purchasing Epic, Pepsi purchasing Sabra), additionally we recommend supporting events for start-ups to promote regenerative products to CPGs. Furthermore, collaboration between R&D, Marketing, and Procurement is essential for successful ingredient switches. Smaller companies can be more agile, but partnering with established regenerative brands aids in effective pilot testing and marketing strategies. OBJ 2: DCB is building a database of information on crops and other land uses at the USDA farm administrative unit level. This analysis will increase our understanding of where crop diversity exists and does not exist in today's landscape and can speak to common conditions enabling or disabling diversification across the Corn Belt. DCB has updated the 2014 model for the air quality-related health damages from US food system allocated to specific commodities to incorporate the 2020 National Emissions Inventory from US-EPA. With updated model, we created state specific figures showing health damages per corn production at a county level. We recorded and ideated on changes to the model required for the future diverse scenarios we anticipate from the modeling and RAD Teams in the coming year. DCB team has developed a modeling schematic to outline the workflow and inputs/outputs for agent-based, landscape, farm-level economic, air quality, food shed, and SWAT models. OBJ 3: DCB is conducting key research in obj 1 and 2 to inform the development of visions of a more diverse agricultural landscape in the Corn Belt. OBJ 4: DCB has been exploring policy opportunities and alternatives through obj 1 activities. We are strategizing with policy advocates to develop policy guidance to support a more diverse and resilient agriculture landscape in the Corn Belt. OBJ 5: DCB has engaged target audiences through a variety of extension events across the study area, including 2 PFI Cooperators Meetings, 11 presentations at the PFI 2023 Annual Conference with 849 attendees, 5 presentations at the Midwest Covers and Grains Conference reaching 439 individuals, 8 Field days with 347 attendees, 8 Diversified Rotation Farmer Network Calls with 213 participants. Additionally, the DCB team is developing relationships with stakeholders across the agricultural value chain by introducing the project concepts in the Corn Belt and nationally. OBJ 6: DCB continues to develop education curricula to foster the development of a workforce prepared to address emerging social and agricultural challenges and support more diverse agricultural landscape. DCB established a structure including four diversity units (ecological, agricultural, human, and economic) with 36 modules and three connecting units (systems thinking, changing minds, principles and sustainability) with 20 modules. Addressing all objectives, PIs generated $1.55 million dollars with 3 additional grants that will support and extend DCB efforts. Additional grants include 1. "Dollars and Sense - Diversifying the Agricultural Landscape with Climate Smart Commodities that Make Both" from the UIUC Institute for Sustainability Energy and the Environment 2. USDA-NIFA funded Integrated Midwest Partnerships for Actionable Climate Tools and Trainingfocused on developing resources for diversified systems in a changing climate, and 3. USDA-NIFA Organic Transitions grant assessing soil health in organic cropping systems across Indiana to identify environmental and management drivers.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Holmes, K. D., & Blubaugh, C. K. (2023). A Guide to 23 Global Syntheses of Plant Diversity Effects: Unpacking Consensus and Incongruence across Trophic Levels. The Quarterly Review of Biology, 98(3), 121-148.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Mulla, D.J., M. Tahir and J. M. Jungers. 2023. Comparative Simulation of Crop Productivity, Soil Moisture and Nitrate-N Leaching Losses for Intermediate Wheatgrass and Maize in Minnesota using the DSSAT Model. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, section Agroecology and Ecosystem Services 7: DOI 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1010383
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Nowatzke, Laurie W., and J. G. Arbuckle. 2023. Measuring and Predicting Iowa Farmers Current and Potential Future Use of Cover Crops. Society & Natural Resources 36(7):755-775. doi: 10.1080/08941920.2023.2183442.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Popovici, Ruxandra, Pranay Ranjan, Mazie Bernard, Emily Usher, Kris Johnson, Linda Prokopy. 2023. The Social Factors Influencing Cover Crop Adoption in the Midwest: A Controlled Comparison. Environmental Management. 72; 614-629.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Singh, S., A. Plastina, & J. Arbuckle. 2022. Cover Crop Practices in Iowa 20152020. Staff Report 22-SR 119. Ames, IA: Center for Agricultural and Rural Development.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Upadhaya, S., J. G. Arbuckle, and L. A. Schulte. 2023. Individual- and County-Level Factors Associated with Farmers Use of 4R Plus Nutrient Management Practices. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 78 (5): 41229. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2023.00002.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Upadhaya, Suraj, J. G. Arbuckle, and Lisa A. Schulte. 2023. Farmer Typologies Integrating Latent and Observed Characteristics: Insights for Soil and Water Conservation Outreach. Land Use Policy 134 (November): 106889. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2023.106889.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Wardropper, C. B., Genskow, K., Lavoie, A., Franklin, D., Usher, E., Wilke, A., Arbuckle, J., Jackson-Smith, D., Prokopy, L., & Rissman, A. 2023. Policy process and problem framing for state Nutrient Reduction Strategies in the US Upper Mississippi River Basin. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 78(1), 7081. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2023.00025
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Wilson, G.L., D.J. Mulla, N.R. Jordan, J.M. Jungers and B.A. Gordon. Predicting nitrate-N losses from farm fields in the Rogers Creek Watershed, MN for alfalfa, Kernza, and winter camelina crop rotations using the SWAT model. Frontiers in Agronomy, section Agroecological Cropping Systems 5: https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2023.1180232
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2023 Citation: Prokopy, Linda. September 2023. Overview of the Diverse Corn Belt Project. Colorado State University, Departmental Seminar, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2023 Citation: Prokopy, Linda. September 2023. Barriers and Opportunities for Diversification. UIUC Critical Conversations Workshop, Chicago, IL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2023 Citation: Prokopy, Linda. June 2023. The Social Dimension of Agricultural Conservation. NRCS Soil Health Training, West Lafayette, IN.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Arbuckle, J. and C. Morris. 2022. Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll: 2022 Summary Report. Extension Report SOC3105. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Extension.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Bennett, E. A., Burnham, M., Ulrich-Schad, J. D., Arbuckle, J. G., Eaton, W. M., Church, S. P., Eanes, F. R., Cross, J. E., & Williamson, M. A. 2023. Testing the Affect of Modified Sense of Place, Conservation Ethic, and Good Farmer Identity Measures on Predicting the Adoption of Cover Crops in Working Landscapes in Iowa. Society & Natural Resources, 0(0), 121. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2023.2177917
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2023 Citation: Blubaugh, C., Maynard, L., Traldi, R., Usher, E., Prokopy, L. Imagining a Diverse Corn Belt 2023 Illinois Stewardship Alliance Soil Health Week. March 10, 2023. Recording available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRo2YGKZkPQ. Accessed 9/29/2023. 33 registrants.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Floress, K., M. Baskerville, S.P. Church, S. Harden, L. Maynard, L.S. Prokopy, M. Tiboris, A. Thompson, R. Traldi, E. Usher. (2023). Status quo, transformation, collapse: Potential futures of agriculture in the Midwestern United States. International Association for Society and Natural Resources Conference. June 12-15, 2023. Portland, Maine
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Traldi, R., E. Usher, L. Asprooth, J. Arbuckle, S.P. Church, K. Floress, A. Torres, L.S. Prokopy. (2023). Barriers, Opportunities, and the Future of Agricultural Diversification in the Corn Belt: Farmers Perspectives. International Association for Society and Natural Resources Conference. June 12-15, 2023. Portland, Maine.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Arbuckle, J.G. Sociology of soil and water conservation in agriculture: What have we learned, and where are we headed? Plant to Table: Food Production, Culture, and Consequences on the Great Plains, Center for Great Plains Studies 48th Conference. Lincoln, NE, April 20, 2023. (120)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Nowatzke, L. and J. Arbuckle. A Stepladder toward Adoption of Multiple Complementary Conservation Practices: Iowa Farmers Concurrent Use of No-Till, Cover Crops, and Extended Rotations. Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference, August 9, 2023. (32)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Morris, C. and J. Arbuckle. Grass to Gas: Stakeholder Perspectives on the Development of a Hypothetical On-Farm Perennial Grass-Based Renewable Natural Gas Production Value Chain. Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference, August 8, 2023. (17)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Nowatzke, L. and J. Arbuckle. Global warmings Six Americas among Iowa farmers: Employing a short climate change survey to explore differential attitudes within a subpopulation. International Association for Society and Natural Resources Annual Conference, Portland, ME, June 13, 2023. (25)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Upadhaya, S., Arbuckle, J.G., & Mba-Wright, Mark. Combining social willingness & ecological potential to assess biomass-based biogas production potential. 2023 American Association of Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting. Denver, March 23-27, 2023.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Arbuckle, J. and L.S. Prokopy. Adoption of Agricultural Conservation Practices: Focus on Drainage Management. Learning from Leaders: Accelerating the Adoption of Conservation Drainage Webinar, Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition. January 26, 2023. (40)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Heaton E.A. and Becker, T. (February 2023) What is Regenerative Ag? UIUC Extension Crop Management Conference, Urbana, Dekalb, and online (~300 people)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Heaton E.A. presentation to UIUC Extensions Farm Assets Conference, Savoy, IL (Nov 2022, 400 people)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Prokopy, L., Harden, S., Clark, R., (2022) Envisioning a Diverse and Resilient Corn Belt Sustainable Ag Summit, November 17th, 2022, Phoenix, AZ
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Arbuckle, J. Social science research informing sustainability efforts. Corteva Sustainability Leadership Team Meeting. June 23, 2023. (22)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Delaney, K. and Heaton E.A. (March 2023) Presentation on Comet Farm for diversified crop rotations to Martin Farms, 5,000 acres in Alabama
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Rui, Yichao. Understanding the Role of Microbes in Soil Organic Matter Building and Functioning, Beck Agricultural Center, West Lafayette, IN, Jan 24, 2023.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Rui, Yichao. Soil Health and C Building in Row Crop and Pasture Systems, Indiana Grazing Schools talk. Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center, Dubois, IN, June 10, 2023.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Rui, Yichao. Soil Health and C Building in Row Crop and Pasture Systems, Indiana Grazing Schools talk. Randolph County Extension Office, Winchester, IN, June 16, 2023.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: IL Regenerative Ag Initiative fall public convening, Urbana, IL (Sept. 2022; 40 diversified agriculture stakeholders)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: IL Regenerative Ag Initiative spring public convening, online (April 2023; 25 Extension and public diversified agriculture stakeholders)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Prokopy, L., Thompson, A,. DiverseCornBelt: Visioning What Can Come Next. Purdue University Institute for a Sustainable Future. February 2, 2023
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Prokopy, L., Coffee and Conservation: Sustainability in Agriculture Purdue University, February 20, 2023
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Usher, E., Diverse Corn Belt: Visioning What Can Come Next Purdue University Farm Policy study group, February 11th, 2023
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Asprooth, L., Gassman, P., Gramig, B., Prokopy, L., Schilling, K., Usher, E., Updates from the DiverseCornBelt: Enhancing Rural Resilience through Landscape Diversity in the Midwest Soil and Water Conservation Society Conference, August 6-9, 2023. Des Moines, IA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Asprooth L., Usher, E., Expanding Crop Rotation Options and the Diverse Corn Belt Project. Illinois Indiana Extension Climate Series. August 24, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4nk2Nefnk4
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Ackah, R., Spaulding, A. (2023). Sustainability & Diversification Practices & Demands of the US Fresh Produce & Food Retail Industry. Illinois State University Research Symposium April 14th, 2023. Bloomington, IL
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Asprooth, L., Prokopy, L., Maynard, E., Traldi, R., Usher, E., Torres, A., Ulloa Gomez, M. Diversifying the Corn Belt: Is There a Role for Horticultural Food Crops? American Horticultural Society, July 2023. Orland, Florida.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Arbuckle, J. 2022. Farmer Perspectives on 4R Plus, Cover Crops, and Soil Health. Extension Report SOC3103. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Extension.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Brighenti, T.A., P.W. Gassman, K.E. Schilling, R. Srinivasan, M. Liebman and J.R. Thompson. 2022. Evaluation of multiple baseline SWAT simulations for the Des Moines River and Skunk River Watersheds in central Iowa. Science of the Total Environment. 839: 156302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156302.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2023 Citation: " Brighenti, T.M., N. �Rerkasova, T.F. Stone, P.W. Gassman, J.G. Arnold, J.R. Kiniry, J.R. Thompson, M. Liebman, M. Meki, R. Srinivasan, A. Nair and M.J. White. 2023. Validation of fruits and vegetable growth parameters for SWAT model crop yield simulations in Iowa. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Brighenti , T.M., P.W. Gassman, W.J. Gutowski and J.R. Thompson. 2023. Accessing the influence of a bias correction method on future climate scenarios using SWAT as an impact model indicator. Water. 15(4): 750. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15040750
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2023 Citation: Brighenti , T.M., P.W. Gassman, W.J. Gutowski and J.R. Thompson. 2023. SWAT model comparison between two methods for calculating tile-drain flow via spatial and temporal calibration. Journal of the ASABE (revised and resubmitted).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Collins, L., Stephenson, K., Palm-Forster, L., Power, L., Gibson, A., Arbuckle, J., Handen, A., and Read, D. 2022. Overcoming the Hurdle: Addressing Implementation of Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) Through a Social Science Lens. STAC Publication Number 22-002, Edgewater, MD. 107


Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:DCB target audiences include: Farmers; agricultural advisors; landowners; food, fiber, biomass retailers; Land Grant University Extension; policy makers/funders; students; educators; researchers. To broadly reach our target audience DCB published two press releases to the media. Upon receiving the grant, DCB published a press release through Purdue University "Purdue awarded $10 million for #DiverseCornBelt project". This press release achieved 25 media placements and reached a total audience of 439,355. To recruit participants and raise awareness of the project, DCB published the press release "Diverse Corn Belt Project Seeks Farmer Input". This press release achieved 19 mentions in conventional and social media and generated 1.41 million impressions. DCB also broadly promoted project activities and concepts through two radio interviews and one podcasts. WGLT: (https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2022-08-22/diverse-corn-belt-project-will-explore-agronomic-and-economic-benefits-of-transformed-crop-rotations) FarmWeek: https://www.farmweeknow.com/eedition/page-a14/page_6d5e Purdue Ag Week, The Future of Ag podcast - Regenerative Agriculture and Diverse Corn Belt - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sustainability-and-regerative-ag-with-michael/id1561692455?i=1000552005331 To target Cooperative Extension, an overview of DCB was shared with the Purdue Extension's Agriculture and Natural Resources team and Diversified Food and Farming Systems team in February, 2022. To target students, DCB team members have supported four undergraduate mentees and have done one guest lecture in an undergraduate class. Changes/Problems:The following changes have occurred Evaluator change: Our project evaluator has changed from Bets McNie to Jean Eells. Citing unforeseen circumstances, Bets stepped down as DCB's evaluator and we have recruited Dr. Jean Eells of E Resources Group to fill the role. Dr. Eells brings a strong evaluation skill set as well as a contextual knowledge of the current agricultural landscape. Stakeholder coordinator hire: A portion of salary designated for extension efforts has been reassigned to support a stakeholder coordinator working on a number of different objectives and reporting to the project PD. The individual had specific skills and experience relevant for this project but the position had not been included in the budget. Their presence on the DCB team is integral to accomplishing short and long-term goals. Co-PD change: Mike Komp left the position of Executive Director of Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) in August 2022. Ryan Heiniger joined CTIC as Executive Director in November and assumed Komp's role on the DCB project. Co-DP addition: Dr. Shadi Atallah has joined the DCB team as a Co-PI from University of Illinois. Dr. Atallah will lead the development of an agent-based model (ABM) of a #DiverseCornBelt. The ABM will feature farmer-agents making decisions to adopt alternative farming systems. Adoption decisions will be based on a choice experiment survey with farmers in the Corn Belt in which farmers will be asked to make hypothetical farming system adoption decisions as a function of market characteristics, adoption by neighbors, and interventions by Extension, and policy. We will use the ABM to model the causes and effects of farming system diversification from the farm to the landscape level and the associated economics environmental, and social outcomes. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?DCB team has shared information and results at a total of 10 presentations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To address objective 1 in year 2, DCB will launch and begin analyzing surveys developed in year 1 (farmers, retailers, and buyers), continue gathering data from participants via interviews and focus groups, and convene DCB's Reimagining Agricultural Diversity (RAD) teams, our long-term stakeholder engagement and visioning group of diverse stakeholders. We will also begin data collection for our on-farm research. To address objective 2 goals, DCB team will continue modeling efforts related to economic and ecosystem impacts of diverse landscape scenarios across the Corn Belt. Objective 3 will not begin until year 3 but the DCB team will continue gathering data and recruiting participants who will contribute to the stakeholder-informed visioning sessions Objective 4 will not occur until year 5 but the DCB team will continue exploring policy opportunities and alternatives through engagement efforts in year 2 of the project. DCB will also continue networking efforts with policy advocates and planning strategies for developing policies that support a more resilient agriculture future in the Corn Belt. To address objective 5 goals in year 2, the DCB team will continue developing relationships with key organizations and stakeholders across the ag value chain to support farm diversification and market development. We will use these relationships to leverage the efforts of our team and support development of organizations who can extend the reach of DCB findings. To accomplish objective 6 goals in year 2 the DCB team will continue development and testing of learning modules for secondary and undergraduate levels. These learning modules will be adaptable and accessible to large learning communities and will prepare the next generation of farmers and ag stakeholders to address emerging challenges and support a more diversified landscape.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In our first year the Diverse Corn Belt team has made considerable progress establishing a foundation for project success. Progress includes administrative accomplishments, stakeholder engagement, and cross-project collaborations. DCB has hired two key positions (Project Manager and Regenerative Ag Coordinator), recruited five graduate students, one post-doc, and established project infrastructure enabling multi-institution and interdisciplinary data sharing, communication, and research. We have convened two in-person All Team meetings (project kick-off meeting in January 2022, and annual meeting in June 2022), and established sub-teams working on project objectives. Both full-team and sub-teams meet monthly (virtual) to discuss progress, updates, and needs. To promote DCB to stakeholders across the Corn Belt we have developed a DCB brand that includes a logo, website, and presentation templates. The website includes key DCB information and updates, and will house DCB products and information throughout the life of the project. DCB has conducted 11 farmer focus groups to understand baseline conditions of attitudes towards diversification and to establish a foundation for knowledge, attitude, and behavior change in the coming four years. Objective 1: Coproduce research and advance market development along the agricultural value chain to identify and address social, economic, agronomic, and environmental barriers to the adoption of diverse sustainable agricultural systems. To address objective 1 the DCB team conducted 11 focus groups in IN (7), IL (2), IA (1) with 53 participants. Participants included diversified farmers (66%), not diversified farmers (19%), and non-farmers (15%).Non farmers included consultants, advisors, lenders, and educators. The focus groups gathered information from about their farming operation, perceptions of agricultural diversification, and what is working and not working withing the current system. Findings highlighted social, economic, agronomic, and environmental barriers and opportunities for a more diversified agriculture system. The focus groups also helped DCB identify farmer cooperators interested in participating in future DCB activities, specifically DCB's Reimagining Agricultural Diversity (RAD) teams, a long-term stakeholder engagement and visioning group. The DCB team is developing field work protocols for biophysical data collection and recruiting participants for on-farm data collection. This work will characterize the conditions and extent to which a diversified system impacts indicators of biophysical sustainably, compared to non-diversified system. Biophysical measures include soil health, insect biodiversity, and water quality. To explore market development across the agricultural value chain, DCB is developing surveys for produce growers, retailers, and buyers. To inform survey development, the DCB team is interviewing key market players and conducting a literature review focused on market standards and preferences related to regenerative farming products. The team is also conducting case studies of diverse products to understand how markets develop and perspectives of growers, buyers, and consumers. To further understand farmer perceptions of opportunities and barriers to a more diverse agricultural system, DCB is developing a farmer survey that will be administered to diversified and non-diversified farmers across the Corn Belt. Data from this survey will inform objectives 1, 2, and 3. Objective 2: Model economic and ecosystem impacts of diverse landscape scenarios across the agricultural value chain to develop evidence-based policy recommendations, quantify sustainability metrics and establish conditions required for economic vitality. DCB has identified three watersheds to assess the impacts of diverse cropping systems in the Corn Belt (Middle Des Moines in Iowa, Middle Wabash in Indiana, andEmbarras in Illinois). The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) ecohydrological model will simulate cropping systems and management practices that represent both traditional row crop production versus alternative cropping methods. A SWAT model has already been constructed for the Des Moines River Basin forIowa Urban FEWS, an NSF-funded project. This SWAT model will be leveraged for future DCB cropping system simulations and other relevant analyses. Considerable testing of the model has already occurred. Additional testing and scenario analyses will be conducted within the NSF project that will provide a firm foundation for DCB applications. The DCB team is also developing a spatial and temporal analysis of farm crop and land cover diversity at USDA's Economic Research Service using restricted USDA administrative data. This analysis combines land parcel boundaries with the same operator to increase our understanding of where crop diversity exists and does not exist in today's landscape. This analysis also identifies biophysical or socio-economic factors correlated with both diversity and lack of diversity. This analysis helps DCB identify a baseline of where diversity already exists on the landscape and will be able to speak to common conditions enabling or disabling diversification across the Corn Belt. Objective 3: Design stakeholder-informed alternative production systems by conducting visioning sessions at the local, state, and national levels that allow participants to consider ethical choices and sustainability outcomes. Although objective 3 is planned to occur in years 4 and 5 of the project, the DCB team is conducting key research in objectives 1 and 2 to inform the development of future scenarios of alternative production systems. Objective 4: Develop and disseminate policy guidance to achieve resilient intensification through diversified farms, landscapes, and markets. While objective 4 is planned to occur in year 5 of the project, the DCB team has been exploring policy opportunities and alternatives through the coproduction efforts occurring in objective 1. We are also networking with policy advocates and planning a strategy to develop effective policy guidance to support a more diverse and resilient agriculture future for the Corn Belt. Objective 5: Engage with diverse stakeholders through Extension to support farm diversification and market development. The DCB team has been developing relationships with stakeholders across the agricultural value chain by introducing the project and project concepts in the study region and nationally. Objective 6: Create, pilot, and publish educational materials to foster a workforce prepared to respond to emerging challenges and support a diversified landscape. The DCB education team has been developing teaching education modules at the high school and college level. This curriculum will support the development of a workforce prepared to address emerging social and agricultural challenges and support more diverse agricultural landscape. This team meets monthly to discuss pedagogy for learning modules and convened a day-long in-person meeting with the Univ of MN's Center for Educational Innovation to identify student learning outcomes and establish a framework for DCB learning modules.

Publications

  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: www.DiverseCornBelt.org
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Prokopy, Linda. May 2022. Understanding Adoption of Agricultural Conservation Practices. Soil Health Nexus Digital Caf�.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Prokopy, Linda. April 2022. Engaging Farmers in Sustainability Initiatives. Managing the Global Commons: Sustainable Agriculture
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Prokopy, L. #DiverseCornBelt: Imagining a Pathway to a Resilient Future. 2022 Soil and Water Conservation Society National Conference, Denver, Co. July 31, 2022
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Practical Farmers of Iowa, Oat variety trial report, October 2022 https://practicalfarmers.org/research/oat-variety-trial-2022/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Practical Farmers of Iowa, Cereal rye variety trial report, October 2022
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Prokopy, Linda. February 2022. #DiverseCornBelt. Trust in Food Symposium, virtual
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Secci, S. Economic & Land Use Policies to Limit Nutrient Pollution: Perspectives from the Great Lakes and Beyond. Alliance for the Great Lakes, April 4, 2022, virtual event.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Secci, S. Cows, Climate and Culture Wars: Putting Bad Policy Out to Pasture. Center for Biological Diversity, April 7, 2022, virtual event.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: ODonnell, M. Overview of Diverse Corn Belt. Midwest Sustainable Ag Working Group network, April 11, 2022, virtual event.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Prokopy, Linda. July 2022. Engaging Farmers in Sustainability Initiatives: Focus on the Corn Belt. Regenerative Agriculture Group at Google. Online.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Prokopy, Linda. June 2022. The Social Dimension of Agricultural Conservation. NRCS Soil Health Training
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Arbuckle, J.G. Social Science Research Informing Promotion of Soil Health Practices. Bi-State Soil Health Workshop, December 8, 2021. (17)