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“From The Ground Up” project focuses on real-world conservation results

A farmer-led research project aims to improve the performance of conservation practices in the Midwest.

Many farmers across Ohio and Missouri have been taking part in “From The Ground Up”, a five-year USDA funded initiative that involves researchers from Central State University, Ohio State University, the University of Missouri, and Lincoln University of Missouri.

Project director Dr. Doug Jackson-Smith at Ohio State University tells Brownfield the participating farmers are trying to improve conservation outcomes under working farm conditions.

“It really goes back to a broad concern that is everywhere across the country about the lack of widespread adoption of practices that scientists think should be a benefit to farmers, especially in the conservation space,” Jackson-Smith said.

Missouri farmer Susan Jaster is a regenerative sheep rancher, and has experience with Lincoln University assisting producers with adaptive grazing, high tunnels, small ruminants, poultry, soil health, regenerative ag practices, and the Missouri AgrAbility project. She says the research on her farm focuses on cover crops and how to get more farmers involved in the practice.

“We’ve had a year under our belts and we’re going to change a few things, but maybe keep some of it the same. I think that’s what interested me, it’s farmer led and we can make it practical for our individual farms.”

Kris Swartz is a fifth-generation farmer from Ohio. His family’s farm encompasses 2,000 acres in Wood County growing corn, soybeans, seed beans, and three varieties of wheat. Swartz says this is a first-of-its-kind project where farmers are playing a central role in reviewing results from the previous year and making decisions about research methods for each field season.

“My node is grain,” Swartz said. “We have pasture nodes and urban farming nodes. I think there’s some cross pollination and we’re going to learn as much from the group in Dayton that’s doing urban gardening with cover crops as I’d learn from the grain guys. I think this is a win-win-win all the way around.”

Jackson-Smith says his team is also working with partners at Solutions from the Land to improve support for the use of conservation practices, and to identify ways to change policies and market incentives to meet the needs of farmers using conservation practices.

Jackson-Smith adds that the research effort is necessary due to growing concerns regarding a decline in soil quality, biodiversity, and water quality.

A roundtable discussion with participating farmers and project coordinators can be viewed below: