Farmers in the Upper Midwest are advancing their sustainability efforts. The data is in the latest annual conservation survey supported by Farmers for Sustainable Food. The survey results showcase the conservation practices used by farmers across Wisconsin and Minnesota. It reveals ongoing progress and positive environmental impacts.
This is the seventh consecutive year of documenting conservation practices with farmer-led groups.
In 2024, 257 farmers from seven different farmer-led groups supported by Farmers for Sustainable Food participated in the annual survey. It encompassed 278,329 acres and 378,313 head of livestock.
The sustainable practices measured and recorded in the survey include:
- soil sampling
- nutrient management planning
- cover cropping
- reduced tillage
- no-tillage
- low disturbance manure application
- variable rate fertilizer application
- split nitrogen application
- nitrogen stabilizer
- planting green
Results show potential environmental improvements due to sustainable farming practices. These conservation efforts provide valuable benefits to climate health, soil health, and water quality throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota:
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 30,839 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, equivalent to the emissions produced by 7,342 cars in a year.
- Prevention of sediment loss from farm fields of 368,948 tons, equivalent to 36,894 dump trucks worth of soil.
- Reduction of phosphorus runoff by 518,898 pounds of phosphorus, potentially preventing 259.5 million pounds of algae growth in local water bodies.
Houston Engineering, Inc. analyzed the data.
“Farmers are achieving great progress in sustainable agriculture, and this survey indicates that their dedication is yielding positive results,” says FSF Director Lauren Brey. “We are honored to collaborate with farmer-led conservation groups who are making a significant difference for the environment and their local communities.”
The farmer-led groups participating in the survey include:
- Calumet County Ag Stewardship Alliance
- Dodge County Farmers for Healthy Soil, Healthy Water
- Driftless Area Ag Alliance
- Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance
- Peninsula Pride Farms
- Sheboygan River Progressive Farmers
- Western Wisconsin Conservation Council
