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MFAI widens farmer-centered efforts

The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) – along with the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the University of Wisconsin-Madison and several other stakeholders – is committed to broadening knowledge and adoption of soil-health practices through the Soil Health Alliance for Research and Engagement (SHARE).


What impact has collaboration in SHARE had on MFAI’s approach to soil-health research and outreach efforts? Read on and discover!



MFAI’s Dr. Nicole Tautges, research director, and Nolan Burkard, research technician, prepare SHARE-funded research trials.

 

What are the primary objectives of your research project/effort/initiative?


MFAI: The primary objectives of MFAI’s soil-health research through SHARE are to enhance the widespread knowledge and adoption of soil-health practices that balance ecological and economic benefits for farmers across Wisconsin. A core focus includes enhancing soil health through cover cropping, assessing alternative crops to diversify rotations, and building an evidence base that demonstrates benefits such as water retention and nutrient cycling.


Education and outreach are essential, with Year 3 funding supporting initiatives such as personalized reports, workshops, and on-farm field days. Our partnerships with the ARS, UW-Madison and local groups – such as the Uplands Watershed Group – bring extensive expertise to our efforts. This collaboration enriches our work, allowing us to reach underserved communities and support the widespread adoption of best practices across Wisconsin’s diverse agricultural landscape.


What do you want farmers/other stakeholders to know about your project/effort/initiative?


MFAI: Our SHARE-funded projects are designed as collaborative, farmer-centered initiatives emphasizing knowledge-sharing and practical applications of soil health. Through our work with underserved communities – including leading the Midwest Farmers of Color Soil Health Network – our goal is to provide data and support that farmers can use directly in their operations. 



MFAI Board President Una VanDuval (far left) and Urban Food Systems Specialist Noemy Serano (far right) pose with partners at a Milwaukee Urban Agriculture Network event.


SHARE projects deliver tailored resources – including individualized reports, workshops, and outreach materials – that are accessible and relevant across different agricultural environments. This farmer-centered, community-driven approach fosters a network of support for soil health, strengthening Wisconsin’s agricultural sustainability.


What’s something new you’ve learned through your current SHARE-funded project or the SHARE collaboration itself?


MFAI: Through SHARE, we’ve learned that region-specific recommendations are essential, especially in a state as diverse as Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Cover Crop Data Network, a SHARE-funded project that engages more than 100 farmers across 60 counties, has shown us how cover-crop biomass and nutrient outcomes vary between regions, underscoring the need for localized guidance.


We’ve also seen the importance of community networks for outreach because many farmers trust local sources, such as neighbors and producer-led groups, for soil-health information. These insights highlight the value of community-led educational efforts that build practical, regionally relevant knowledge, guiding our outreach to better serve both rural and urban farmers.



A cutaway shows winter rye roots in spring at the UW-Arlington Agricultural Research Station. Healthy soils improve water retention, support biodiversity, and reduce erosion, all of which are essential for long-term sustainability, MFAI says. Photo: UW-Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems


Does the SHARE collaboration affect your approach to soil-health research or effort? If so, in what way(s)?


MFAI: Yes, the SHARE collaboration has significantly expanded our approach to soil health. SHARE’s model encourages us to frame soil-health practices not only as beneficial to individual farms but as integral to community resilience and environmental health.


Through SHARE, we reach underserved communities with tailored support and extend our outreach capacity to host workshops, field days, and peer exchanges. These events, informed by data and peer experiences, foster a collective understanding of soil health’s benefits across Wisconsin’s diverse farming communities.


Why are you interested in soil health?


MFAI: Soil health is central to MFAI’s mission because it underpins sustainable farming, ecological resilience, and community wellbeing. Healthy soils improve water retention, support biodiversity, and reduce erosion, all of which are essential for long-term sustainability. By focusing on soil health, MFAI helps farmers build resilient systems that support the environment, enhance productivity, and align with community-wide sustainability goals.


Why are you interested in SHARE?


MFAI: SHARE is valuable to MFAI because it facilitates collaboration with ARS, UW-Madison, and farmer networks to generate, test, and share practical soil-health solutions. SHARE’s structure supports education and outreach, helping us to develop reports, materials, and events that translate research into actionable insights. Through SHARE, we engage communities often excluded from conservation efforts, ensuring our research supports all farmers and reflects real-world challenges and successes across Wisconsin’s landscapes.



Cereal rye, a popular cover crop in Wisconsin, germinates in standing corn. As a demonstration tool in field days, cover cropping offers farmers a firsthand view of sustainable soil management in action, MFAI says. Photo: Gregg Sanford, UW-Madison Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences


What’s your favorite soil health practice (and why)?


MFAI: Cover cropping – especially multispecies mixes including legumes – is our favorite soil-health practice due to its educational versatility and numerous ecological benefits. Cover crops prevent erosion, improve organic matter, enhance nutrient cycling, and support biodiversity. As a demonstration tool in field days and workshops, cover cropping offers farmers a firsthand view of sustainable soil management in action, building resilience and sustainability across Wisconsin’s agricultural landscape. Through these practices, we engage farmers in hands-on learning that directly supports Wisconsin’s soil health and agricultural future.

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