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Producer-led groups increase conservation practices by 43 percent

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The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has released the 2022-2023 impact report for its Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant Program. The report shows that conservation practices among producer-led groups in the program increased by 43% from 2022 to 2023. These practices help reduce soil erosion and phosphorus loss from farm fields, ensuring that nutrients go into farmers' crops instead of local water sources.



“Wisconsin's abundant soil and water resources are important to the success of our state's $116.3 billion agriculture industry," said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “The producer-led program, and the conservation initiatives implemented by farmers in the program, continue to have a measurable impact. This helps preserve and protect soil health and water quality throughout the state."


The report highlights the ways the producer-led program helps increase the use of conservation practices across farmland. In 2023, there were 2,016 farmer members participating in producer-led groups that operate 782,674 acres of Wisconsin cropland.


These groups conducted 182 outreach events to fellow farmers and community members, reaching 11,962 attendees regarding numerous conservation and water quality topics in agriculture.


The groups also started and maintained 93 on-farm demonstration and research projects. These projects help farmers, landowners, and agricultural professionals learn and implement new soil health strategies and conservation systems. The accompanying table shows examples of 2023 producer-led demonstration projects.


Examples of 2023 producer-led demonstration projects.
Examples of 2023 producer-led demonstration projects.

The total reported conservation practice acreage increased to 1.5 million acres in 2023, up from 1.1 million acres in 2022. More specifically, the program saw:


·         29% increase in acres covered by a nutrient management plan

·         15% increase in acres managed using no-till practices

·         2% increase in cropland receiving cover crops


DATCP has awarded more than $7.2 million to 52 groups in watersheds across the state since its inception in 2015. Grant projects have focused on providing conservation education to farmers, conducting on-farm demonstrations and research, issuing incentive payments for implementing conservation practices, organizing field days, and gathering data on soil health and water quality.





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Soil Health Alliance for Research and Engagement
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