By Andi Anderson
The Ohio State University has embarked on a pioneering mission to transform agriculture in the Midwest through a $10 million grant provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
This substantial funding supports a project aimed at advancing climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs) to address the pressing challenges of climate change, soil health degradation, water quality, and biodiversity loss.
Led by Douglas Jackson-Smith, a professor and holder of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Endowed Chair in Agricultural Ecosystems Management, the project employs a bottom-up approach.
This method prioritizes direct collaboration with farmers in Ohio and Missouri—states that exemplify varied natural environments and the impacts of climate variability. “This is an unprecedented investment by the USDA in a farmer-led response to address water quality and carbon sequestration challenges in agriculture,” stated Jackson-Smith.
The initiative is part of the USDA’s flagship Sustainable Agricultural Systems program and is designed to foster innovative farming techniques that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance carbon storage, and improve resilience to climate changes.
Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president of agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), emphasized the importance of this investment: “This transformative investment by USDA allows us to cultivate enduring partnerships and advance new collaborations with farmers in Ohio and the Midwest, driving innovation to support the resilience and viability of agriculture within its ecosystems.”
Key components of the project include engaging farmers in the design and innovation of CSAPs and providing opportunities for students to learn through on-farm research and community collaborations. Jackson-Smith highlighted the focus on practical, real-world applications: “With this investment, we will spur innovation clusters where farmers themselves identify and overcome logistical, agronomic and economic barriers that make it difficult for them to use conservation practices.”
The program also involves partnerships with Central State University, the University of Missouri, Lincoln University Missouri, and Solutions from the Land.
By integrating educational efforts with hands-on application, the project not only aims to solve immediate agricultural challenges but also to train the next generation of agricultural professionals in effective, sustainable practices.
Photo Credit: ohio-state-university
Categories: Ohio, Education