By Andi Anderson
The Ohio State University and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have formed a new partnership to explore innovative ways of improving farm profitability while supporting the health of the Great Lakes. The initiative will combine environmental data, economic analysis, behavioral science, and trusted agricultural advisory networks to help farmers make informed land management decisions.
The three-year project, beginning in 2027, is led by Robyn Wilson, Professor of Risk Analysis and Decision Science at The Ohio State University School of Environment and Natural Resources and Sustainability Institute Affiliate. The project has received $1.52 million in funding from the Great Lakes Protection Fund and will focus on two important watersheds: Ohio’s Maumee River Basin, which feeds Lake Erie, and Wisconsin’s Fox River Basin, which drains into Lake Michigan.
The research team aims to help farmers evaluate profitability across entire farms rather than focusing only on crop yields from individual fields. Many farms contain areas that consistently produce strong returns, while others may experience flooding, erosion, or poor productivity. Researchers will use detailed economic and environmental data to identify underperforming acres where conservation practices may provide greater value than traditional crop production.
Potential alternatives include establishing wetlands, filter strips, or pollinator habitats. In some cases, farmers may continue crop production while adopting practices such as cover crops, reduced tillage, or alternative crop selections. These strategies could improve both economic returns and environmental outcomes.
“Farmers face growing pressure to remain profitable in an increasingly uncertain climate, while agricultural land management continues to play a critical role in achieving societal goals for water quality and climate mitigation," says Wilson. "We know farmers want to be good stewards of the land, and identifying practices that benefit both their bottom line and the environment can be challenging. Our data-driven approach, developed in partnership with trusted advisors, aims to help farmers find those win-win solutions - improving profitability while protecting the natural resources we all depend on.”
A major component of the project focuses on collaboration with agricultural service providers, including agronomists, agricultural retailers, and crop advisors. Since these professionals are trusted sources of information for farmers, researchers believe they can play a key role in encouraging practical conservation solutions.
The project will also evaluate how and why farmers adopt new practices and whether those decisions continue over time. Researchers hope to develop business models and tools that integrate conservation into everyday farm management decisions.
“Helping farmers uncover value in every acre starts with the people they trust most," says Ryan Stockwell, director of TNC’s North America Regenerative Crop Systems Strategy. "This project builds on years of work by TNC - including through the recent Farmer Advisor Roadmap - supporting trusted advisors to guide on-farm decisions for the benefit of farmers and the environment. Alongside The Ohio State University, we’ll explore new ways to help farmers improve whole-farm profitability while delivering lasting benefits for Great Lakes water quality.”
The team aims to transition 4,000 acres of marginal farmland into conservation-focused management practices by 2029. If successful, the approach could be expanded throughout the Great Lakes Basin, creating broader environmental and economic benefits.
The initiative seeks to address ongoing challenges related to nutrient runoff, sediment loss, harmful algal blooms, and habitat degradation. By improving management of less productive farmland, researchers hope to reduce environmental impacts while strengthening farm profitability.
“This project demonstrates how the science of sustainability is really about finding win-wins,” said Josh Knights, managing director of Ohio State’s Sustainability Institute. “And research is the key to unlocking how we can help the bottom line of farmers and strengthen the ecological systems that lead to better water quality for everyone.”
Through collaboration among researchers, conservation organizations, agricultural advisors, and farmers, the project aims to create practical solutions that support both productive farms and healthier Great Lakes ecosystems for the future.
Photo Credit: ohio-state-university
Categories: Ohio, Sustainable Agriculture