About the Project

View the CSCAP informational handout

Summary

A transdisciplinary team from 10 Midwestern Land Grant Universities and one USDA Agricultural Research Service laboratory is focusing on mitigation and adaptation strategies within corn-based cropping systems in response to long-term weather variability. A network of 26 sites across the region provides baseline measurements on greenhouse gases, carbon, nitrogen and water usage. The team is assessing the dominant corn-soybean rotation and a variety of crop management practices including tillage, cover crops, extended crop rotations, drainage water management and nitrogen management techniques. Data from each site are recorded in a central database and available to all team members.

Researchers are applying physical, climatic, and socio-economic models to derive the data's "real world" implications. Team members are studying social and economic findings, working directly with producers and stakeholders to develop crop management practices that consider climate uncertainty and environmental sustainability. Researchers are also assessing the data's social role and how changes in public policy could affect the models. Extension and education will transfer what the team learns to science teachers and farmers.

Objectives

1. Develop standardized methodologies and perform baseline monitoring of carbon, nitrogen and water footprints at agricultural test sites across the Midwest.
2. Evaluate how crop management practices impact carbon, nitrogen and water footprints at test sites.
3. Apply models to research data and climate scenarios to identify impacts and outcomes that could affect the sustainability and economic vitality of corn-based cropping systems.
4. Gain knowledge of farmer beliefs and concerns about climate change, attitudes toward adaptative and mitigative strategies and practices, and decision support needs to inform the development of tools and practices that support long-term sustainability of crop production.
5. Promote extension, outreach and stakeholder learning and participation across all aspects of the program.
6. Train the next generation of scientists, develop science education curricula and promote learning opportunities for high school teachers and students.

Participants

Ten land grant universities and one USDA Agricultural Research Service laboratory are participating in this project. These 11 institutions represent nine states in the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin).

• Iowa State University
• Lincoln University
• Michigan State University
• The Ohio State University
• Purdue University
• South Dakota State University
• University of Illinois
• University of Minnesota
• University of Missouri
• University of Wisconsin
• USDA Agricultural Research Service – Columbus, Ohio

This innovative project is a true partnership among USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Agriculture Research Service and the North Central Region land grant universities to promote the productivity and ecosystem resilience of corn-based cropping systems. Participants are placing a strong emphasis in creating connections among their research, working with producers to encourage resilient decision-making, and training the next generation of scientists to work collaboratively and across disciplines.

The team is comprised of biophysical and social scientists including soil scientists, agronomists, entomologists, plant pathologists, sociologists, economists, agricultural engineers, crop modelers and climatologists as well as classroom educators and extension specialists. This project directly involves farmers and local watershed groups across the region who are actively engaged in co-learning with the scientific team.

Investigators

Click for more information about each objective's scientists and staff: Obj. 1 & 2; Obj. 3; Obj. 4; Obj. 5; Obj. 6; Operations team.

Advisory Board

Click here for more information about the project's advisory board.

Project Narrative

Click here to view the full project narrative (pdf).