In America’s Heartland, the Midwest, fertile soils help farmers produce abundant harvests of soybeans and grain crops such as corn, wheat, and oats. Much of this harvest is transported down the Mississippi River in order to reach its final destination.
In the Midwest, AFT works with farmers, landowners, and conservation partners to promote the use of Conservation Cropping Systems to improve the health of our soils and protect them from water and wind erosion. Over time, these improvements reduce the environmental impacts while improving farm profitability by increasing nutrient efficiency, reducing sediment and nutrient losses, and making farms more resilient to extreme weather conditions. Healthy soils full of life can hang onto life-giving carbon, nutrients, and water, making it available for our crops and helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
In addition to working with farmers and landowners, we also support the implementation of conservation by quantifying outcomes of soil health practices to prove “they work.” We encourage non-operating landowners— especially the growing percentage of women landowners—to engage with their farmers about adopting these win-win conservation practices.
Why are Midwest farms and ranches so important?
Productive Soils
The lush prairies that once covered the region created some of the most fertile soils in the world. Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana are the only U.S. states with more than half of their farmland being the best—most fertile and productive—land. (Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS)
Productive Soils
The lush prairies that once covered the region created some of the most fertile soils in the world. Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana are the only U.S. states with more than half of their farmland being the best—most fertile and productive—land. (Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS)
The Economy
The U.S. economy is hinged to the agricultural exports of the Midwest. The economic stimulus from trade-related activities is greatest for this region, with agricultural exports totaling over $86 billion.
The Economy
The U.S. economy is hinged to the agricultural exports of the Midwest. The economic stimulus from trade-related activities is greatest for this region, with agricultural exports totaling over $86 billion.
The Food We Eat
The Midwest is America’s heartland, growing much of our corn, soybeans, and livestock. The amount of corn used for ethanol production increased substantially between 2001 and 2010, as nearly all gasoline was transitioned to 10 percent ethanol. The Midwest is also a major producer of vegetables. Illinois ranks number one in pumpkins and horseradish; Indiana and Ohio are major producers of canned tomatoes.
The Food We Eat
The Midwest is America’s heartland, growing much of our corn, soybeans, and livestock. The amount of corn used for ethanol production increased substantially between 2001 and 2010, as nearly all gasoline was transitioned to 10 percent ethanol. The Midwest is also a major producer of vegetables. Illinois ranks number one in pumpkins and horseradish; Indiana and Ohio are major producers of canned tomatoes.
The Environment
Midwest farms provide a number of ecological benefits, from providing habitat for many species of wildlife to filtering drinking water and protecting against flooding.
The Environment
Midwest farms provide a number of ecological benefits, from providing habitat for many species of wildlife to filtering drinking water and protecting against flooding.
What are the challenges?
Water Quality
One of the greatest challenges in the Midwest is the loss of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fields to farm ditches and eventually streams and rivers, where they can cause local algae blooms and fish kills. These fugitive nutrients eventually make their way to the Gulf of Mexico and are a major contributor to one of the largest dead zones in the world.
Water Quality
One of the greatest challenges in the Midwest is the loss of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fields to farm ditches and eventually streams and rivers, where they can cause local algae blooms and fish kills. These fugitive nutrients eventually make their way to the Gulf of Mexico and are a major contributor to one of the largest dead zones in the world.
Soil Health and Erosion
In times of heavy rains, millions of tons of precious topsoil can be lost. We work directly with farmers and their advisors to help them adopt a systems approach towards conservation that regenerates life in the soil, improving its ability to absorb and hang onto water and nutrients, keeping them for our crops.
Soil Health and Erosion
In times of heavy rains, millions of tons of precious topsoil can be lost. We work directly with farmers and their advisors to help them adopt a systems approach towards conservation that regenerates life in the soil, improving its ability to absorb and hang onto water and nutrients, keeping them for our crops.
Leased Land and Non-farming Landowners
Over half the farmland in the Midwest is leased, and much of this leased land is owned by people who do not farm. The farmers who rent this farmland often can’t afford or don’t have the power, to make long-term investments in conservation without supportive landowners.
Leased Land and Non-farming Landowners
Over half the farmland in the Midwest is leased, and much of this leased land is owned by people who do not farm. The farmers who rent this farmland often can’t afford or don’t have the power, to make long-term investments in conservation without supportive landowners.
Changing Climate
Farmers are already feeling the effects of a changing climate in the form of more extreme temperature swings and precipitation cycles. Rainfall events are heavier and more frequent, and they do not come at predictable times. While farmers are accustomed to managing their farms at the whims of Mother Nature, these unpredictable and extreme weather events make sound stewardship of farmland even harder.
Changing Climate
Farmers are already feeling the effects of a changing climate in the form of more extreme temperature swings and precipitation cycles. Rainfall events are heavier and more frequent, and they do not come at predictable times. While farmers are accustomed to managing their farms at the whims of Mother Nature, these unpredictable and extreme weather events make sound stewardship of farmland even harder.
Loss of Diversity
Over 75 percent of the arable land in the Midwest is under corn and soybean production. The lack of diversity in planting dates, crop and cultivar selection, and available pest management options increases the vulnerability of these systems to yield losses due to changes in precipitation patterns and growing season temperatures.
Loss of Diversity
Over 75 percent of the arable land in the Midwest is under corn and soybean production. The lack of diversity in planting dates, crop and cultivar selection, and available pest management options increases the vulnerability of these systems to yield losses due to changes in precipitation patterns and growing season temperatures.
