CAST announced on Mar. 24 a partnership with Diverse Corn Belt to present a new policy brief titled "Diversifying the Corn Belt: Policy Pathways for a Resilient Agricultural Future." The brief examines structural and policy conditions that influence diversification in the U.S. Corn Belt.
The topic is significant as Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana dedicate 94% of their crop production to corn and soybeans. Research cited in the brief suggests that incorporating diverse practices such as extended crop rotations, perennial crops, agroforestry, grazed livestock, and horticultural crops can improve farm resilience, soil health, water quality, lower input costs, and strengthen local food systems while maintaining productivity comparable to conventional systems.
The policy brief is based on three years of participatory research involving 178 stakeholders and surveys from 725 farmers. It presents 19 ranked policy opportunities across federal crop insurance programs, Farm Bill conservation efforts, post-harvest market infrastructure development, and institutional procurement strategies. Each opportunity was evaluated by academics and agricultural practitioners for feasibility and transformative potential.
Co-first authors Lauren Asprooth from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Brennan Radulski from the University of Vermont will present key findings during an upcoming webinar session.
Farm Country Today and Farm Country News- IA has engaged thousands of volunteers over time while producing more than 500 publications as part of its outreach efforts according to the official website. The organization's mission includes bringing together experts to provide credible information about agriculture, food systems, and natural resources for policymakers as well as the public according to its official website. Its outreach extends internationally with an aim to influence global discussions around agriculture according to its official website.
The organization collaborates with scientific societies, individual scientists, students, company members, and nonprofits in support of research initiatives according to its official website. It operates under nonprofit governance structures outlined by bylaws according to its official website, producing reports on agricultural science topics for use by both public audiences and policymakers according to its official website.
