GREEN BAY, Wis. — Farmers in the Upper Midwest are advancing their sustainable farming efforts, as highlighted in the latest annual conservation survey supported by Farmers for Sustainable Food. The survey results, released today, showcase the conservation practices utilized by farmers across Wisconsin and Minnesota, revealing ongoing progress and positive environmental impacts.

This is the seventh consecutive year of documenting conservation practices with farmer-led groups, showing the farmers’ dedication to ongoing improvement and improving soil and water quality.

In 2024, 257 farmers from seven different farmer-led groups supported by Farmers for Sustainable Food participated in the annual survey, encompassing 278,329 acres and 378,313 head of livestock.

The sustainable practices measured and recorded in the survey include soil sampling, nutrient management planning, cover cropping, reduced tillage, no-tillage, low disturbance manure application, variable rate fertilizer application, split nitrogen application, nitrogen stabilizer and planting green. 

Results show potential environmental improvements due to sustainable farming practices. These conservation efforts provide valuable benefits to climate health, soil health and water quality throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota:

• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 30,839 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, equivalent to the emissions produced by 7,342 cars in a year.
• Prevention of sediment loss from farm fields of 368,948 tons, equivalent to 36,894 dump trucks worth of soil.
• Reduction of phosphorus runoff by 518,898 pounds of phosphorus, potentially preventing 259.5 million pounds of algae growth in local water bodies.

Data was analyzed by Houston Engineering, Inc. 

“Farmers are achieving great progress in sustainable agriculture, and this survey indicates that their dedication is yielding positive results,” Lauren Brey, FSF managing director, said. “We are honored to collaborate with farmer-led conservation groups who are making a significant difference for the environment and their local communities.”

The farmer-led groups participating in the survey include Calumet County Ag Stewardship Alliance, Dodge County Farmers for Healthy Soil Healthy Water, Driftless Area Ag Alliance, Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance, Peninsula Pride Farms, Sheboygan River Progressive Farmers and Western Wisconsin Conservation Council.

For more information about the farmer-led conservation groups supported by FSF, visit farmersforsustainablefood.com.

Images: 

Graphic showing 2024 data

Farmers for Sustainable Food logo

Lauren Brey photo

About Farmers for Sustainable Food: 

Farmers for Sustainable Food is a collaborative, industry-supported effort to promote and support farmer-led solutions to today’s environmental challenges. The nonprofit organization, established in 2016, empowers farmers to develop and implement practical, innovative solutions for environmental, economic and social good. More information: www.FarmersForSustainableFood.com.