In 2011, the Wallace Center led a planning process that assessed trends in supply and demand and barriers and opportunities along the supply chain to the increased production and consumption of grass-based beef and dairy in the Mississippi River watershed.  A 13-member Planning Committee comprised of leading industry figures, agency representatives and supply chain experts provided direction to the project that has resulted in a comprehensive Implementation Plan, starting in 2012.

Goals for the next phase of the Pasture Project are to test and refine the strategies developed during the planning process, expand regional support for this project, and ultimately, reduce the impact of agriculture on water quality in the watershed by addressing barriers to the expansion of grass-based systems in the Midwest.

High levels of nutrient runoff from conventional farming practices are finding their way into surface water in the Upper Midwest (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois), and are making their way down the Mississippi River and contributing to increased algal growth.  Agricultural nutrient applications and their surface runoff can be reduced by expanding alternative farming and ranching practices in the Mississippi River watershed.  In particular, transitioning land to productive pasture management is very effective at reducing both the need for nutrient applications and reducing nutrient loss from the system.

phase i FINAL REPORT

Read the project's Phase I Final Report.

Funders

The Walton Family Foundation
Schmidt Family Foundation