Progress report for ONC24-146
Project Information
Amidst the pressing need for
climate action in the lush, high-rainfall regions of the American
Midwest, the nonprofit, Kalona Regenerative Network (KRN), is
dedicated to forging a future where farmland has deep
soil with no erosion, clear water, and increasing biodiversity
while production is occurring. This proposed endeavor integrates a
groundbreaking approach that enhances profits
and holistic success, dispelling uncertainties
around the financial feasibility of addressing ecological
concerns through systematic monitoring.
Supporting predominantly Amish
dairy producers across the Midwest, KRN is catalyzing
sustainability in the dairy industry by offering dairy producers
an innovative premium market pathway. This pathway incentivizes
adoption of contextually relevant, regenerative practices that
enhance ecological health, ensuring economic viability while
addressing local challenges. The project empowers farmers through
ecological outcome verification (EOV) monitoring, fostering
confidence in their ability to drive positive ecological changes
that lead to improved profitability. Initially driven by market
incentives, farmers' empowerment will eventually catalyze
grassroots adoption of regenerative practices, preserving the
Midwest's agricultural fabric and economic vitality.
Expected outcomes include:
improved landbase EOV scores, increased farmer confidence in
decision-making, and establishment of a reference point for
impacts of regenerative methods in the dairy industry -
sparking curiosity and awareness
amongst farmers and consumers.
OBJECTIVE 1
Provide a premium market pathway
and support Midwest dairy farmers to incentivize managing for
improved ecological health.
OUTPUTS
1A Conduct EOV monitoring on 56
dairy farms.
1B Quarterly visits with
participating farmers establishing a baseline for, and
continually gauging, farmer optimism, openness to addressing
ecological concerns, and perception of their social and financial
situations.
OBJECTIVE 2
Draw conclusions to inform next
steps for KRN (and other networks) to improve farmer social,
financial, and environmental well-being and better understand how
the three pillars impact one another.
OUTPUTS
2A Written summaries
2B Findings disseminated locally,
within industry, and to consumers
Cooperators
- - Technical Advisor (Educator)
Research
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Kalona Regenerative Network hosted and or was involved in the following for 2024:
- Six presentations. These presentations focused on primarily supporting those dairyment that were already implementing regenerative ag and needed ongoing support with EOV scores and monitoring. However, time was also allowed for helping organic dairymen that were seeking more information concerning regenerative ag and the market/production benefits from adopting those practices.
- Six pasture/farm walks: These walks were designed to help interpret environmental indications as they were happening in real time with the intent to assist the farmer in understanding what was happening on the ground and what management techniques or approaches would be the most beneficial in implementing. These pastures walks were extremely helpful
- Two farm tours in partnership with the Iowa Organic Association: These farm tours were designed to encourage farmers to consider organic transition, and served as an introduction to regenerative dairy.
- One webinar presenting to prospective Kansas dairy producers that might want to convert to Organic: this webinar was designed to introduce prospective conventional dairymen to consider the benefits of transition, in terms of land and operational health and potential financial gains.
All of the activities were geared to support current organic dairymen that were either wanting to move into regenerative ag dairy (and hence EOV monitoring), or were currently implementing regenerative dairy already and needed on-going support, or even some producers that were contemplating the move to organic dairy as a first step.
Learning Outcomes
Financial planning
Ecological monitoring skills to include pasture assessment and the techniques/skills necessary to make improvements
Quality of life assessment, personal goal development, personal context development
Regenerative grazing
Project Outcomes
The project is a two year project. We are at the start of our 2nd year. We will be finishing up our work and assessing the outcomes this year, along with developing the final report. No final project outcomes to report at this time.
Most of the current success stories revolve around organic dairymen located in Kalona and Bloomfield Iowa. There is a core group of like-minded producers that see the value of regenerative agriculture, particularly as it pertains to organic dairy, and are implementing the principles while experiencing a steep learning curve. Their willingness to serve as "guinea pigs" has enabled others to observe outcomes and begin the process of adopting these practices themselves.
Regenerative agriculture is a new paradigm that will sweep through organic dairy in particular at some point. The customer WILL demand it. The sooner producers realize this, the sooner they can begin the process of implementing practices, adjusting to initial outcomes, and progress along the path of success.
The SARE grant funds have enabled us to implement EOV monitoring and supplement other funds to help train farmers in these practices.