Farmer Led Native Vegetation Plantings for Gully Erosion Mitigation, Runoff Control, and Habitat Enhancement at Cropfield-Woodland Edges

Commodities

Practices

Gully erosion and runoff are widespread problems on ridgetop farms in the Driftless region of southwest Wisconsin, where steep slopes and abrupt transitions from cropland to woodland create highly vulnerable field-edge zones. These areas often experience soil loss far above tolerable standards, reducing fertility and long-term productivity and increasing fertilizer costs for farmers. Deep-rooted native vegetation offers a low-cost option to stabilize soils, slow runoff, and improve habitat.

Four farmers will work with Valley Stewardship Network (VSN) and research partners to reshape eroded channels, remove shallow-rooted woody vegetation, and establish native vegetation plantings in these transition zones. Farmers will design treatments, prepare seedbeds, and carry out monitoring. At each site, farmers will work with partners to measure water infiltration, erosion, hydrology, and pollinator communities, comparing project areas with non-project control areas and with a nearby established prairie planting.

Project results will be shared through a field day, printed fact sheets, and an informational video demonstrating practical methods for gully repair and prevention. By testing and promoting native vegetation plantings in these erosion-prone areas, the project will give farmers effective, low-cost tools that reduce soil loss, improve flood resilience, and support long-term farm profitability.

The objectives of this project are to 1) reduce gully erosion and runoff on four working farms by reshaping eroded channels, removing shallow-rooted woody vegetation, and establishing deep-rooted native plantings; 2) train farmers to monitor water infiltration, erosion, and pollinator use in cropland to woodland transition zones; 3) use monitoring data to evaluate the effectiveness and costs of these practices; and 4) share results and encourage wider adoption through printed materials, an educational video, and a field-based outreach event that highlights practical methods for gully remediation and long-term soil and water protection.