MFAI Agroecologist Presents Next-Generation Agricultural Crops to National Policymakers
On November 5, MFAI Agroecologist Nicole Tautges presented information in a national advocacy briefing, Next Generation Ag Crops: Clean Water and Prosperous Farms on the environmental and community benefits of incentivizing and supporting the next-generation crops Kernza(R) and winter oilseeds to national policymaker staffers, advocating for their funding in the upcoming Farm Bill legislation. In the seminar, Dr. Tautges described research showing that Kernza(R) can reduce agricultural nitrate pollution by 99% compared to corn, filtering and cleaning groundwater and preserving water drinking quality for the rural community. For the winter oilseeds pennycress and camelina, she described how planting these crops in the fall can reduce phosphorus runoff compared to other cover crops and winter fallow, discouraging algal blooms and preserving lake and river water quality.
Other presenters in the seminar examined economic/environmental potential of these crops, identified federal policy barriers and opportunities for advancing market-based “continuous living cover” solutions in the Upper Midwest, and explored pathways to inform federal action - including development of the 2023 Farm Bill.
The policy briefing was attended by staffers of federal Senate and House members in Washington, D.C., deciding what initiatives they will support as the 2023 Farm Bill is drafted. Get in touch with your own federal and state representatives to lend your support to crafting agriculture and food systems that preserve water quality and the health of your communities.
This event was hosted by the KernzaⓇ CAP Project Team, in partnership with the Healing Our Waters Coalition, Minnesota Environmental Partnership, and Friends of the Mississippi River. For more information about KernzaⓇ CAP partners, events, research findings and more, please visit: kernza.org/kernzacap