By Scout Nelson
The Conservation Cropping Systems Project (CCSP) helps farmers in southeast North Dakota explore and adopt conservation practices directly on their own farms. With support from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the project is moving beyond traditional research demonstrations and bringing conservation solutions closer to producers.
“CCSP is going to help farmers answer their conservation questions by setting up small research areas on their cropland,” says Matt Olson, CCSP technician and 319 Watershed Coordinator in Forman, North Dakota.
CCSP began in 1999 with support from the North Dakota Department of Health 319 Program, local Soil Conservation Districts, community partners, and other organizations. The project originally operated a 130-acre research farm near Forman, where researchers studied practices such as no-till farming, strip-till systems, crop rotations, and cover crops.
Over the years, the research helped identify conservation methods that worked well in the region. However, many farmers wanted to know if these practices would be successful on their own farms. This led CCSP to create a new approach focused on, on-farm research projects.
“Now, we work directly with farmers on four-year research projects, which they can maintain as long as they want because the project is set up on their land,” Olson says. “Instead of inviting farmers to see what we’ve done on 130 acres in the area, we work right alongside them on their operation.”
The new approach also allows livestock to be included in conservation demonstrations. Farmers can test practices that combine crops, cover crops, and grazing systems while learning how these methods affect their operations.
One of the first projects was started with a Dickey County farmer. The project included 50 acres of cropland, with 30 acres planted in a diverse season-long cover crop. Cattle grazed the cover crop in sections, while another area used rye planted into standing corn. The long-term results will help compare different farming systems.
CCSP plans to continue developing more on-farm research projects. The goal is to help farmers understand conservation practices, improve soil health, support livestock production, and create more sustainable farm operations.
“The crux of our program is seeking out farmers with questions and working through CCSP to answer those questions,” Olson says. “What are farmers curious about? That’s the question we’re seeking to answer.”
“We expect this program to have lasting benefits,” Olson says.
Photo Credit: usda-nrcs
Categories: North Dakota, Crops, Government & Policy, Livestock