MO farms go climate-smart - $18M app boosts sustainability

By Blake Jackson

With 95,000 farms, Missouri ranks second in the nation, but changing climate threatens this agricultural legacy. To equip farmers for the future, the University of Missouri (MU) launched the $25 million Missouri CRCL Project, offering eight incentive programs to support climate-smart practices.

But how to reach diverse farmers? Enter the new CRCL app, designed to simplify access to these incentives. Funded by a $650,000 National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant, MU's Kelly Wilson and her team are building an app that's inclusive, user-friendly, and accessible to all Missouri farmers.

"This app removes application hurdles and encourages farmers to participate in vital programs," says Wilson, associate director of MU's Center for Regenerative Agriculture. "By helping farmers adapt to climate change while maintaining profits, we can secure a sustainable future for Missouri agriculture."

The app, launched in summer 2023, will distribute around $18 million to farmers adopting climate-smart practices like:

• Soy-rye and diverse cover crops: Building healthier soil and reducing erosion.
• Restorative grazing: Managing pastures for long-term productivity and biodiversity.
• Silvopasture: Integrating trees and livestock for mutual benefit.
• Nutrient management and 4R approach: Optimizing fertilizer use for efficiency and environmental health.

Wilson also leads the Climate-Smart Fieldscapes Program for small and underserved farmers. "This program offers three-year contracts with $10,000 in support," explains Wilson, an assistant professor at the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. "Farmers implement three or more climate-smart practices on one area, maximizing soil carbon and productivity without sacrificing their livelihoods."

The app's early success is promising, with 400 applicants in its first open period. Wilson and her team hope to refine the app and reach an even broader range of farmers.

"As extreme weather and climate change become the norm," concludes Wilson, "these practices are crucial for adapting, maintaining productivity, and protecting our vital soil base. The future of Missouri agriculture depends on it, and this app is a crucial step in the right direction."

Photo Credit: university-of-missouri