By Blake Jackson
Researchers at the University of Missouri are working across disciplines to develop solutions that address challenges faced by farmers in Missouri. One such effort is led by Caixia “Ellen” Wan, an associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, who is exploring new ways to improve soil health and help farmers adapt to shifting environmental and market conditions.
Agriculture today faces increasing pressure from extreme weather events such as record heat, flooding, and extended drought. These conditions can cause soil erosion, nutrient loss, and declining soil quality, threatening the productivity of conventional farming systems.
In response, some producers are considering organic farming as an alternative. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the number of certified organic farms has doubled over the past 15 years, with more than 3.5 million acres now certified organic across the United States.
However, organic certification requires strict and often costly production standards. Farmers typically rely on premium market prices for organic products to offset these costs while meeting growing consumer demand.
Wan’s research focuses on helping farmers transition land into productive organic systems while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. “We want to help small- and medium-sized farms transition land that is not currently ready for organic farming into productive organic systems,” Wan said.
Wan’s project centers on biochar, a carbon-rich material created by heating organic waste-such as crop residues or wood-in a low-oxygen environment. Because biochar has a porous structure and large surface area, it can retain nutrients, improve soil structure, and support beneficial microbial activity.
Backed by a $960,000 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Wan and her team are combining biochar with compost and beneficial microbes to improve soil fertility in organic vegetable systems.
“We hope to extend the approach to other crops in the future,” she said. “We want to first demonstrate that our proposed technology and concept can be implemented effectively.”
“Their feedback is vital to our success,” Wan said. “We engaged them early in the planning process through surveys and discussions to ensure the project addresses their needs.”
“I’m excited about the practical applications and the collaborative nature of this work,” Wan said. “It brings together experts from different fields to pursue integrated solutions and allows me to combine engineering with agricultural systems in a meaningful way.”
Photo Credit: university-of-missouri
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Education