The research behind this work is part of MSU’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture, which focuses on improving soil health, biodiversity, and farm resilience. The center supports research on practices such as cover crops, reduced tillage, crop rotation, and integrated livestock systems.
Dr. Basso and his team also developed advanced computer models that predict how different farming practices affect crops, soil, water, and greenhouse gas emissions over time. These tools help farmers understand the long-term results of their management choices.
“The vision of MSU as a land-grant university and our goal for the center to be one of the most critical hubs on regenerative agriculture — we can’t think about just helping farmers close to MSU,” said Dr. Basso. “We have to design this type of research in a scalable way that helps not only the farmers close to East Lansing, but also the ones as far away as the Thumb [of Michigan] and beyond, because we work regionally, nationally and globally.”
The research is used beyond individual farms. Scientists, nonprofits, and food companies rely on these models to guide large-scale sustainability efforts. By combining field data with advanced modeling, farmers and companies can measure outcomes that were previously difficult to see.
This work shows that regenerative agriculture can be both practical and profitable. With continued research and support, data-driven farming can help strengthen food systems, protect natural resources, and support farmers for future generations.
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