The project is an initiative of the Grasslands Partnership (www.grasslandspartnership.org), which is organized by extension services in nine states within the “tall fescue belt.” Funding is through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Climate Smart Commodities program.
Practices farms could implement under the program include:
- Establishing native warm-season grass pastures.
- Improving grazing management.
- Interseeding legumes as alternative nitrogen sources.
- Establishing perennial field buffers.
- Creating silvopasture by adding trees to existing pasture.
- Amending soil with biochar or gypsum.
In addition to incentive payments, expected benefits include forage drought resilience, improved soil and water quality and wildlife habitat, said Naumann. Developing carbon and environmental benefits can lead to a carbon market that may offer producers an alternative income source.
Participating producers will work with extension specialists to determine which practices best fit the farm. Ideally, each farm will use three or more practices, with each practice implemented on a different pasture. A separate pasture must be maintained with your typical management practices so the Grasslands Partnership can compare outcomes. Participants are also expected to keep records on implementation of the practices; allow access to their farms for pasture assessment, soil sampling and other monitoring; and host two field days during the five-year course of the project.
Source : missouri.edu