The Midwest is experiencing increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, which can exacerbate water quality problems. Mitigating these threats is crucial to the long-term resilience of Midwest farming operations and prairie strips can play a critical role. 

Prairie strips are strategically planted strips of native perennial forbs and grasses within or along the edge of a row crop field. These cropland prairies act as biological corridors that enhance farm viability, reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and support biodiversity -- all vital for sustainable agriculture systems.

With support from North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE), Sand County Foundation is partnering with three innovative Wisconsin farmers with established (>four year) prairie strips on their land. Our project demonstrates how prairie strips can play a critical role in mitigating environmental and agronomic threats such as flooding and water quality. Data will be collected to compare soil health and hydrology with a prairie strip compared to the adjacenet row crop field. 

Objectives:

• Collect real-time soil data to quantify the hydrologic benefits of prairie strips
• Sample soils to quantify the soil health benefits of prairie strips
• Increase the understanding of prairie strips as a water quality and regenerative agriculture practice for partnering farmers, their farmer-led group, and Midwest conservation professionals.