Requirements and Benefits for Discovery Farms

A Discovery Farm is an operating, commercial Wisconsin farm participating in an on-farm systems research/ evaluation/demonstration project. The goal is to span the state's diverse soil types, physical and water characteristics and livestock and cropping systems. The program has two types of projects: core farms that represent a farming system/setting that needs to be better understood; and special projects, which are more targeted and shorter in duration.

All aspects of the Discovery Farms program emphasize farmer input and direction. The Discovery Farms Steering Committee provides input on nonpoint pollution research needs, identifies research project possibilities, selects projects for funding and solicits Discovery Farms cooperators. After a participant is selected, a Project Design Team develops details for each project, including required characteristics of participating farms, variable measurements, measurement protocols, data handling and analysis and study length.

A producer selected to conduct a Discovery Farm research project will be supported by a Local Advisory Committee, chaired by the farmer. This team will implement the project, monitor progress, collect and analyze data and share results through a variety of channels. The team will be made up of neighboring farmers, agribusiness consultants, county and other local extension personnel, local representatives of state and federal agencies (NRCS and Land Conservation Departments), and local Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) instructors. Support and advice from university and agency specialists will be available to local teams.

Most Discovery Farms will be in the program for 3-5 years. The collection of base farm data will take a few months. The identification and implementation of practices will take another period of time. Monitoring outcomes and costs will be done for the remainder of the program. Practices that are cost-shared may need to be maintained for a greater period of time, possibly 7-10 years.

Requirements for Discovery Farms Participants:

Agricultural producers must

• Operate a functioning agricultural enterprise representative of the industry.
• Have or be willing to develop a soil conservation plan reducing soil loss to tolerable level (T). The farm does not have to currently be within tolerable levels, but must be willing to adjust management practices to reach T during the study.
• Have or be willing to develop a nutrient management plan that, at the minimum, provides nutrients at the nitrogen needs of the crop. A second nutrient management plan will be developed for the operation based on phosphorus management. A comparison of the differences in crop production, management practices, equipment needs, labor requirements and financial impacts of following a phosphorus-based nutrient management plan will be evaluated.
• Be willing to share financial information so the cost of adopting changes in management practices can be identified. Discovery Farms need to provide information on the current costs of storing and handling manure, level of nutrient crediting currently being taken, hauling distances and labor and management requirements. This will provide the baseline information necessary to determine the cost of proposed environmental regulations.
• Be willing to adopt changes in farming practices and to keep track of how these changes affect labor requirements, equipment needs, increases or reductions in purchased nutrients, yield and profitability.
• Be willing to participate in field days or meetings to discuss their experiences with other farmers.

Benefits of Participation:

• A $5,000 annual stipend for time and assistance with this project.
• Assistance developing and implementing soil conservation plan to tolerable levels (T).
• Assistance developing and implementing a nutrient management plan.
• Technical and possibly financial assistance with changes in facilities or management practices that will improve environmental management.
• Some farms will have monitoring equipment placed in order to determine the level of nutrients or sediment reaching water resources.
• Technical and possibly financial assistance with the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs).
• Phosphorus and nitrogen balance sheets for the entire operation.
• Some level of confidentiality in terms of financial information
• Protection from the regulatory community and environmental groups for the changes that should be implemented based on their current farming practices.
• Media and public relations training, as Discovery Farms can expect to receive media exposure from ag and non-ag sources.