Giving Compass' Take:
- Dana Cronin shares the results of a study that identified areas of the country where nitrogen pollution could be addressed without damaging crop yields.
- Why is reducing nitrogen pollution important for food security and sustainability? How can you support efforts to maintain or increase soil health on agricultural lands?
- Read about cover cropping in Illinois.
What is Giving Compass?
We connect donors to learning resources and ways to support community-led solutions. Learn more about us.
Many researchers have looked at nitrogen pollution hotspots around the country. But a new first-of-its-kind, multi-year study from the University of Vermont looks at areas where nitrogen pollution reduction is most feasible without affecting crop yield.
Nitrogen is essential to plant growth and is a major component of most commercial fertilizers. However, excess nitrogen can contribute to environmental degradation, including reducing air and water quality.
The study found that Midwestern states, especially Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin, had the most potential for tackling farm nitrogen.
While the Midwest is an agricultural mecca, that’s not why it stands out in the results. It’s because nitrogen isn’t being used efficiently in the region, the authors say.
“We see nitrogen inputs at a level that suggest they're higher than they need to be relative to other counties producing the same crop mix,” Roy says. “Hopefully by taking a more targeted approach, we will have a better chance of success.”
Read the full article about nitrogen pollution by Dana Cronin at Harvest Public Media.