By Andi Anderson
Purdue Extension has joined forces with the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund (SWOF) to support Indiana farmers in adopting climate-smart farming practices. This partnership is part of the Midwest Climate-Smart Commodity Program, a multistate initiative aimed at reducing emissions, improving water quality, and offering incentives to farmers for implementing sustainable methods like cover crops and reduced tillage.
Funded by a $95 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities and $62 million in corporate commitments from companies such as PepsiCo and Cargill, the program was launched in 2023 to drive environmental progress in agriculture.
“With the help of the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, we’ve been able to make more widespread reductions in our tillage. We’ve also been experimenting with cover crops. Together all these efforts are helping us become more sustainable and resilient as weather patterns change, but they also save us time and money in labor,” said Grant Allyn, an enrolled SWOF farmer from southern Indiana.
As the first statewide extension office to collaborate with SWOF, Purdue Extension offers technical assistance and expert guidance to farmers interested in transitioning to conservation practices. Farmers can contact Purdue’s extension specialists via email or phone to access one-on-one support.
“This partnership will enhance the programs that we are already doing to help farmers across the state increase their conservational tillage and cover crop acreage,” said Bryan Overstreet, Purdue Extension conservation agronomist and soil health coordinator. “We are looking forward to working one-on-one with farmers to be successful in this management system change.”
“This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to equipping farmers with the resources they need to enhance their operations while contributing to meaningful environmental outcomes. By leveraging Purdue Extension’s expertise, we can better support Indiana farmers as they maximize the benefits of transitioning to more sustainable practices with our Midwest Climate-Smart Commodities Program,” said SWOF co-managing director Dan Yeoman.
By 2024, SWOF had enrolled over 850,000 acres across 18 states, distributing more than $28 million in payments. In Indiana alone, over 120,000 acres have been enrolled, with $4 million paid to farmers for their conservation efforts.
Enrollment for the 2025 season begins in the spring and continues until SWOF reaches its acreage goal. Farmers can qualify by adopting at least one new conservation practice or scaling existing practices across additional acres. More details, including eligibility and enrollment steps, are available at theoutcomesfund.com. Interested farmers can also join the waitlist or send inquiries to contactus@theoutcomesfund.com.
Photo Credit: purdue-university
Categories: Indiana, Business