The goal is to identify and evaluate trade-offs of various production strategies. The project is comparing the productivity, profitability, and environmental impacts of three dairy and three cash-grain crop rotations. In recent years, public debate had grown over the sustainability and environmental impact of various farming practices.
Little agreement exists on how to measure the environmental effects of agriculture.
In addition, farmers currently may find it difficult to adopt practices that help the environment in the long term in a system dominated by short-term economic concerns. The Lakeland Ag Complex has a somewhat poorly drained soil and the water table is within 15 feet of the surface. At the Columbia County site, the soil is much deeper and better drained with the water table about 100 feet below the surface. Education and information dissemination play an important role in the project. Both sites have been developed into area outdoor learning centers, with annual field days and other visits by farmers, environmentalists, students, policy-makers, and the public scheduled regularly at both sites.