Corteva Agriscience, the agriculture division of DowDuPont, on May 7 announced a two-year agreement to support the efforts of The Nature Conservancy to help farmers grow food more sustainably, while protecting water quality.

The initiative will accelerate environmental sustainability and increase productivity for farmers in the Mississippi River watershed. Soil health and on-farm conservation practices are at the center of this new sustainability initiative.

“We are driven to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume,” says Dana Bolden, senior vice president of external affairs and chief sustainability officer at Corteva. “Every day our team members see firsthand the commitment farmers have to being good stewards of the land. We are pleased to provide additional support by collaborating with TNC [The Nature Conservancy ] to help improve farmer profitability and advance adoption of on-farm conservation practices.”

On-farm conservation practices

The initiative builds upon the strengths of each collaborator by tapping into the technology and agronomic expertise at Corteva Agriscience, along with the scientific conservation knowledge and expertise at TNC.

“Farmers are the lifeblood of our food system, and we’re committed to empowering them with the tools and resources they need to grow food sustainably while safeguarding our water systems,” says Stewart Lindsay, head of corporate engagement for TNC. “Corteva Agriscience’s generous support will help advance our soil health and nutrient management goals in the Mississippi River basin for the benefit of farmers, communities and the natural resources we all depend on.”

Corteva Agriscience and TNC will target sub-watersheds in Iowa and Indiana. The collaboration will:

Provide assistance to farmers. It will offer resources to make it easier for farmers to tap into cost-share programs for conservation practices, such as planting cover crops, reducing tillage and implementing nutrient management strategies that can include use of nitrogen stabilizers.

Empower agronomists and front-line teams to adopt practices. Agronomists will work to assess soil health in the target watersheds and beyond, and serve as a resource for farmers when implementing best management practices.

Provide outreach and education. Host local field days to promote soil health and nutrient management practices.

Engage ag retailers and food companies. Work with ag retailers and food companies in these watersheds to promote soil health, nutrient management and conservation practices.

Demonstrate progress. Leverage farm management software tools to track and measure improved farmer profitability and conservation practices.

“We need collaborations — within agriculture and beyond — to better serve growers and consumers,” Bolden says.

Corteva Agriscience is set to become an independent, publicly traded company when the previously announced spinoff is complete by June. The division combines the strengths of DuPont Pioneer, DuPont Crop Protection and Dow AgroSciences. More information can be found at corteva.com.

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving land and water. Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world's toughest challenges so nature and people can thrive together. Working in 72 countries, TNC uses a collaborative approach to engage local communities, governments, the private sector and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org.

Source: Corteva and The Nature Conservancy, which are responsible for the information provided and are wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and its subsidiaries aren’t responsible for any content contained in this information asset.