American Farmland Trust, Agricultural Conservation Innovation Center
Risk Management (crop) Insurance for Reducing Fertilizer Runoff & Water Pollution
The over application of fertilizer is a significant cost to farmers and a major cause of water pollution. With the help of the Alex C. Walker Foundation, ACIC has developed the Nutrient BMP Endorsement that covers farmers who follow university recommendations for applying nitrogen and phosphorus on corn against any potential losses in yield. Here's how it works. Many farmers don't want to take chances on under-fertilizing their crops. Often, they apply extra fertilizer, even when they have already applied enough to meet their yield goals. The new policy guarantees farmers that if they follow expert recommendations and cut unnecessary fertilizer applications, they will recoup any money lost if yields suffer. Widespread use of the policy could reduce fertilizer use by up to 40 percent without significantly reducing yields or farm income and decreasing nutrient runoff into lakes, streams and waterways.
Learn more about the
Risk Management Program for Reducing Nutrient Runoff.