Magnolia Reporter: Can no-till farming mean lower interest rates for producers?

Originally published by Magnolia Reporter

Ryan McGeeney, U of A System Division of Agriculture, July 24, 2023

Researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are conducting research examining soil health practices and their impacts on crop risk insurance premiums and other financial factors often faced by farmers.

Lawson Connor, an agriculture economist for the Division of Agriculture, is the primary investigator for Arkansas’ involvement in the research. He is joined by researchers from U.C. Berkley and Rice University.

The funding for the research stems from a $715,611 “Seeding Solutions” grant from the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research. The foundation’s website describes the annual grant program as funding “audacious research” to address various aspects and challenges of agricultural production. The grant work will is also paired with an AFRI award with titled totaling $800,000 where the University of Arkansas will partner for $175,000. Several family foundations are providing matching funds, bringing the total investment to more than $2.2 million.

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