IATP's Environment and Agriculture program seeks to enhance the quality of life in rural agricultural communities by promoting conservation-based economic opportunities. We foster a working landscape, a development model that maximizes income-generating productivity, environmental benefits and strengthened interconnectivity between urban and rural, people and land, and food and community. We encourage agricultural diversification, value-added opportunities, regional food systems and effective farm, food and transportation policy.

Our program staff excels at fostering dialogue and partnerships between representatives of agriculture, the environment, agribusiness, energy production, rural development and human health. Our work is a blend of project-based implementation and policy education and outreach. While we work on several national policy issues, we focus our policy efforts on agricultural and environmental issues that impact the Midwest and Great Lakes states.

The projects of the Environment and Agriculture program fall under three themes:

1. Fostering the production of sustainably grown crops for bioindustrial use
2. Developing opportunities for regional, healthy food systems
3. Providing analysis and education on policies that impact agriculture and natural resources, with a specific emphasis on water resources and energy production

Farm Policy, Conservation and Public Health
We are bringing together farmers, conservation groups and public health advocates to build a healthier food system.

Regional Food Systems
We work to develop new markets for regional farmers while educating consumers about regional, sustainable food's health and taste advantages.

Agriculture in the Great Lakes Basin
We report on the relationship of agriculture, the environment and trade to Great Lakes surface and ground water management.

Hypoxia and Nutrient Management
We are addressing hypoxia and increased nitrogen in the Mississippi River through policies and practices that support more sustainable agriculture and local economies.

Mississippi River Navigation
We work toward a navigation system on the Mississippi River that ensures fair prices for farmers, strong rural communities and maintains the environmental integrity of the River.

Food Versus Fuel in the United States: Can Both Win in the Era of Ethanol: This report explores the effect of U.S. ethanol production on the world's hungry.
October 2007 | MARK MULLER, TAMMY YELDON AND HEATHER SCHOONOVER | PDF

A Fair Farm Bill for Conservation: This paper analyzes the history of conservation programs in the Farm Bill and makes recommendations for improving them.
SEPTEMBER 2007 | IATP | PDF

Water Use by Ethanol Plants: Potential Challenges: The shortage of available water could become the Achilles heel of the ethanol boom if more efficient use of water isn't made a priority.
OCTOBER 2006 | DR. DENNIS KEENEY AND MARK MULLER/IATP | PDF

Food Without Thought: How U.S. Farm Policy Contributes to Obesity : U.S. farm policy geared towards driving down prices for corn and soybeans is a significant contributor to the nation's obesity epidemic.
APRIL 2006 | MARK MULLER AND HEATHER SCHOONOVER | PDF