Project Summary
Agricultural systems must become more productive and resilient to feed an expected population of 10 billion people by 2050. Those same systems must also confront declining biodiversity, unsustainable resource use, labor inequality and climate change.
Nurturing healthy ecosystems and supporting sustainable management of land, water, and energy; while balancing trade-offs between production yield, labor, water, energy, land, and climate is a key objective of this project.
We are leveraging the WiSys VentureHome® network of innovation hubs to provide physical and digital infrastructure across Wisconsin to accomplish this goal. This distributed network will facilitate cross-sector collaboration that is locally led, and centrally supported.
ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES
The broad impact of the work conducted under this partnership will be to nurture healthy agricultural ecosystems and supporting sustainable management of land, water, and energy; while balancing trade-offs between production yield, labor, water, energy, land, and climate.
Specifically, this partnership will aim to acheive the following outcomes:
Translate use-inspired research through inter-institutional and industry collaborations
Bolster entrepreneurial support through WiSys VentureHome® network of community partners
Grow a skilled workforce through industry-focused coalitions and curriculum providers
Support the launch of sustainability tech startups and products
Attract investment capital from multiple sectors to fund audacious ideas in the field of sustainable agriculture
Policy recommendations that support sustainable practices
Develop technical and entrepreneurial skillset among underserved populations, across the demographics of gender, geography, race, and economic status.
Identify and prepare for future needs of the farming industry, including workforce needs.
