ASC aims to transform our advanced use-inspired and applied basic research outcomes into different practical solutions for various stakeholders in the agricultural sector. We value our stakeholders, mainly farmers and policy makers, and use advanced science and technology to support their decision making and drive sustainable development in the broad agrifood systems.
Core Faculty and Researchers
Jonathan Coppess, McKenzie Johnson, Jeremy Guest, Kaiyu Guan, Bin Peng, Andrew Margenot, DoKyong Lee
Representative Projects
Developing new-generation of nitrogen management tools (funded by NREC)
Recommendations on the optimal nitrogen rate can help farmers reduce the fertilizer cost while maintaining the high productivity, thus maximizing net economic returns and reducing nutrient loss. This project aims to maximize the NREC historical and current investment in N rate database development in order to better serve Illinois farmers in nutrient management. This project will compile the most comprehensive NREC N trial database and use the database to upgrade the MRTN calculator. The project will also develop a next generation MRTN calculator based on observation-constrained model simulations. The project will finally develop a web-based platform for both the upgraded and next-generation MRTN calculators to serve Illinois farmers and provide training, outreach, and education to farmers.
Smart-connected community to co-develop nutrient management with farmers (funded by NSF)
Team Members:
Andrew Margenot, McKenzie Johnson, Kaiyu Guan, Bin Peng
The U.S. Corn Belt produces about 30% of the world’s corn and soybean, which depends on the use of fertilizers containing both nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). However, heavy fertilizing directly affects farmers in terms of expenses and threatens valuable natural resources. Yet, farmers’ perceptions of nutrient management challenges vary widely as does their willingness to adopt novel nutrient management approaches. Thus, an urgent unmet need exists to provide farmers with and help them adopt effective and trusted nutrient management tools that are informed by advanced science and technology as well as by farmer-based practical expertise. This project addresses these needs by developing a smart and connected “Nutrient Management Community” (NuMC) in rural farming communities in the U.S. Corn Belt. Specifically, we will take an integrated approach using farmer-researcher-farmer knowledge transfers to co-produce an NuMC. Our primary goal is to develop science-driven recommendations on N and P management that can be tailored to different farmers’ needs.