Bridging a major disconnect: ideas for farm standards and systems to achieve phosphorus goals in Wisconsin lakes and streams

Abstract

Despite decades of effort to reduce agricultural nonpoint source pollution in Wisconsin, a gap remains between current on-farm practices and what would be needed to achieve water quality goals in lakes and streams. This report summarizes perspectives on options for reducing phosphorus loss from agriculture to help achieve water quality goals in lakes and streams. We conducted 48 interviews with farmers, conservationists, scientists, crop consultants, and other groups to better understand perspectives, gaps, and opportunities for water quality policy between 2021 and 2024. We focused on Wisconsin’s Northeast Lakeshore with attention to issues relevant across the state. Many people perceived important disconnects between in-field standards and in-stream goals that would need to be addressed to improve water quality. Based on interviews, we summarized and gathered diverse perspectives on the top five most commonly discussed options to bridge the disconnects between field and water.