Fields of the Future is focused on strengthening agricultural land systems through integrated land and water governance. The program advances policies that align farmland conservation, soil health, water management, and rural economic development to ensure working lands remain productive, resilient, and viable in the face of climate change and development pressures.
Agricultural lands are foundational for food security, water stewardship, climate mitigation, and regional economic stability. Yet land use policy, water governance, and agricultural policy are often fragmented, limiting their collective impact. Fields of the Future addresses this gap by developing research-driven policy frameworks and practical tools that integrate these systems.
The program conducts applied research, develops policy guidance and incentive frameworks, supports pilot projects, and convenes leaders from agriculture, land use, water, and economic development sectors. Through technical assistance and cross-sector collaboration, the program helps policymakers and practitioners design durable, equitable, and economically sound land management strategies.
By connecting environmental stewardship with economic performance, Fields of the Future positions agricultural land as a central asset in building climate resilience, protecting natural resources, and strengthening rural communities.
Sustainable Agricultural Land Systems
Sustainable Agricultural Land Systems advances the Fields of the Future program by addressing two critical gaps in United States agricultural land policy: limited transparency about agricultural landownership and insufficient policy expertise that supports regenerative agriculture at scale.
The project’s pilot analysis of agricultural landownership patterns helps policymakers understand how ownership dynamics influence land use decisions, conservation outcomes, and farm viability. In parallel, the project is building institutional expertise on regenerative agriculture policies, analyzing incentive structures, land tenure arrangements, and governance tools that support soil health, water stewardship, and long-term productivity.
Combining ownership transparency with forward-looking policy development equips decision-makers with the data and frameworks needed to promote sustainable land use, strengthen rural economies, and align agricultural systems with climate resilience goals. The anticipated impact is improved policy design that supports regenerative practices, protects working lands, and ensures agricultural landscapes remain productive and environmentally sustainable.
Agriculture in the Colorado River Basin States: Challenges and Implications for the Future
This report examines the challenges confronting agricultural producers in the Colorado River Basin and how producers are thinking about the future of agriculture in their region. The study draws from qualitative interviews with 74 producers from multiple states and Tribal lands, revealing the severe impact of prolonged drought on water supplies, precipitation, and soil conditions on agriculture producers in the basin. It also examines past and future support farmers and ranchers are interested in, how they approach decision-making and planning, how they see the future of agriculture in this region, advice for future producers, and their adaptation strategies.