Institute of Water Research

The Institute of Water Research (IWR) at Michigan State University (MSU) is partnering with MSU Extension to support the rollout of a new Pay-for-Performance (PfP) conservation program in the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB). Through Technical Assistance Provider (TAP) trainings and producer outreach efforts, this partnership is equipping agricultural professionals and farmers with the knowledge and tools needed to implement conservation practices that improve water quality while supporting farm productivity. 

Funded by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the PfP program represents an innovative approach to conservation. Unlike traditional programs that provide fixed payments for adopting specific practices, PfP compensates farmers based on modeled environmental outcomes of reductions in phosphorus loss from agricultural fields. 

This outcome-based approach gives producers greater flexibility to choose the conservation practices that best fit their operations. It also rewards producers for the environmental benefits those practices are expected to deliver. By directly linking financial incentives to measurable environmental performance, the program encourages long-term conservation planning that benefits both agriculture and water quality. 

The Critical Role of Technical Assistance Providers 

TAPs are central to the success of the PfP program. Serving as trusted advisors, TAPs help producers evaluate field conditions, identify appropriate conservation practices, and navigate the enrollment process. 

Their role includes translating complex field data, including soil characteristics, topography, and conservation practice performance, into practical recommendations that producers can confidently implement. TAPs combine technical expertise with local knowledge to help farmers make conservation decisions that improve water quality and support farm productivity. 

The long-term success and scalability of the PfP program depend on building a strong network of trained TAPs throughout WLEB. This network can provide consistent, science-based guidance to producers. 

Hands-On Training to Support TAP Certification 

To build this network, IWR and MSU Extension are developing and delivering targeted training designed to prepare agricultural professionals to become certified TAPs. Participants receive hands-on experience using the PfP web application while learning how to: 

• Evaluate conservation practice performance  

• Assess field-level opportunities for nutrient loss reduction  

• Guide producers through the enrollment process  

• Apply PfP tools in real-world consulting scenarios  

The training is designed to provide practical, immediately applicable skills that participants can integrate into their existing advisory services and conversations with producers. 

Field Demonstrations and Producer Outreach 

In addition to TAP instruction, IWR and MSU Extension are coordinating field day events throughout WLEB this summer. These events provide producers with opportunities to see conservation practices in action, learn from real-world implementation examples, and better understand how participation in the program can benefit their operations. 

Conservation practices currently supported through the program include: 

• Cover crops  

• Crop rotation  

• Drainage water management  

• Filter strips  

• Conservation land set-aside  

• Residue and tillage management  

• Nutrient management  

These practices were selected for their ability to reduce nutrient loss, improve soil health, protect water resources, and support long-term farm resilience. 

Join an Upcoming Technical Assistance Provider Training 

Agricultural professionals working with producers in the Michigan portion of WLEB, including agricultural retailers, crop consultants, conservation agency staff, and drainage contractors are encouraged to participate in an upcoming TAP training. IWR and MSU Extension held the first training session in June, but there will be additional virtual training opportunities to be offered in July for those that missed the in- person training. 

Becoming a certified TAP provides an opportunity to play a key role in delivering this innovative conservation program. It also expands participants’ ability to support producers through data-driven, outcome-based conservation planning. 

A New Approach to Conservation in the Western Lake Erie Basin 

Enrollment in the PfP program is expected to launch in August and continue through 2032, marking the beginning of expanded outreach and implementation efforts across the region. 

By combining outcome-based incentives with a strong network of TAPs, the PfP program offers a new conservation model that links farmers’ decision-making to measurable improvements in water quality across the WLEB while supporting the long-term sustainability of Michigan agriculture.