ESMRC: ESMC's Research Arm
Scientific rigor is a mainstay of our work and underlies all Eco-Harvest program details and decisions. As such, not only is our staff comprised of scientists and researchers, but we partner, collaborate, and contract services with domain experts. We conduct all research under ESMRC – the Ecosystem Services Market Research Consortium – which serves as the research arm of ESMC. ESMRC functions are made possible by funding through our membership, project partners, and grants like the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR).
What we research
We operate at the cutting edge of soil sampling, AgTech, ecosystem modeling, and applied conservation practices to ensure Eco-Harvest projects have the highest level of scientific rigor and certainty. Buyers of Eco-Harvest outcomes know that there are measured outcomes – based on science – behind their purchases. We use pilot projects to test questions, crop types, and data availability before methods are available at the market level. We focus on new production systems, stackable credits, and novel partnerships.
How does this work within the Eco-Harvest model?
As highlighted, data is key for our program.
We pull data from a number of different sources – including physical field data with soil sampling and lab testing (mainly for soil organic carbon); AgTech sensors and APIs as well as publicly-available databases (to reduce the cost and time requirements for sampling while still ensuring all outcomes are backed by data); and from practice-change data and historical data provided by producers and project partners. All this data is input into the Eco-Harvest MMRV platform – our end-to-end digital infrastructure that uses the data to link the farm to credible outcomes. The secure MMRV platform cost-effectively collects, stores, and manages data to support Eco-Harvest program operations. As part of this, we use the latest in geospatial technology to produce a land ledger that tracks ecosystem service outcomes across the landscape.
How we move the Needle
We can’t do everything at once, we have to be strategic with our limited resources. This means expanding ranges with landscape and project-based stratification, understanding how crop functional groups behave in a variety of production/cropping systems, and investing in climate smart practices. We are currently expanding program operations into developing grazing modules, creating opportunities for dairies, expanding our crop functional groups, and expanding our program into perennial systems.
- We work with a wide range of technical experts and contractors to convene Technical Working Groups and conduct research.
- Read and download publicly available technical and scientific reports.
Technical Working Groups: We convene working groups made up of members, staff, domain experts, federal employees, and project partners that focus on the advancement of quantification, accounting and reporting of
- Water
- Soil Carbon
- Grazing Land Systems
- Biodiversity
We have two mechanisms for sociological research and engaging directly with people we serve: the Inclusion & Racial Justice Workgroup and the Producer’s Circle.
If you are interested in collaborating with ESMRC, consider joining our membership. This will give you a seat at the table as we develop grant proposals, pilot projects, working group objectives, and data sharing priorities.
