Delta and Farmland LP partnered to create evaluation and assessment mechanisms to model the economic and environmental benefits of different scenarios to transition traditional commodity agricultural land to diverse, sustainable production models.
Projects Roster
Collaborating with the Illinois International Port District for Economic Growth and Infrastructure Expansion
Delta Institute is working with our long-term partner, the Illinois International Port District to implement numerous activities and achieve goals as laid out in the Port’s 2030 Master Plan.
Reducing phosphorus runoff in Green Lake, WI
In 2016 Delta assisted the Green Lake Association (GLA) for Green Lake, Wisconsin, in developing an effective long-term approach to reducing phosphorus loading into the Green Lake watershed by leveraging existing research and tools, with a goal of demonstrable water quality improvement, watershed health, and sediment/nutrient reduction.
Accelerating Outcome-Based Ag Conservation in Saginaw Bay
The Saginaw Bay Watershed Conservation Partnership, led by TNC with support from Delta and other partners, developed and implemented a new strategy to address the primary and secondary resource concerns in the region, particularly water quality degradation and inadequate fish and wildlife habitat.
Bringing Greenhouse Gas Benefits to Market: Nutrient Management for Nitrous Oxide Reductions
Delta created a novel nitrous oxide carbon credit methodology that allowed producers to access carbon market revenue from reducing fertilizer application rates. Delta was able to deliver the first successful nitrous oxide reduction project on the voluntary carbon market. The project was highlighted by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack for its innovation and success.
Fisk and Crawford Coal Plants (Chicago, IL) Redevelopment Task Force
Delta and LVEJO partnered to create recommendations to guide redevelopment of the Fisk and Crawford coal plants in Chicago under then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel using just-transition principles created through authentic community engagement and outreach.
Nonprofit Venture Framework: Rebuilding Exchange (RX)
Delta Institute has long focused on deconstruction and waste reduction as ways to create a more economically vibrant Midwest. This focus led to the creation of the Rebuilding Exchange, a social venture that Delta spun off into it’s own separate organization.
Pay for Performance: A Market-Based Approach to Conservation
Delta Institute collaborated with Winrock International and Sand County Foundation to create an innovative and comprehensive “How To Guide” for a new concept called “Pay for Performance,” a market-based incentive to pay farmers for documented improvements to water- and soil- quality as a result of conservation-focused agricultural practices.
Phytoremediation in Muskegon, MI
Delta Institute established a hybrid poplar tree farm by planting 3,000 trees on brownfield sites in Muskegon, MI.
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