Spotlight Series
Ohio Farmer and Agronomist Leading Through Expertise
Michael Watercutter has worked in sustainable agriculture for over a decade, starting shortly after his graduation with a degree in agronomy from The Ohio State University. Just over a year ago, in April 2022, he was hired as a full-time conservation agronomist with American Farmland Trust (AFT) and in partnership with Mercer Landmark, he’s helping increase awareness, education, and adoption of conservation practices in northwest Ohio.
Having grown up on a family farm in the area, Watercutter is uniquely capable of both explaining the innovative conservation practices he advocates for, as well as demonstrating the associated positive impacts on his own farm.
“Most farmers don’t want to hear from someone that’s three states away in a city,” he explains. “They trust their local retailers and neighbors more than anybody.”
Watercutter’s background in agronomy ensures that the solutions he’s suggesting are credible too, allowing him to consider each farm’s unique qualities to ensure the best fit.
“Not everybody is able to use the same conservation practices,” says Watercutter. “I’m there to help answer their questions so we can understand what kind of sustainable practices and conservation strategies will work for them.”
The Truterra™ sustainability tool, a platform that’s fully integrated with the latest version of Field to Market’s Fieldprint Platform®, is an integral part of Watercutter’s outreach strategy. Using the historic data gathered from his own fields, alongside thousands more acres in his area, he’s able to effectively demonstrate the positive impact that practices like cover cropping and no-till can have on a farmer’s sustainability outcomes alongside their return on investment.
“We’re able to show things like how we’ve reduced our nitrogen usage by 20%, 30%,” he notes. “That’s what’s going to turn that lightbulb on when they hear those sorts of things. They see that and they just want to dive in and pick your brain—see what would work on their farm.”
He continues to explain that their interest only increases over time, as they begin to see results on their own farm as well. “By year three, that lightbulb is really bright,” Watercutter adds.
The Truterra sustainability tool™, integrated with Field to Market’s Fieldprint Platform, has also been integral to the Mercer Landmark Sustain Program, a program that rewards wheat producers for using the Truterra sustainability tool by offering a $0.20 per bushel premium for all wheat harvested from enrolled fields and delivered to a Mercer Landmark facility. Watercutter visits enrolled farmers, explaining how the tool can provide them with valuable insights into their farming operations and what practice changes they can implement to improve their stewardship score and eligibility for additional financial incentive programs.
Michael Watercutter
Conservation Agronomist
American Farmland Trust
“Michael has made a huge impact in the short time that he has been in his role as Conservation Agronomist, helping to enroll more than 33,000 acres in the Truterra sustainability tool to collect data for the Mercer Landmark Sustain program.”
Amanda Bahn-Ziegler
Account Manager
Truterra
“Working with Michael and the Truterra program through Mercer Landmark has been a reinforcement of our path towards a more regenerative farming system,” details Alex Smith, one of the growers Michael consulted with in the last year. “Michael’s deep knowledge of cover crops and regenerative agriculture has provided us with a new tool to do better for our land and our consumers. We have been working with cover crops and no-till for six years. It is amazing how in that process you start to see things click. Michael and Truterra are promoting these practices on local farms and that is so crucial to what we need to see across the whole country.”
“Michael has made a huge impact in the short time that he has been in his role as Conservation Agronomist, helping to enroll more than 33,000 acres in the Truterra sustainability tool to collect data for the Mercer Landmark Sustain program,” details Amanda Bahn-Ziegler, Account Manager at Truterra. “He has done a fantastic job of grower outreach and education, which resulted in more than twice as many acres participating in the Ohio Wheat Project from his region versus the previous year.”
Watercutter believes programs like this can be successful throughout the country, especially through civil society groups like AFT. “Being able to take AFT employees, conservation agronomists like me, and put them into their local ag retailer space is incredibly important,” he notes. “It’s doing well to help get the education out there on the benefits of cover crops and no-till, along with other sustainable practices that work in their area. We need more of that for sure.”
“I have been impressed in how much trust Michael has been able to build with the growers he has worked with in such a short time,” adds Brian Brandt, Agricultural Conservation Innovations Director at American Farmland Trust. “His understanding and ability to meet farmers where they are at currently and provide recommendations and guidance for additional implementation of conservation practices based on real world experience, has really helped him build those strong relationships with growers.”
In the end, Watercutter believes that in order to ensure effective support of growers throughout the supply chain, effective communication is necessary.
“I think we need to make sure that everyone’s not afraid to just meet with one another” he elaborates, explaining the value of one-on-one communication, despite the extra time it might take.
“We’ve certainly come a long way in better communication. Everybody is busy. We just need to slow down sometimes to make sure we’re communicating better,” he adds.
Ultimately, Watercutter hopes that he leaves behind a legacy of trust between the farmers in his area and organizations like Mercer Landmark and AFT, especially so they can continue to expand their educational programs. “Sustainability is very important,” he emphasizes. “I feel like I can speak for myself along with most of the farmers I work with in saying that our end goal is to pass on our land to future generations, and I think our work here is a big part in ensuring that.”
"I feel like I can speak for myself along with most of the farmers I work with in saying that our end goal is to pass on our land to future generations, and I think our work here is a big part in ensuring that."
Michael Watercutter
