Researchers
GLBI collaborates with researchers to evaluate soil-based interventions, including biochar, under real-world agricultural conditions—bridging the gap between controlled research and scalable implementation on working lands.
Research Context & Motivation
Despite decades of progress, nutrient losses from agricultural systems remain a leading driver of water quality impairment in the Great Lakes. The challenge lies not only in identifying effective practices, but in understanding how, where, and under what conditions they function at field and watershed scales.
GLBI’s work is motivated by the need for:
• Field-scale data from commercial agricultural operations
• Longitudinal evaluation of nutrient retention strategies
• Integration of soil health, nutrient management, and hydrologic pathways
• Translation of research into implementable practices
GLBI’s Role in Applied Research
GLBI operates as an implementation and research support partner, not a regulatory or advocacy organization. We help facilitate research by:
• Providing access to commercial dairy, poultry, and mixed agricultural operations
• Supporting on-farm pilot and demonstration projects
• Coordinating logistics between producers, researchers, and technical partners
• Assisting with project design that balances rigor and operational feasibility
Our focus is on applied research that informs both science and practice
Research Areas of Interest
GLBI is particularly interested in collaborative research related to:
• Nutrient retention and transport (P, N) in manure-amended systems
• Biochar interactions with manure, compost, and soil matrices
• Impacts on runoff, leaching, and tile drainage pathways
• Soil physical and chemical properties influencing nutrient dynamics
• Performance variability across soil types, climates, and management systems
• Scalability and economic feasibility of soil-based interventions
We welcome both hypothesis-driven studies and exploratory pilot work.
Biochar as a Research Tool
GLBI approaches biochar as one potential tool within a broader nutrient management framework. Our interest is in:
• Identifying conditions under which biochar provides measurable benefit
• Understanding limitations and tradeoffs
• Supporting transparent, reproducible evaluation
We collaborate with experienced biochar producers and prioritize material characterization and documentation.
Data Management & Research Integrity
GLBI is committed to responsible research practices:
• Farm-specific data are protected and handled with confidentiality
• Data sharing expectations are defined upfront
• Aggregated and anonymized datasets may be shared to support broader learning
• Publication and authorship roles are discussed collaboratively
Our goal is to support high-quality research while respecting producer trust.
Funding & Proposal Collaboration
GLBI regularly collaborates with research partners on:
• Grant proposals (e.g., GLRI, USDA, state agencies)
• Field implementation components of funded research
• Letters of support and partnership documentation
We can serve as a field implementation partner, nonprofit collaborator, or stakeholder engagement lead, depending on project needs.
Opportunities for Collaboration
We welcome collaboration with:
• University and extension researchers
• USDA, NRCS, and EPA research staff
• Conservation and watershed science groups
• Graduate students and applied research teams
Whether you are developing a proposal, seeking field sites, or exploring new research questions, we are interested in connecting.
Connect With GLBI
Researchers interested in collaboration are encouraged to reach out to discuss project ideas, funding opportunities, or field-based research needs.