The Edison Institute will engage in a multitude of relevant projects:
Agave as a Climate-Resistant Crop
Could it become a better crop for an increasingly hot and arid region? Most agave is grown in Mexico, in similar conditions to the Central Valley. We intend to explore its economic viability in multi-cropping systems—accompanied by complementary drought-resistant crops such as quinoa—to improve soil health, reduce water needs, and increase farmer incomes.
Regenerating Citrus
The institute has more than 100 acres of conventionally-grown oranges, putting it at similar risk to factors that virtually destroyed Florida’s citrus output. Research would examine the impact on resiliency of different cover crops, increasing biodiversity, and even adding animals to the land.
Multi-Year Cover Crop Study
New anecdotal data is showing that benefits of planting cover crops can persist well beyond the lives of the cover crops themselves. If true, this could dramatically affect spending strategies on annual cover crops and allow for expansion onto additional acres without additional funding.
Stopping the Burn—Reduction and Repurposing of Ag Waste
Even among California’s most sustainable fruit and nut growers, ag waste is regularly burned. Several large growers are looking for opportunities to repurpose that waste in ways that reduce emissions, are healthier for our environment, and could convert waste into a revenue generator.
Sap Analysis
Compared to traditional tissue analysis, Sap Analysis provides a deeper, more accurate understanding of plant nutrient status by assessing dynamic, real-time nutrient content in plant vascular systems. It can help farmers save hundreds of thousands in fertilizer and soil amendment costs.
Soil–Water Hydrological Assessments
While it's well established that regenerative practices enhance water infiltration, much less is known about how water moves through healthy soils—largely because such soils are rare in current agricultural systems. The Edison Institute offers a unique opportunity to study this through long-term, whole-systems analysis of regenerative agriculture.
