Forward Agriculture will harness Wisconsin’s world-class agricultural assets to create a resilient agriculture innovation ecosystem – an “agrisystem.”

A thriving agrisystem will make our food systems more resilient and sustainable through use-inspired innovation that addresses environmental, economic, and social challenges while advancing a new bioeconomy in Wisconsin.

Forward Agriculture is a coalition of farmers and producers, higher-education institutions, Tribal nations, entrepreneurs, investors (risk capital), industry, state government, and non-profits that will innovate across social, ecological, and technological dimensions to ensure that Wisconsin remains competitive in agriculture, inclusive prosperity, and long-term health and well-being.

Since receiving a Type 1 Engine development award (NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) Program | NSF - National Science Foundation) from the National Science Foundation in 2023, this WiSys-led coalition has leveraged that designation to bring an additional $5 million in resources to support efforts in resilient agriculture over the past year. Additionally, partners of our coalition have pledged over $40 million in cash and in-kind resources should we win this competition. The NSF Engines is the largest place-based investment in the history of the National Science Foundation, and we are excited to be invited to participate (Workbook: NSF Engines Full Proposal Invitations) in the next stage of this prestigious and competitive opportunity.

Why Wisconsin?

Wisconsin and the Tribal Nations in the region have an unprecedented opportunity to apply our unique competitive advantages to create a resilient agrisystem. Forward Agriculture will harness Wisconsin’s world-class agricultural assets including: