.jpg)
Ecdysis uses a decentralized, farmer-centered model that contrasts with traditional research.
Traditional research often focuses
on small, isolated plots on experiment farms.
.jpg)
.jpg)
We work side by side with producers on active farms to see how different management choices perform and what results they bring.
By collecting data across diverse regions, food systems, and management styles, we get an evidence-based big-picture view of agriculture that small scale studies can't capture. This scale of research is essential for guiding both global food policy and practical on-farm decisions.
It's More Than Soil Health
Healthy soil is the foundation of everything, but it doesn’t stop there.
When we study a farm, we’re not just looking at the soil — we’re measuring life in all its forms. From naming the bacteria and fungi living belowground to counting the insects, birds, and plants above it, we’re capturing how the whole system works together.
These biodiversity measurements are key indicators of soil health and the ecosystem’s health as a whole.
We study:
Soil
Chemical and physical properties of soil, including soil carbon, microbiology and organic matter
Water
Water infiltration, holding capacity, wet aggregate stability
Leaf tissue analysis/Brix levels, nutrient density/diversity of yield, yield/biomass
Plants
Insects
Ground dwelling and airborne insects and invertebrates (abundance, species richness and diversity, functional groups, pest abundance)
Birds
Bird abundance, species richness, diversity, and habitat use
Pests
Plant pathogens and insect pests
Nutrition
Crop nutrient analyses
Economics
Gross and net profit
This systems-level approach is what makes our research different. By studying biodiversity, we can see how every form of life is connected, and how these connections shape the health of the entire farm.
Scientists Can't Stand Apart
For agriculture research to be truly relevant, scientists can’t stand apart — they have to become part of the farming community. Farmers play an active role in shaping our research. Success isn’t measured only by academic metrics, but also by real-world outcomes that matter to farmers.
"When scientists become farmers it increases the relevance of our questions and credibility of our work. And it goes both ways — farmers need to be our research partners.”
- Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, Ecdysis Foundation
Our Scientific Strategy
.png)
4. Optimize
Use mechanistic and observational studies to further optimize regenerative systems.
A collaborative, farmer-centered approach that connects research with on-farm reality.
1. Identity
Identify key regenerative food systems in different regions that will have a ripple effect across food communities
2. Validate
Validate successful regenerative operations relative to conventional food production strategies using a systems level approach.
3. Develop
Develop a roadmap to guide farmers transitioning to regenerative production systems, based on proven farmer strategies.
Ecdysis is most recognized for the 1000 Farms Initiative.
Since launching, we have measured 1,500+ farms in the United States and beyond, creating a large dataset about how management practices affect the land, consumers, and farmers.
​​
Building on the 1000 Farms Initiative, our next phase of research digs deeper. Project Ignite explores specific food systems in greater detail, while Project Avalanche supports farmers in collecting their own data.
