Improving agricultural production as a public health strategy in the United States: a framework for integrated policy
This policy and practice review examines how U.S. agricultural management influences water quality, air pollution, nutrition, and human health. It proposes integrated policies, public procurement reforms, and improved traceability systems to scale conservation agriculture practices that support public health, environmental performance, and sustainable food production.
Subject Tags
- Agriculture
- Health
Abstract
Agri-food management in the U.S.—including crop and livestock practices—directly influences health outcomes through drinking water quality, air pollution, pesticide exposure, and pathogen transmission. The broader food system also shapes nutrition and dietary health. Certain management practices can mitigate environmental and human health impacts by reducing input use or preventing input losses to the environment. Despite these interconnections, policies and incentives remain fragmented across food, health, and environmental sectors. In this policy and practice review, we propose three strategies to scale conservation agriculture practices that benefit human health: (1) interagency collaboration to expand agricultural incentives that advance environmental and public health, (2) public procurement reforms that reward sustainable production, and (3) enhanced traceability linking farm practices to health and environmental outcomes. Cross- and multi-sector policy alignment can accelerate adoption of practices that improve health outcomes, strengthen environmental performance, and support agricultural sustainability.
Citation
Wood SA, Loring PA, Machalaba C, Lovdal A, Gennet S, Collins B, Cardwell S, Keerthi S, Kazanski CE and Johnson K (2026) Improving agricultural production as a public health strategy in the United States: a framework for integrated policy. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 10:1771142. doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2026.1771142
TNC Authors
-
Stephen A. Wood
Senior Scientist, Agriculture and Food systems
The Nature Conservancy
Email: stephen.wood@tnc.org -
Philip A. Loring
Global Director of Human Dimensions Science. Global Science
The Nature Conservancy
Email: philip.loring@tnc.org -
Catherine Machalaba
Planetary Health Scientist. Global Science
The Nature Conservancy
Email: c.machalaba@tnc.org -
Alison Lovdal
Food Systems Scientist. Provide Food and Water
The Nature Conservancy
Email: alison.lovdal@tnc.org -
Sasha Gennet
Grazing Lands Strategy Manager. Provide Food and Water
The Nature Conservancy
Email: sgennet@tnc.org -
Bridget Collins
Senior Policy Advisor, Agriculture. North America Office
The Nature Conservancy
Email: bridget.collins@tnc.org -
Sam Cardwell
Policy Associate, Lands. North America Office
The Nature Conservancy
Email: sam.cardwell@tnc.org -
Shamitha Keerthi
Science Director for Regenerative Row Crop Systems. Midwest US Office
The Nature Conservancy
Email: shamitha.keerthi@tnc.org -
Clare E. Kazanski
Senior Scientist. North America Office
The Nature Conservancy, Minneapolis, MN
Email: clare.kazanski@tnc.org -
Kris Johnson
NA Agriculture Director. Midwest US Office
The Nature Conservancy
Email: kjohnson@tnc.org