Category Archives: blog

16Aug/23

Newly Created Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers Hold Promise for the Future

August 16, 2023environmental justice, equity, green infrastructure

As the extreme weather increases, smoke from wildfires inundates the region, and the energy sector shifts from coal and renewables, environmental justice and the connection to water resources is an increasingly prominent discussion topic. Starting in 2019 with a Network mini-grant to explore the intersection of equity and green infrastructure, Lisa Merrifield, Community Development Specialist at the University of Illinois Extension and member of the Network Leadership Team, and partners across Extension began exploring ways to serve communities in Illinois and share knowledge across the region.

25Jul/23

Five farmers participating in the nutrient management exercise.

Interactive Nutrient Management Exercise gets Creative Juices Flowing in Nebraska and Beyond

July 25, 2023hands-on learning, manure, Soil Health

Leslie Johnson’s childhood home is only 4 miles as the crow flies from her current office where she works as Animal Manure Management Extension Educator at Nebraska Extension, based at the Haskell Ag Lab.

“I like to joke – I didn’t make it very far in life,” quips Johnson. But for her, she couldn’t be happier. She is close to her family farm and her family while contributing to her husband’s family farm and teaching and helping producers and ag professionals through her work with Nebraska Extension.

28Jun/23

Person holding clump of soil with earthworm

A One-Stop Shop for Research-based Resources about the Profitability of Conservation Ag Practices

June 28, 2023Agriculture, Conservation, Soil Health

With all the buzz about soil health, regenerative ag, and climate-smart, farmers want to know how practices such as cover crops and no-till pencil out. While data on the financial impacts of conservation practices are stillRead More…

28Jun/23

People looking at a geological map at Big Smokey Falls in Keshena Wisconsin

Land-Grant Colleagues to Gather in Denver This Fall to Discuss Climate, Water, and Equity

June 28, 2023climate, Extension, water equity

The North Central Region Water Network team is headed to Denver, Colorado this October for the Climate, Water, Equity, and Opportunity Workshop October 12-13th. The workshop is a unique opportunity to meet, connect and partner with land-grant colleagues – including colleagues from Tribal Colleges and Historically Black Land-Grant Universities within the North Central Region.

28Jun/23

Ron talking to farmers in front of a corn field

Making a Difference for Kansas Water Quality

June 28, 2023Agriculture, Conservation, Extension, Soil Health, Water Quality, watershed management

Some of us measure a career in terms of years. Ron Graber, extension watershed specialist for Kansas State University, uses a whole different yardstick.

“When we start a career, we hope to make a difference,” said Graber. For him, that success is measured in innovative partnerships, successful management strategies, and improved water quality.

30May/23

Jon Stika, North Dakota Conservationists speaking at Soil and Water Conservation Leadership Program Training

North Dakota’s Soil and Water Conservation Leadership Academy looks to build knowledge and community

May 30, 2023Extension, soil conservation, Soil Health, Water

In November 2022, I assumed the role of NDSU Extension Specialist and Program Director for Soil and Water Leadership Development. With the assistance of two Program Coordinators and a team of Extension Specialists, I support and guide 54 distinct Soil Conservation Districts across the state of North Dakota.

03May/23

Two men sitting at a kitchen table discussing documents

New Trainings Aim to Close Knowledge Gaps About Financial Impacts of Conservation Agriculture Practices

May 3, 2023Agriculture, Conservation, conservation finance, Trainings

Conservation professionals and farm business management educators are among farmers’ key partners in ensuring their operations are sustainable and profitable. While each brings different expertise to their collaborations with farmers, one thing they have in commonRead More…

27Apr/23

Visual illustration of the nitrogen cycle

New Whitepaper Explores the Connection between Soil Health and Water Quality

April 27, 2023Extension, graphics, Soil Health, Water Quality

The Soil Health Nexus is excited to debut two new resources on the Soil Health Toolbox. Two Soil Health Nexus members, Francisco Arriaga, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Anna Cates, State Soil Health Specialist at the University of Minnesota, recently published a long-awaited whitepaper exploring the connection between soil health and water quality.

“While there has been a lot of work linking farm management practices with soil health or water quality, few have looked at the connection to both soil and water quality,” notes Cates. “Generally, management systems that lead to better soil health result in decreased risk to water quality, but that is not the case in all conditions or for all management systems. What works in one field for both soil health and water quality might not be the best option for another field. This whitepaper explores those intricacies so educators can better recognize and communicate when the relationship isn’t positively correlated.”

27Apr/23

Regional Water Programs: The Benefits of Collaboration

April 27, 2023Extension, Multi-state, Water

As of May, 2023, I will have completed one year as Interim Director of the North Central Region Water Network (NCRWN). Also in May, the NCRWN Leadership Team will be meeting in Chicago to do some strategic planning around the future of the Network. I can’t think of a better time to reflect on twenty plus years of multi-state collaborative water programs and the invaluable role the North Central Region Water Network has and continues to play in facilitating regional collaboration.

28Mar/23

People looking at a plant identifying different species

New Center offers Programs to Encourage Stewardship of Freshwater Lakes and Streams

March 28, 2023aquatic invasive species, Lakes, volunteer monitoring, Water Quality, watershed management

A new center focusing on Extension and research activities in the conservation and stewardship of Michigan’s lakes and streams is being developed by water professionals and Extension educators at Michigan State University. The Center for Lakes and Streams will consolidate the many programs MSU Extension and its partners offer to residents and user groups throughout the state and work with campus faculty and specialists, state agencies, other Universities, decision makers, agricultural producers and nonprofit, community, and riparian organizations to provide the most current information on the state of Michigan’s inland waters.