Story by Joni Harper Joni Harper joined the University of Missouri Extension as an agronomy specialist in 2007 and transitioned into a natural resources field specialist role in 2022, serving 26 counties in Missouri. She earnedRead More…
This past summer seven undergraduate students from across the US participated in Watershed Management Research and Outreach Internship Program. The program, which just completed its third year, places undergraduate students with Extension mentors at land-grant institutionsRead More…
n mid-September, agricultural and conservation educators came together for the Reginal Conservation Finance Ag Educator Training in Arlington, Wisconsin. Extension educators and partners from across the Midwest heard from agricultural economic experts about the financial benefits of conservation agriculture and how to tackle tough conversations around these topics. Attendees also got to see first-hand some of the research taking place at the US Dairy Forage Research Farm in nearby Prairie du Sac, and see how one farmer is taking a mob grazing approach to his operation on the shoes of Lake Wisconsin.
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The process of creating policies and procedures surrounding water and soil management is a bit more complex than one might imagine. Ideas are generated to correct water issues all while wondering about why these problems arise and how these policies affect those in every community. That is what Research and Extension Coordinator, Sarah Roth, looks for in her research as part of her position at the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center (WRC)
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We are excited to announce that the Network’s soil health team, the Soil Health Nexus, has recently received a North Central Region SARE Professional Development Grant to expand their outreach and education efforts. The grant, which started this month, will allow the team to enhance its Soil Health Toolbox, a resource hub for research-based soil health resources throughout the North Central Region, and create two new resources for ag professionals.
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Farmers and ranchers are increasingly interested in conservation practices to strengthen soil health and improve water quality for present and future generations. Conservation practices can also help farmers improve their profitability in the face of increasinglyRead More…
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.
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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…
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.
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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.
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