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THE DROP
A monthly e-newsletter from the North Central Region Water Network
January 2022
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Network News
As much of the region faces bitter cold, the North Central Region Water Network team has been busy thinking of July! We are excited to be hosting the Climate Intersection Conference this coming July 12-14th in Duluth, Minnesota. While Lake Superior may be edged in ice today, we are planning our visit during the summer sunshine and are looking forward to enjoying a local craft beer on the lake shore in six-months time.
So, mark your calendars and plan to join us as we gather in-person to learn, share and explore research, programs, and solutions for resilient landscapes, clean water, and equitable, thriving communities!
-Rebecca Power, Network Director and Anne Nardi, Network Communications
P.S. Want your water questions answered by colleagues? Use the North Central Region Water Network listserv to get answers quickly. To subscribe, email join-ncrwater@lists.wisc.edu
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While winter manure application can be beneficial for producers from a logistical, financial, and soil compaction standpoint, it has traditionally been discouraged due to concerns over runoff during spring thaws. Are there ways to spread manure in the winter months without jeopardizing water quality? Tune into the next edition of The Current Webinar Series as experts from across the region discuss their research on the water quality impacts and winter manure application. Register here
Photo credit: Eric Cooley, UW Discovery Farms
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Network SpotlightThe changing climate has had a great impact on our agricultural systems, affecting growing conditions and the overall profitability, especially on local and regional scales. Applying climate-smart agricultural practices can ensure our farming and food systems are able to adapt to these climate stressors but there are complex barriers to widespread adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. Read on
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As a kid, Keith Cherkauer spent a lot of time out in nature exploring waterbodies near Lake Michigan with his dad. “My father is a hydrogeologist, so I spent a lot of time out with him monitoring water quality and measuring streamflow,” notes Keith. When it comes to his lifework, he chose a similar path to his father. Keith is a Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue University where he works to quantifying how changes in land use and climate affect water availability, and how this in turn affects the reliability of food and fuel production. Read on
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In The NewsUpcoming Events
Cover crops and water qualityWednesday, February 16, 2022, 9AM CT
This is a multi-state webinar featuring the work of the Discovery Farms Programs focused on cover crops and water quality. Learn more
2022 Great Lakes Conference: Connecting Science and ManagementTuesday, March 8, 2022 9:30AM CTRegistration is now open for the 32nd Annual Great Lakes Conference. This is a virtual event that will feature presentations on Great Lakes ecology and Great Lakes water levels. Learn more
Multi-Regional Nitrate in Groundwater WorkshopTuesday & Wednesday, March 8-9, 2022This is a virtual workshop aimed to advance conservation practices that reduce groundwater nitrate concentrations. An invitation with registration information will be sent out in a few weeks. Learn more
Waste to Worth: Advancing Sustainability in Animal Agriculture
Monday-Saturday, April 18-23, 2022,
This conference is hosted by Ohio State Extension at the Maumee Bay State park Lodge & Conference Center in Oregon, OH. The conference will address water quality, air quality, soil health, manure storage and treatment systems, and more. Registration is due by April 15. Learn more
Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference
Wednesday & Thursday, April 27-28, 2022
This conference will feature and in person and online hybrid format. The in person conference will be held at the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign, IL. Registration opens February 22! Learn more
Funding and Opportunities
Funding for Support of Conferences or Regional Educational Events - NCR-SARE
The NCR-SARE program has limited funds available to support conferences and regional education events related to sustainable agriculture. Applications are reviewed four times a year. Applications received by January 31 will be informaed by February 7. Applications recieved by April 30 will be imformed by May 7. Learn more
Gulf of Mexico Historically Underserved Farmer to Farmer Grant Program - EPA
The EPA Gulf of Mexico Division (GMD) announced request for applications to support projects within the Gulf of Mexico watershed and that will support the Gulf of Mexico Farmer to Farmer objectives. Closing date is February 4, 2022. Learn more
Assistant Professor of Agroecology - Purdue UniversityThe College of Agriculture is seeking an Asisstant Professor of Agroecology to join the Agronomy Department. This is a full-time, tenure-track position. The review process begins February 7, 2022. Learn more
Farm-Led Conservation & Watershed Protection Mini-Grant Program - Mississippi State University
Funding is intended to expand farmer-led conservation demonstration efforts and associated farmer-led organizations. Closing date is February 15, 2022. Learn more
ORISE Felllowship with the US EPA Hypoxia Team
The Nonpoint Source Management Branch of the US EPA is currently accepting acpplications for an ORISE Fellowship. The selected participant will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through analysis and research with the EPA Hypoxia Team, the Hypoxia Task Force and SERA-46 in the Watershed Restoration, Assessment and Protection Division, within the Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. Applications are due April 15, 2022. Learn more
News
Ways to build social capital to help watershed managemnet projects succed -Human Capital Blog Series
In many ways, watershed management is relationship management. Strong connections and trust between watershed professionals, farmers, community members and groups, and local institutions are essential to implement the solutions for achieving the goals of a watershed plan. Read on
Breakthrough agricultural loan rewards farmers for environmental stewarship - EDFQuantifying the long-term financial benefits of conservation practices that build farm resilience and recognizing that value in the financing offered to farmers would be transformative for farms, lenders and the environment. That idea received a major boost when Farmers Business Network, a global farmer-to-farmer network and ag tech company, launched a new farm operating loan that includes a lower interest rate incentive for farmers who achieve climate and water quality benchmarks. Read on
USDA Offers Expanded Conservation Program Opportunities to Support Climate Smart Agriculture in 2022 - USDAThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing several new and expanded opportunities for climate smart agriculture in 2022. Updates include nationwide availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option, a new and streamlined EQIP Cover Crop Initiative, and added flexibilities for producers to easily re-enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Read on
U.S. aims to double cover crop planting to address climate change - ReutersThe United States aims to double the country's cover crop plantings to 30 million acres by 2030 under a new Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation program launched on Monday. The agency's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will spend $38 million to help farmers in 11 states plant crops at a time fields are often left fallow, which can bolster soil health, limit soil erosion and capture and store carbon. Read on
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