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THE DROP
A monthly e-newsletter from the North Central Region Water Network
February 2024
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Network News
The official end of winter is around the corner, and as the days are getting longer we are busy working on new programs and resources!
This month we are piloting a new leadership training in Wisconsin, Indiana and Arkansas encouraging farmers who are leaders in conservation to tell their story. While those results are still forthcoming, we are excited to announce that results of a survey of agricultural lenders in the Upper Midwest are now available. The survey, which was a collaboration with Environmental Defense Fund, Compeer Financial, and the Minnesota Water Resources Center, asked agricultural lenders about their perceptions on conservation agriculture and found there is ample opportunity for partnerships with conservation practitioners.
Be sure to check out these great resources and those listed below before field work begins!
-The North Central Region Water Network team
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Citizen science is a powerful engagement and education tool in protecting and improving water resources. But how is the data collected through citizen science programs used? This edition of The Current webinar series will feature two citizen science programs - the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network and Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program - and explore how the data collected by volunteers is being used to inform decision-makers and influence future research. Register
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Agricultural lenders are often farmers’ closest financial partners, and they have significant influence on a farmer’s financial decisions, including whether to invest in conservation practices. A recent survey of 179 agricultural lenders in the Upper Midwest revealed there may be promising opportunities for collaborations between them and conservation professionals in supporting farmers’ conservation decisions. Read onImage: USDA photo by Lance Cheung
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As Iowa becomes a more urbanized state, conservation is needed in the cities and towns just as much as the agriculture fields! Folks at Iowa State University are working hard to expand the resources available for those that want to practice conservation in their own backyards. Backyard conservation practices can make a big difference for wildlife diversity in cities, help stabilize soil, and help improve water quality in urban areas. Read on
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In The News
Upcoming Events
Collaborative Drought Planning Using Drought Scenario Exercises
March 6, 2024
Collaborative Drought Planning Using Scenario Exercises is an interactive website that provides information and tools to help plan drought scenario-based exercises — structured, interactive activities designed for engaging decision-makers, stakeholders, planners, emergency managers, and others in the process of planning and managing a hypothetical drought. This webinar, from the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, will feature Deborah Bathke and Tonya Bernadt of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Register hereMichigan Chapter SWCS 2024 ANR Seminar (St. Johns, Michigan)
March 8, 2024
Rural landscapes are complex environmental systems integrating crop, pasture, forest and other land uses, including riparian zones; all supported by soil and its complex physical, chemical and biological components. Many producers seek to redesign their cropping systems guided by agroecological principles whereby soil health and ecological services accumulate in mutually supportive ways. They are actively involved in devising, testing, and evaluating new and innovative practices on their farms to enhance biodiversity and beneficial interactions while improving resilience and mitigating risk. Attendees at this Seminar will discover practical and sustainable ways to manage rural landscapes. Register here
Using Community Engagement to Study Stormwater Infrastructure Resiliency Against Climate Change
March 21, 2024
Scientists are unsure how increasing precipitation associated with climate change will impact storm sewer infrastructure along Lake Erie’s coast. Studies are needed to explore how solutions like green infrastructure and low impact development can reduce stormwater runoff compared to traditional, “gray” infrastructure. Join Ohio Sea Grant's Freshwater Science webinar, featuring Dr. Suresh Sharma to learn more. Register here
CTIC's 17th Conservation in Action Tour
June 10-11, 2024
Registration is now open for CTIC’s 17th annual Conservation In Action tour in Arkansas. This years theme is Diversity in Conservation and the tour will be held June 10-11, with Memphis TN being the host city. Speakers and farm stops will be announced soon and there is a great group of farmer hosts to showcase conservation practices and technologies on rice, cotton, soybean and other cropping systems. Register here
Funding and Opportunities
CoCoRaHS Volunteer Precipitation Observer
The National Weather Service and partners are looking for volunteer rainfall monitors for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS). The network includes more than 20,000 volunteers nationwide who measure precipitation in their backyards using a standard 4-inch-diameter rain gauge. While CoCoRaHS is a year-round program, there is a nationwide outreach campaign this March to encourage new volunteers to join the effort. Learn more
Field Crops Outreach Coordinator – Northern Iowa Region
Are you passionate about helping farmers connect, building awareness about regenerative agriculture and providing farmer-led educational opportunities? Do you want to see more cover crops and small grains on the land – and do you want to support farmers in adopting these crops? The Practical Farmers of Iowa is seeking either a full-time field crops outreach coordinator or multiple part-time individuals to support this work in northern and eastern Iowa, as well as our expanding reach in northern Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin. Learn more
Program Coordinator, IIHR - University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is seeking to fill a Program Coordinator, IIHR position that will contribute to the research mission of IIHR–Hydroscience and Engineering by supporting the institute’s nationally-recognized hydrologic programs. This includes implementing programmatic activities for the Center for Hydrologic Development (CHD), the Iowa Flood Center, and serving as an effective and knowledgeable liaison between IIHR researchers and external stakeholders (agency personnel, policymakers, community leaders, and the public). Learn More
News
Kansas water specialists using data to spur aquifer recovery
Reducing water usage is important to replenishing the High Plains Aquifer. In as few as 40 years, the High Plains Aquifer could be 70% depleted, say state water officials, adding that actions taken now could help extend the life of this valuable resource. Read more
How socially and culturally diverse Minnesotans value water
Understanding how different communities value water and prioritize its protection is critical to effective policy and governance. University of Minnesota research recently published in Society & Natural Resources explores how socially and culturally diverse Minnesotans value water. While some values are universal — safe drinking water, for example — other values and priorities vary by sociocultural identities. Read more
2022 Ag Census reveals surprising trend in acreage of tile drainage in the Midwest
The 2022 Ag Census data was released on February 13, 2024. One census question asked, “During 2022, considering the total acres on this operation, how many acres were drained by tile?” This is the same question that was asked in 2017. Some Midwest states reported a reduction in acreage of subsurface tile drainage from 2017 to 2022. Read more
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