SERA46: Framework for Nutrient Reduction Strategy Collaboration: The Role for Land Grant Universities

(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)

Status: Active

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Annual/Termination Reports:

[04/10/2020] [12/20/2022] [08/18/2023]

Date of Annual Report: 04/10/2020

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 02/05/2020 - 02/06/2020
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2018 - 09/30/2019

Participants

Amanda Gumbert
Beth Baker (via Zoom)
Andrew Sharpley (Via Zoom)
Katie Flahive
Naveen Adusumilli
Mike Daniels
Jane Frankenburger
Rebecca Power
Jenny Seifert
Matt Helmers
Eric Young.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

SERA 46 Agenda and notes 2.5.2020.docx

Accomplishments

SERA-46: Framework for Nutrient Reduction Strategy Collaboration: The Role for Land Grant Universities Outputs and Outcomes Report for FY19 Objectives <ol> <li>Establish and strengthen relationships that can serve the missions of multiple organizations addressing nutrient management and environmental quality. </li> </ol> Outputs <ul> <li>Watershed Leadership Summit was held in February 2019 in Long Beach, MS</li> </ul> <ul> <li>SERA 46 members attended quarterly conference calls with the Hypoxia Task Force Coordinating Committee where they co-planned the Spring 2020 Hypoxia Task Force Meeting and SERA-46 meeting in Washington DC at the EPA headquarters</li> </ul> <ul> <li>SERA 46 met as a group in Baton Rouge in January 2019 to plan, develop renewal proposal and to develop 2018 Report of Accomplishments</li> </ul> <ul> <li>SERA 46 leadership met Hypoxia Task Force in May 2019. HTF meeting was postponed from February due to travel issues associated with weather</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Multi-State Synthesis Report - Ioannis Ziogas, Mississippi State University Ronald Cossman, Mississippi State University Richard Ingram, Mississippi State University Mae Davenport, University of Minnesota Ken Genskow, University of Wisconsin. Civic Engagement and Environmental Stewardship in the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin Area: Synthesis Report.  December 21, 2018.  This publication was developed under Cooperative Agreement 83675601 awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Members of SERA 46 continued to work with members of NC1190 to advance social science research to improve nutrient management. In particular, they are doing a joint research study to understand how nutrient management strategies were developed and how they are being implemented. This work is being done in the Upper Mississippi states.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>SERA-46 is establishing a connection with a research team at University of Wisconsin-Madison that is conducting cutting-edge modeling and policy research to support efforts to achieve sustainable food, bioenergy, and water systems in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. This project is funded by the National Science Foundation’s Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water Systems (INFEWS) program, and it is seeking the collaboration of SERA-46 and Hypoxia Task Force members to inform their research inputs and implications, to help ensure the research supports basin-wide goals for water quality, while also advancing scientific knowledge. The project liaison, Jenny Seifert, is a watershed outreach specialist at UW-Madison Division of Extension and has already met once with SERA-46 about the project. The project is in its first year, and there is a lot of potential for productive collaboration and impact in the region, particularly with the input of SERA-46. Through building a relationship with the research team at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, SERA 46 members partnered to obtain grant funding for Sustaining Agricultural Landscapes in the Upper Mississippi River Basin – National Science Foundation Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water Systems (INFEWS) – Power $350,332 (total $760,897 – Kucharik PI).</li> </ul> <ul> <li>SERA-46 members collaborated with other multistate committees sharing nutrient reduction priorities, including NCERA-217, Drainage design and management practices to improve water quality (Jane Frankenberger, Matt Helmers), and NC 1190 Catalysts for Water Resources Protection and Restoration: Applied Social Science Research (Ken Genskow).</li> </ul> <ul> <li>SERA 46 member Jane Frankenberger participated in a national workshop on EPA’s National Water Reuse Strategy, in order to provide information on the potential inclusion of the new practice of drainage water recycling.</li> </ul> Outcomes <ul> <li>Building on the success of the Great Lakes to Gulf Watershed Leadership Summit in 2018, members of the Southern Extension-Research Activity-46 (SERA-46) team hosted a second leadership summit in 2019 in Long Beach, Mississippi in February 2019 and brought together farmers, farm advisors, fishermen, state and federal agencies, universities, and NGOs to share ideas and develop partnerships to tackle nutrient losses in the Mississippi and Atchafalaya River basin (MARB). Over 40 participants from 13 states heard presentations on state nutrient reduction strategy progress and Gulf Coast conservation research, and brainstormed solutions to increasing adoption of conservation practices.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>SERA 46 will be meeting with the Hypoxia Task Force in February 2020 at EPA Headquarters in DC.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>The Synthesis report on Civic Engagement and Environmental Stewardship in the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin Area developed the following recommendations: maintain and expand the collaborative network created by this project, develop a programmatic research program on Environmental Civil Engagement (ECE) measures, and establish a common repository of ECE-driven data. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Long term Outcomes in Progress:</li> <li>Increase knowledge base among LGU and HTF/CC members on effective implementation of science-based approaches that reduce nutrient losses to the environment.</li> <li>Increased understanding of nutrient reduction strategies that can be employed across states.</li> <li>Increased collaboration among LGUs and HTF member agencies, as well as other public and private stakeholders.</li> <li>Increased sharing of nutrient reduction strategies across states.</li> <li>Strengthened relationships and communication between LGUs and HTF/CC members.</li> <li>Development of innovative solutions to nutrient losses, including working involvement of stakeholders in implementing those solutions.</li> <li>Better articulation and communication of current science, and science-based approaches, that reduce nutrient losses to the environment, including areas of broad agreement and those with diverse points of view.</li> <li>A shift in narrative and problem framing from traditional unilateral positions to collaborative thought-leading dialogue around reducing nutrient losses for societal and environmental benefits.</li> </ul> <ol start="2"> <li>Strengthen the knowledge base for discovery of new tools and practices as well as for the continual validation of recommended practices. </li> </ol> Outputs <ul> <li>Edge of Field monitoring to determine the impact and effectiveness of soil and water conservation practices on the quality of runoff leaving agricultural fields was conducted on Discovery Farms in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Arkansas and on REACH farms in Mississippi. Kentucky (Blue Water Program) established 16 edge-of-field monitoring sites in FY2019.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Developed two a Discovery Farm virtual Field Trip in August 2019 to discuss soil and water conservation practices including the use of cover crops, edge-of-field monitoring, minimum tillage, irrigation water management and partnerships. Video: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVbVMIWcjis&t=1189s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVbVMIWcjis&t=1189s</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTgOe7zwuGs&t=2648s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTgOe7zwuGs&t=2648s</a> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Developed a Soil and Water Conservation Virtual Field Trip on increasing irrigation efficiency and reducing runoff using soil moisture sensors, computerized design for furrow irrigation. Video:  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG902Z95GKc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG902Z95GKc</a></li> </ul> Outcomes <ul> <li>Videos have been viewed by 864 people</li> <li>In Indiana, 38 conservation professionals were trained through the Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy, which is a 5-month online and in-person course</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Long term outcomes in progress:</li> <li>An increased understanding and comprehension of scientific issues by the HTF/CC through the engagement and interaction with the SERA committee.</li> <li>A broader awareness and understanding of research efforts for all SERA/HTF/CC members across the 12 states.</li> <li>An increase in research protocol sharing among faculty in the Mississippi basin states.</li> <li>Greater collaboration of researchers across state borders as indicated by research publications, technology applications, symposium, etc.</li> <li>Advances in science-based public policy due to more robust monitoring and evaluation research.</li> <li>More consistent and improved understanding of best management practices (BMPs) effectiveness, modeling tools, and protocols due to multi-state research collaborations.            </li> </ul> <ol start="3"> <li>Improve the coordination and delivery of educational programming and increase the implementation effectiveness of nutrient management strategies for agricultural and non-agricultural audiences. </li> </ol>   Outputs <ul> <li>Watershed Leadership video on Farmers Helping Fisheries video: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bPnLrqzaH0&t=1s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bPnLrqzaH0&t=1s</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li>Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Community: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4qdFWhzMbU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4qdFWhzMbU</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li>Farmer to Farmer Education - July 25, 2019 Soil Health Management Systems Workshop, AACD on behalf of ASHA coordinated tour bus, starting location at the Brinkley Convention Center, tour of Chappell Farm, lunch at Nick’s in Carlisle, Tour of Bevis Farm and return travel to Brinkley Convention Center. Adam Chappell cotton mentor farmer, Robby Bevis mentor farmer, with Mike Daniels, Bill Robertson and Matt Fryer assistance with David Lamm assisting from the Soil Health Institute. 62 in attendance</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Farmer to farmer Education - August 13, 2019 Soil Health Management Systems workshop McGehee, Arkansas Steve Stevens farmer mentor;  25 in attendance</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Farmer to Farmer multistate grant funded ($1,088,025 million) to help facilitate farmers educating other farmers on soil and water conservation practices that protect water quality. I. Dr. Beth Baker, Mississippi State.  In addition to developing resources for and connections between farmers, this project also involves the implementation of a cover crop program as well as edge-of-field practice installation, including bioreactors and saturated buffers.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Missouri Extension has a statewide strip trial research effort in place for several years looking at proper nutrient utilization.  <a href="https://extension2.missouri.edu/programs/strip-trial-program/strip-trial-about">https://extension2.missouri.edu/programs/strip-trial-program/strip-trial-about</a> with John Lory as the lead.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>A curriculum on cultivating farmer leadership in watershed management is in development. This training arose in response to the needs assessment conducted by the project team on training needs for farmers. It is being developed as an “off-the-shelf” curriculum that Extensions specialists, watershed coordinators, NGOs, and other groups can use to engage farmers and encourage their leadership. With one pilot run under its belt, conducted with a group of farmer leaders in Arkansas, and another pilot in the works, the curriculum is benefitting from feedback and refinement by our pilot partners. For the second pilot, the project team has partnered with American Farmland Trust in Ohio to conduct the training with a fledgling farmer-led watershed group in the Upper Scioto. The curriculum promises to help empower farmers to see their place as leaders in watershed management and increase their involvement in local efforts.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>The project resurrected and revitalized a newsletter for watershed professionals, called The Confluence, to cultivate a new generation of watershed leaders. This quarterly newsletter informs its subscribers with insights, success stories, and opportunities that enhance knowledge and leadership capacity in watershed management. Two issues went out in the 2019 fiscal year to over 110 subscribers, who were attendees of the Great Lakes to Gulf Watershed Leadership Summits. For the upcoming fiscal year, we have developed a strategy to grow newsletter readership and maintain it as a thread throughout SERA-46 projects aimed at supporting watershed leadership.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>The team produced a report identifying needs for facilitating farmer leadership in watershed management, called “Fostering and Facilitating Farmer Leadership in Watershed Management Projects.” The needs assessment outlines three ways farmers can exhibit leadership and six types of support farmers need to be able to lead successfully. The report can be found here: <a href="https://northcentralwater.org/files/2019/07/MARBreport-7-2019.pdf">https://northcentralwater.org/files/2019/07/MARBreport-7-2019.pdf</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li>Linda Prokopy’s research continued to add to our understanding of how best to conduct educational programming. In particular, reviews of both the qualitative and quantitative literature on conservation adoption published over the last 30 years, advanced our understanding of factors that lead to increased uptake of practices. Additional work highlighted the role of working with the private sector and identified barriers to promoting conservation adoption on rented lands.  Publications are listed below:</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Prokopy, Linda S., Kristin Floress, J.Gordon Arbuckle, Sarah P. Church, Francis R. Eanes, Yuling Gao*, Benjamin M. Gramig, Pranay Ranjan, Ajay S. Singh. 2019. Adoption of Agricultural Conservation Practices in the United States: Evidence from 35 Years of Quantitative Literature. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 74(5): 520-534.</li> <li>Church, Sarah P., Nicholas Babin, Belyna Bentlage, Michael Dunn, Jessica D. Ulrich-Schad, Pranay Ranjan, Joe Magner, Eileen McLellan, Susi Stephan, Mark D. Tomer, Linda S. Prokopy. 2019. The Beargrass Story: Utilizing Social Science to Evaluate and Learn from the “Watershed” Approach. Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education. 167: 78-96.</li> <li>Ranjan, Pranay, Sarah P. Church, Kristin Floress, Linda S. Prokopy. 2019. Synthesizing Conservation Motivations and Barriers: What Have We Learned from Qualitative Studies of Farmers’ Behaviors in the United States? Society and Natural Resources. 32(11): 1171-1199.</li> <li>Ranjan, Pranay, Ajay S. Singh, Mark Tomer, Ann Lewandowski, Linda S. Prokopy. 2019. Lessons Learned from Using a Decision-Support Tool for Precision Placement of Conservation Practices in Six Agricultural Watersheds in the US Midwest Journal of Environmental Management. Journal of Environmental Management, 239: 57-65.</li> <li>Eanes, Francis R., Ajay S. Singh, Brian R. Bulla, Pranay Ranjan, Mary Fales, Benjamin Wickerham, Patrick J. Doran, Linda S. Prokopy. 2019. Crop advisers as conservation intermediaries: Perceptions and policy implications for relying on nontraditional partners to increase U.S. farmers’ adoption of soil and water conservation practices. Land Use Policy, 81: 360-370.</li> <li>Ranjan, Pranay, Chloe Wardropper, Francis Eanes, Sheila Reddy, Seth Harden, Yuta Masuda, Linda Prokopy. 2019. Understanding Barriers and Opportunities for Adoption of Conservation Practices on Rented Farmland in the U.S. Land Use Policy, 80: 214-223.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Missouri Extension is working to re-implement a manure and nutrient management education academy.  This has been dormant for nearly 10 years. </li> </ul> Outcomes <ul> <li>Video viewed by 771 as of April 7, 2020</li> <li>110 Subscribers to The Confluence</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Long term outcomes in progress:</li> <li>Through the forums described above, LGUs will advance science-based, solution-oriented conversations addressing point and nonpoint sources of N and P, and continue dialogue with the agricultural community at state and national levels to support the development and implementation of state nutrient strategies.</li> <li>Improve capacity for engaging and educating agribusinesses, farmers, and urban and urbanizing communities about water quality and the state’s nutrient strategy.</li> <li>Agricultural stakeholders will be better equipped to participate in state nutrient strategies as business leaders and citizen stewards of soil and water resources.</li> <li>Participating agencies will have a greater understanding of the economic and logistical challenges in agricultural nutrient management as well as potential solutions to those challenges.</li> <li>Effective implementation of science-based approaches to nutrient management that reduces nutrient losses to the environment.</li> </ul> Funding Outcomes Since the formation of SERA-46, members have worked to develop funding to support efforts.  To date over $3,000,000 in grants have been funded: <table> <tbody> <tr> <td width="108"> Priority </td> <td width="75"> Instit. </td> <td width="90"> PI </td> <td width="175"> Project </td> <td width="122"> Source </td> <td width="102"> Funds </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> State Nutrient Strategies </td> <td width="75"> Univ of Illinois </td> <td width="90"> Reid Christianson </td> <td width="175"> Science Assessment </td> <td width="122"> WFF </td> <td width="102"> $     344,954 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Social Indicators </td> <td width="75"> MSU </td> <td width="90"> Richard Ingram </td> <td width="175"> Social Indicators </td> <td width="122"> EPA </td> <td width="102"> $     151,440 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Social Indicators </td> <td width="75"> MSU </td> <td width="90"> Richard Ingram </td> <td width="175"> Social Indicators </td> <td width="122"> GOMA </td> <td width="102"> $       13,500 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Network of Practicioners </td> <td width="75"> Univ of Wisconsin </td> <td width="90"> Rebecca Power </td> <td width="175"> Building Capacity for Watershed Leadership </td> <td width="122"> EPA </td> <td width="102"> $     247,895 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Measurement Framework </td> <td width="75"> Univ of Illinois </td> <td width="90"> Laura Christianson </td> <td width="175"> NPS Framework </td> <td width="122"> WFF </td> <td width="102"> $     314,308 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> </td> <td width="75"> </td> <td width="90"> </td> <td width="175"> </td> <td width="122"> </td> <td width="102"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Farmer led Education </td> <td width="75"> MSU </td> <td width="90"> Beth Baker </td> <td width="175"> Farmer to Farmer </td> <td width="122"> EPA </td> <td width="102"> 1,088,025 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Network of Practioners </td> <td width="75"> MSU </td> <td width="90"> Leslie Burger/Beth Baker </td> <td width="175"> Sustainability Training in Agricultural Resource Systems (STARS): A Train-the-Trainer Model for Agriculture and Natural Resources Professionals </td> <td width="122"> USDA-SSARE </td> <td width="102"> $ 78,268 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Sustaining Ag. Landscapes </td> <td width="75"> Univ of Wisconsin </td> <td width="90"> Rebecca Power </td> <td width="175"> Sustaining Agricultural Landscapes in the Upper Mississippi River Basin </td> <td width="122"> NSF </td> <td width="102"> $350,332 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Conservation Adoption </td> <td width="75"> Purdue </td> <td width="90"> Linda Prokopy </td> <td width="175">  Impacts of Cover Crop Champions Program on Non-Conservation Adopting Farmers </td> <td width="122"> NWF </td> <td width="102"> $17,000 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Conservation Adoption </td> <td width="75"> Purdue </td> <td width="90"> Linda Prokopy </td> <td width="175"> Natural Resources Conservation Service (Co-PI): Nutrient Stabilizer Adoption </td> <td width="122"> NRCS </td> <td width="102"> $79,457 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Conservation Adoption </td> <td width="75"> Purdue </td> <td width="90"> Linda Prokopy </td> <td width="175">  (PI): Identify Structural Barriers to the Adoption of Natural Infrastructure Practices </td> <td width="122"> Env. Defense Fund </td> <td width="102"> $34,500 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Conservation Adoption </td> <td width="75"> Purdue </td> <td width="90"> Linda Prokopy </td> <td width="175"> : Understanding Persistence of Cover Crop Use in Big Pine Watershed </td> <td width="122"> Indiana Corn Growers/Soybean Association (PI) </td> <td width="102"> $10,000 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Conservation Adoption </td> <td width="75"> Purdue </td> <td width="90"> Linda Prokopy </td> <td width="175">  Understanding Persistence of Cover Crop Use in Upper White, Lower Wabash, and St. Marys Watersheds (3 separate grants) </td> <td width="122"> The Nature Conservancy </td> <td width="102"> $70,000 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Conservation Adoption </td> <td width="75"> Purdue </td> <td width="90"> Linda Prokopy </td> <td width="175"> Readiness Assessment for NRES to Use ACPF </td> <td width="122"> NRCS </td> <td width="102"> $183,986 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Conservation Adoption </td> <td width="75"> Purdue </td> <td width="90"> Linda Prokopy </td> <td width="175"> National Wildlife Federation (PI): Testing Efficacy of Messaging on Farmer Attitudes and Behaviors </td> <td width="122"> NWF </td> <td width="102"> $20,000 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Conservation Adoption </td> <td width="75"> Purdue </td> <td width="90"> Linda Prokopy </td> <td width="175"> Assessing the Strengths and Limitations of Voluntary Conservation to Modify Agricultural Practices </td> <td width="122"> Walton Family Foundation: </td> <td width="102"> $100,000 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108"> Watershed Protection </td> <td width="75"> Univ. of Ark </td> <td width="90"> John Pennington </td> <td width="175">  Update of the Watershed Stewardship Program in Arkansas </td> <td width="122"> </td> <td width="102"> $91,613 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108">   </td> <td width="75">   </td> <td width="90">   </td> <td width="175">   </td> <td width="122">   </td> <td width="102">   </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="108">  Totals </td> <td width="75">   </td> <td width="90">   </td> <td width="175"> </td> <td width="122"> </td> <td width="102"> $  3,103,665 </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Publications

<ul> <li>Publications</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Clark, J., K.S. Veum; F.G. Fernández, N.R. Kitchen; J.J. Camberato, P.R. Carter, R.B. Ferguson, D.W. Franzen, D.E. Kaiser, C.A.M. Laboski, E.D. Nafziger, C.J. Rosen, J.E. Sawyer, and J.F. Shanahan. 2019. US Midwest soil and weather conditions influence anaerobic potentially mineralizable nitrogen. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 83:1137–1147.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Ransom, C., N.R. Kitchen; J.J. Camberato, P.R. Carter, R.B. Ferguson, F.G. Fernández, W. Franzen, C.A.M Laboski, D.B. Myers, E.D. Nafziger, J.E. Sawyer, and J.F. Shanahan. 2019. Statistical and machine learning methods evaluated for incorporating soil and weather into corn nitrogen recommendations. Comp. and Elect. Agric. 164: 104872.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Vetsch J.A., G.W. Randall, and F.G. Fernández. Nitrate loss in subsurface drainage from a corn-soybean rotation as affected by nitrogen rate and nitrapyrin. J Environ. Qual. 48: 988-994.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Spackman, J.A., F.G. Fernández, J.A. Coulter, D.E. Kaiser, G.D. Paiao. 2019. Soil texture and precipitation influence optimal time of nitrogen fertilization for corn. Agron. J. 111:2018-2030.</li> <li>Sharpley, Daniels, Slaton, Berry, Burk, Hallmark and Riley. Monitoring Potassium Losses in Runoff on Arkansas Discovery Farms: Preliminary Findings.  In Wayne Sabbe Soil Fertility Report Series.  Report Series 649.  Nathan Slaton, Ed.   University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.  35-42.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Fryer, L. Berry, P. Webb, L. Riley, A. Sharpley, M. Daniels, and N. Slaton. 2020. Spatial Variability of Soil-Test Potassium and Other Soil Properties in 10 Arkansas Discovery Farm Fields. N.A. Slaton, editor, Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas soil fertility studies 2019. Res Ser.___. Univ. of Arkansas Agric. Exp. Stn., Fayetteville. Not yet accessible online.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Daniels, M.B.,A.N. Sharpley, B. Robertson, E. Gbur, L. Riley, P. Webb, B.L. Singleton, A. Free, L. Berry, C. Hallmark and T. Nehls.   Nutrients in runoff from cotton production in the Lower Mississippi River Basin: An on-farm study.  Agrosyst. Geosci. Environ. 2:190033. Available at https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/age/articles/2/1/190033.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Daniels, M., A.N. Sharpley, B. Robertson, P. Webb,L. Riley, A. Free, and M. Freyaldenhoven.   Seasonal nutrient losses in runoff from cotton.  Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 30:95-102.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Sharpley, A.N.2019. The future of farming: Links between lab and land will be critical.  Scientific American.  November 22, 2019. https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/the-future-of-farming/</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Sharpley, A.N., M.J. Helmers, P.J.A. Kleinman, K. King, A. Leytem, and N. Nelson.   Managing crop nutrients to achieve water quality goals.  J. Soil Water Conserv.  74(5):91A-101A. doi:10.2489/jswc.74.5.91A.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Burger, L.W., Kristine O. Evans Mark D. McConnell and Leslie M. Burger. 2019.  Private Lands Conservation: A Vision for the Future.  Wildlife Society Bulletin 1–10; 2019; DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1001</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Peterson, H., Williams, M., Frankenberger, J., King, K., McGrath, J., Moody, L., Ribaudo, M., Strock, J., Johnson, K. and Nelson, N., 2019. Reducing the impacts of agricultural nutrients on water quality across a changing landscape. Issue Paper-Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), https://www.cast-science.org/publication/reducing-the-impacts-of-agricultural-nutrients-on-water-quality-across-a-changing-landscape/.</li> </ul>

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 12/20/2022

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/14/2022 - 03/14/2022
Period the Report Covers: 03/01/2020 - 03/01/2022

Participants

Naveen Adusumilli (Chair)., Louisiana State University
Dan Downing (co-chair/secretary), , University of Missouri
Rebecca Power, University of Wisconsin
Amanda Gumbert, University of Kentucky
Jenny Seifert,University of Wisconsin
Forbes Walker, University of Missouri
Beth Baker, Mississippi State University
Matt Helmers. Iowa State University

Guests: Katie Flahive and Ellen Gilinsky, USEPA.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

SERA 46 March 2022 Annual Meeting Notes.docx

Accomplishments

2020-2021 SERA-46 Accomplishments/Annual Report  Overall Accomplishments  Objective 1: Establish and strengthen relationships that can serve the missions of multiple organizations addressing nutrient management and environmental quality. <ul> <li> Support regular communication and collaboration among LGUs, HTF members, and other partners to strengthen multi-state approaches regarding agricultural and environmental research and outreach.</li> <li>Encourage intrastate interactions among state agencies, universities, and others to meet state-level nutrient reduction goals.</li> <li>Leverage the synergy of the HTF-LGU relationship to seek/secure funding to support multi-state initiatives that address HTF goals</li> </ul>   The above objectives are achieved through one or more of the below activities- <ul> <li> Farmer-Led Watershed Leadership Summits</li> <li>Farmer-led Watershed leadership video development</li> <li>Newsletters and staff reports (e.g., The Confluence)</li> <li>Collaborative Impact - the LSU AgCenter served on the Governor’s Climate Action plan agriculture subcommittee to identify action plan strategies to identify the role of nutrient management on working lands, and consequently nutrient loss to bodies of water.</li> <li>Interstate Interactions - The University of Kentucky led efforts to build capacity within the KY Division of Conservation staff for developing nutrient management plans for farmers. Collaborations among the University of Kentucky, KY Division of Conservation, and the KY Division of Water also resulted in updated tools to implement nutrient management on the ground and comply with the KY Ag Water Quality Act, two key components of KY’s nutrient reduction strategy.</li> </ul>   The above activities meet and surpass the proposed SERA-46 milestones listed below: <ul> <li>By Spring 2020 SERA-46 will have developed at least one video featuring the MARB Watershed Leadership Network to share with HTF.</li> <li>By Spring 2020 SERA-46 will have reaffirmed or established new liaisons between SERA-46 and at least 3 other multistate committees addressing SERA-46 and HTF Shared Priorities</li> <li>By Spring 2021 SERA-46 will have developed and implemented a strategy for collaboration with the agriculture and food industry, including farmers, fishermen, and restaurateurs.</li> </ul>    Objective 2: Strengthen the knowledge base for the discovery of new tools and practices as well as for the continual validation of recommended practices. <ul> <li> Strengthen the science base that informs our understanding of the efficacy of nutrient and water management strategies at multiple temporal and spatial scales</li> <li>Refine and increase the use of appropriate nutrient and water decision support tools for better decision-making</li> <li>Promote environmental assessment research to improve soil and water quality</li> </ul>   The above objectives are achieved through one or more of the below activities -  SERA-46 continues to meet with HTF/CC by having representation at CC calls to hear needs and issues. The members serve on state-level hypoxia working groups to prioritize state action plans. Following the submission of the 2019 proposal, the shared priorities document was updated by chairs Mike Daniels and Jane Frankenberger; the updated document was shared with HTF liaison Katie Flahive.  Delivery: Beth Baker, Mississippi State University; Rebecca Power, University of Wisconsin Madison, Amanda Gumbert, University of Kentucky, Laura Christianson and Reid Christianson, University of Illinois, Mike Daniels, the University of Arkansas with SERA-46 colleagues.  Monitoring Progress: Through partnerships with multiple universities, efforts to monitor water quality have, thus far, been successful. The two watersheds actively being monitored are the Embarras River (HUC 8: 05120112) monitored by the University of Illinois, and the Big Sunflower River (HUC 8: 08030207) monitored by Mississippi State University. Historic data available through USGS as well as current data gathered by these monitoring efforts will be used as components when constructing water quality models to assess water quality improvements due to conservation implementation within the entire Mississippi River Basin.  The above activities meet and surpass the proposed SERA-46 milestones listed below: <ul> <li>By Spring 2020, SERA-46 will have met with HTF/CC members for hearing needs and issues as well as sharing the proposed goals and activities</li> <li>By Fall 2020, SERA-46 will have identified key areas of needed emphasis based on SERA/HTF engagement and state summaries of research efforts.</li> <li>By Spring 2021, SERA-46 will have produced a summary paper and begun some multistate research/validation efforts.</li> </ul>    Objective 3: Improve the coordination and delivery of educational programming and increase the implementation effectiveness of nutrient management strategies for agricultural and non-agricultural audiences. <ul> <li> Customize educational programming (and information sharing) to the learning styles of the various audience segments - Farmers, Farm Advisors, Agencies, Extension Agents, and the public.</li> <li>Increase the emphasis on social science factors in targeting educational methods to increase conservation adoption and effectiveness</li> </ul>  Delivery: Beth Baker, Mississippi State University; Rebecca Power, University of Wisconsin Madison, Amanda Gumbert, University of Kentucky, Laura Christianson and Reid Christianson, University of Illinois, Mike Daniels, University of Arkansas, with SERA-46 colleagues.  Farmer to Farmer Summit: One of the prominent goals to improve the delivery of educational material is for farmers to engage in farmer-to-farmer communication. To this end, we planned and held a series of field days encouraging that communication which we dubbed our Farmer-to-Farmer exchanges.  The first exchange was held in February 2020 in the southern Mississippi River Basin as a two-day event which roughly 30 people attended. The first day consisted of visits to two farms, one in Mississippi and one in Arkansas, that use a combination of conservation practices that they find to improve their production systems. During those visits the landowners talked about their farm history, implementation of conservation practices, continued maintenance, adaptive management, and subsequent challenges. The exchange also featured presentations by specialists on the use of nutrient reduction strategies, soil moisture sensors, and the edge of field sampling. The second day of the exchange was primarily focused on presentations, group discussion, and evaluation of the event content and impact. Presentations included topics of agribusiness, farmer-led watershed networks, and return on investment of conservation practices from a farmer’s perspective as well as a discussion about leadership and communication strategies between farmers.   Virtual Shop Talk Series: Due to Covid-19 precautions in February of 2021, instead of having a second Farmer to Farmer exchange as initially planned, a series of virtual Shop Talk events were held. They were a series of four two-hour sessions themed around “Virtual Shop Talk: Resource Stewardship in Hard Times.” Each shop talk consisted of 2-3 farmers or farmer partners as speakers and small group breakouts to discuss ideas presented by the speakers. There were about 200 participants representing 18 states. The online format of the talks came with its unique challenges and benefits. As an example of one of the challenges, attendees needed to speak one at a time during discussions, rather than having several parallel farmer-to-farmer exchange conversations that would have been possible at an in-person event. Inversely, one of the greatest benefits of the online format was the ease of access for attendees. Had the exchange been in person, the geographical diversity would have been much lower. The online format also allowed people to attend from a laptop or phone, further increasing accessibility. Recordings of the speakers for the 4 virtual Shop Talk events can be found online from the North Central Region Water Network website <a href="https://northcentralwater.org/watershed-leadership/farmer-to-farmer-conservation-learning-and-leadership/virtual-farmer-shop-talks/">here</a>.  Conservation Demonstration Expansion across the MARB: Demonstration of proper conservation techniques is a powerful tool when advocating for the adoption and implementation of conservation practices. To this end, the University of Illinois has installed a denitrifying bioreactor at a demonstration site in Rock Island County. The drainage area for this project is roughly 90 acres and could remove around 240 pounds of nitrogen per year, 25% of the watershed nitrate load. There is also a cover crop program that helps distribute cover crop seeds to farmers which have been very successful. The University of Kentucky has been producing virtual content (field days, videos) designed to highlight different grazing management conservation practices and where they’re needed on the landscape.  Farmer-Led Watershed Conservation Demonstration & Protection Mini-Grant Program: Over three years, eight different mini-grants have been distributed to farmer-led groups in the Mississippi River Basin. The Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, The Daviess County Conservation District in Kentucky, The University of Wisconsin Extension and Ag in conjunction with The Lower Trempealeau River Producer-Led Watershed Group, The Beaver Watershed Alliance in Arkansas, Rock County Soil and Water Conservation District in Minnesota, Green Lake Association in Wisconsin, Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District in Kentucky, and Champaign County SWCD in Illinois have all received mini-grants and have either completed their objectives or are working towards them. Because a demonstration or field day is a required component of the mini-grant, those grants that have finished reporting show that these efforts have reached over 150 farmers and agricultural advisors/consultants directly with that number increasing as more grants are completed and reported on. There will also be a final four more mini-grants distributed in early 2022 eventually bringing the total to 12 mini-grants. More information about the program can be found on Mississippi State University’s REACH website <a href="https://www.reach.msstate.edu/grant-application.php">here</a>.  One Good Idea Platform & Campaign: One Good Idea was conceived as a multimedia clearinghouse of information that features farmers’ ideas and experiences with practices that are helping them improve their soil, land, and bottom lines. The name comes from a comment made by one of the farmers at our first farmer to farmer exchange, that it’s important to find one good idea that will help you to take the next step in conservation. The website hosts videos and podcasts by farmers, for farmers, backed by research. The team developing the site also checks submissions to make sure the claims are accurate and not exaggerated and that the idea isn’t just trying to promote products. The site was launched in quarter 4 of 2021 and in the short time it has been running, there is already a large amount of interest from government conservation agencies, university extension agencies, and non-profit groups. The website and its content can be accessed at <a href="https://goodideafarm.org/">https://goodideafarm.org/</a>, and has social media on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYnEAj5RnIXkH6WJ8vcorCA">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/goodideafarm/">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/GoodIdeaFarm">Twitter</a>.  The above activities meet and surpass the proposed SERA-46 milestones listed below: <ul> <li>By Spring 2020, SERA-46 will have reported to the HTF on farmer-led watershed activities and demonstration efforts throughout the MARB</li> <li>By Fall 2020, the HTF will have identified and expanded information of model programs working with farmers to at least one state.</li> <li>By Spring 2021, SERA-46 will have developed an online platform for communicating farmer-led watershed activities, decision support tools, and information related to conservation effectiveness- aggregating farmer resources</li> </ul>

Publications

Minnesota: Paiao, G.D., F.G. Fernández, and S. Naeve. 2021. Drainage conditions influence corn-nitrogen management in the US Upper Midwest. Agronomy 11: 2491. Doi: 10.3390/agronomy11122491   Minnesota: Bean, G.M., C.J. Ransom, N.R. Kitchen, P.C. Scharf, K. Veum, J.J. Camberato, R.B. Ferguson, F.G. Fernández, D.W. Franzen, C.A.M. Laboski, E.D. Nafziger, J.E. Sawyer, and R. Nielsen. 2021. Soil hydrologic grouping guide which soil and weather properties best estimate corn nitrogen need. Agron. J. 113: 5541-5555.   Minnesota: Ransom, C. J., J. D. Clark, G. M. Bean, C. J. Bandura, M. Shafer, N. R. Kitchen, J. J. Camberato, P. R. Carter, R. B. Ferguson, F.G. Fernández, D. W. Franzen, C. A. M. Laboski, D.B. Myers. E. D. Nafziger, and J. E. Sawyer. 2021. Performance and refinement of nitrogen fertilization tools. Dryad Dataset. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.66t1g1k2g   Minnesota: Ransom, C. J., J. D. Clark, G. M. Bean, C. J. Bandura, M. Shafer, N. R. Kitchen, J. J. Camberato, P. R. Carter, R. B. Ferguson, F.G. Fernández, D. W. Franzen, C. A. M. Laboski, D.B. Myers. E. D. Nafziger, J. E. Sawyer, and J. F. Shanahan. 2021. Data from a public–industry partnership for enhancing corn nitrogen research. Agron. J. 113: 4429-4436.   Minnesota: Wilson, M.L., C.J. Pfarr, F.G. Fernández, and J.A. Coulter. 2021. Dragging a manure hose over corn at early growth stages does not reduce yield. Agron. J. 113:3910-3921.   Minnesota: Alexander, J.R., J.A. Spackman, M.L. Wilson, F.G. Fernández, and R.T. Venterea. 2021. Capture efficiency of four chamber designs for measuring ammonia emissions. Agrosyst. Geosci. Environ. 021:4:e20199. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20199   Minnesota: Yang, C., W. Yang, T.J. Nigon, Z. Hao, G.D. Paiao, F.G. Fernández, and D.J. Mulla. 2021. Estimation of corn yield based on convolutional neural network and hyperspectral imagery. Comput. Electron. Agr. 184:106092 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2021.106092   Minnesota: Ransom, C.J., N.R. Kitchen, J.J. Camberato, P.R. Carter, R.B. Ferguson, F.G. Fernández, D.W. Franzen, C.A.M. Laboski, D. B. Myers, E.D. Nafziger, J.E. Sawyer, and J.F. Shanahan. 2021. Improving publicly available corn nitrogen rate recommendation tools with soil and weather measurements. Agron. J. 113:2068-2090.   Minnesota: Cummings, C., Y. Miao, G.D. Paiao, S. Kang, and F.G. Fernández. 2021. Corn nitrogen status diagnosis with an innovative multi-parameter crop circle phenom sensing system. Remote Sens. 13:401-419 https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13030401   Minnesota: Paiao, G.D., F.G. Fernández, J.A. Spackman, D.E. Kaiser, and S. Weisberg. 2021. Integrating canopy sensing and soil nitrogen for improved corn nitrogen management. Agron. J. 113:1996-2005.

Impact Statements

An increase emphasis on social science factors in educational methods to increase conservation adoption and effectiveness focused on "farmer to farmer" exchanges. Thirty farmers participated in a two-day in-person Farmer to Farmer Summit. In 2021 200 farmers particiapted in a virtual Summit which led to the One Good Idea ( https://goodideafarm.org/ ) platform and campaign to have farmers share ideas that improved their farm and conservatoin efforts.

Date of Annual Report: 08/18/2023

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/06/2023 - 03/06/2023
Period the Report Covers: 03/01/2022 - 06/30/2023

Participants

Dan Downing (MO)(Chair), Ken Genskow (WI)(co-chair/secretary), John Lawrence (Administrative Advisor), Nathan Slaton (Administrative Advisor), Shelly Nickols-Richardson (IL, Administrative Advisor),
Eric Norland (USDA NIFA Representative), Naveen Adusumilli (LA), Noel Aloysius (MO), Beth Baker (MS), Timothy Baye (WI), Joe Bonnell (WI), Mike Daniels (AR), Jane Frankenberger (IN), Amanda Gumbert (KY), Matt Helmers (IA), Jenny Seifert (WI), Forbes Walker (TN)
Guests: Katie Flahive (USEPA), Whitney King (USEPA), Jake Greif (USEPA), Elisabeth Lang (USEPA)

Participants Attachment:

2023August_SERA46Annual Report.docx

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Minutes_2023Mar6SERA46AnnualMeeting.pdf

Accomplishments

Overall Accomplishments   Accomplishments are organized around the project’s three main objectives.  Objective 1: Establish and strengthen relationships that can serve the missions of multiple organizations addressing nutrient management and environmental quality. <ul> <li>Support regular communication and collaboration among LGUs, HTF members, and other partners to strengthen multi-state approaches regarding agricultural and environmental research and outreach.</li> <li>Encourage intrastate interactions among state agencies, universities, and others to meet state-level nutrient reduction goals.</li> <li>Leverage the synergy of the HTF-LGU relationship to seek/secure funding to support multi-state initiatives that address HTF goals</li> </ul>  The above objectives are achieved through the activities listed below - <ul> <li>Farmer-Led Watershed Leadership Summits</li> <li>Farmer-led Watershed leadership video development</li> <li>Newsletters and staff reports (e.g., The Confluence)</li> <li>Online exchange platform (OneGoodIdea: <a href="https://goodideafarm.org">https://goodideafarm.org</a> )</li> <li>Collaborative Impact – University engagement with state agencies on topics related to state nutrient reduction strategies and broader activities that support HTF Action Plan goals (e.g., action plan strategies to identify the role of nutrient management on working lands, and consequently nutrient loss to bodies of water.)</li> <li>Individual representatives of SERA 46 networking with, and providing input into their state's nutrient management plans and networking and planning with NRCS and FSA on nutrient management strategies.</li> <li>In response to USEPA announcement of a new Gulf Hypoxia Program (GHP), funded through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL, P>L> 117-58, aka the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA)), SERA-46 submitted a draft scope of work to USEPA GHP staff to inform a future cooperative agreement around LGU engagement in priorities of the Hypoxia Task Force. Several SERA-46 university staff/faculty assisted state agencies in forming responses to new GHP funding opportunities.</li> </ul>   Activities to date meet and surpass the proposed SERA-46 milestones for Objective 1 listed below: <ul> <li>By Spring 2020 SERA-46 will have developed at least one video featuring the MARB Watershed Leadership Network to share with HTF.</li> <li>By Spring 2020 SERA-46 will have reaffirmed or established new liaisons between SERA-46 and at least 3 other multistate committees addressing SERA-46 and HTF Shared Priorities</li> <li>By Spring 2021 SERA-46 will have developed and implemented a strategy for collaboration with the agriculture and food industry, including farmers, fishermen, and restaurateurs.</li> </ul>  Objective 2: Strengthen the knowledge base for the discovery of new tools and practices as well as for the continual validation of recommended practices. <ul> <li>Strengthen the science base that informs our understanding of the efficacy of nutrient and water management strategies at multiple temporal and spatial scales.</li> <li>Refine and increase the use of appropriate nutrient and water decision support tools for better decision-making.</li> <li>Promote environmental assessment research to improve soil and water quality.</li> </ul>  The above objectives are achieved through the activities listed below - SERA-46 continues to meet with HTF/CC by having representation at CC calls to hear needs and issues. The members serve on state-level hypoxia working groups to prioritize state action plans.  In August 2022, the International Drainage Symposium was held in Des Moines, IA. This brought together researcher, engineers, NGOs, and agency personnel to discuss and learn from others about drainage needs and research. This included numerous presentations on drainage water quality, drainage design, and edge of field practices. Over 200 attendees representing 13 countries.  Monitoring: Through partnerships with multiple universities, efforts to monitor water quality have focused on two pilot watersheds: the Embarras River (HUC 8: 05120112) monitored by the University of Illinois, and the Big Sunflower River (HUC 8: 08030207) monitored by Mississippi State University. Historic data available through USGS as well as current data gathered by these monitoring efforts are used as components when constructing water quality models to assess water quality improvements due to conservation implementation within the entire Mississippi River Basin. This year, Mississippi State University ceased water quality monitoring Big Sunflower River watershed after cover crop termination per the original proposal and data has been organized and analyzed. Preliminary results of the monitoring and comparison with historical data was presented in a poster presentation at the MS Water resource Conference April 12-14. The University of Illinois has completed monitoring of the Embarrass River watershed associated with bioreactor implementation and is currently working through data management and analysis. Summary analysis is underway.  Water quality monitoring continues within individual state research and extension activities, such as Discovery Farms project in both Arkansas and Wisconsin. Also, related, the strip trial research, education, and demonstration program has been ongoing since 2016 in Missouri. The “MU Certified” Strip Trial Program is a grower-focused program designed to help Missouri farmers and crop advisors compare on-farm management decisions and practices in a low-cost, low-risk setting. University staff work with farmers to implement field-scale, side-by-side comparisons of management practices on their farm. All farmers get a personalized summary report of results from their field. Additionally, results are summarized across multiple sites and years, so all Missouri farmers have access to impartial information to guide decisions and evaluate new management practices.  Farmer exchanges: In addition to providing an exchange forum among farmers, the Farmer-to-Farmer Summit described below under Objective 3 also informs researchers and research priorities about realities of utilizing university research results. The 2022 Basin-wide Stewardship Summit provided insights for field researchers exploring conservation practices.  Activities to date meet and surpass the proposed SERA-46 milestones for Objective 2 listed below: <ul> <li>By Spring 2020, SERA-46 will have met with HTF/CC members for hearing needs and issues as well as sharing the proposed goals and activities</li> <li>By Fall 2020, SERA-46 will have identified key areas of needed emphasis based on SERA/HTF engagement and state summaries of research efforts.</li> <li>By Spring 2021, SERA-46 will have produced a summary paper and begun some multistate research/validation efforts.</li> </ul>   Objective 3: Improve the coordination and delivery of educational programming and increase the implementation effectiveness of nutrient management strategies for agricultural and non-agricultural audiences. <ul> <li>Customize educational programming (and information sharing) to the learning styles of the various audience segments - Farmers, Farm Advisors, Agencies, Extension Agents, and the public.</li> <li>Increase the emphasis on social science factors in targeting educational methods to increase conservation adoption and effectiveness.</li> </ul>  Farmer-to-Farmer Summit: One of the prominent goals to improve the delivery of educational material is for farmers to engage in farmer-to-farmer communication. To this end, the current SERA-46 project (with financial support from USEPA) has planned and held a series of field days encouraging that communication which we dubbed our Farmer-to-Farmer exchanges. After a 28-month hiatus from in-person exchanges due to the pandemic, a Basin-wide Land Stewardship Summit, was hosted in Elkhorn, WI June 20-22, 2022. Over 60 individuals registered for the event with approximately 50 in attendance including farmers, farm advisors, agencies representative, non-profit organizations, landowners, and academics. We had a dynamic program of farmer leaders as speakers that demonstrated their on-farm stewardship. Topics addressed: cover crops decision making, planting and termination practices, and general experiences with different equipment, cover crop species, planting, and termination strategies; farmer experiences around initiating and sustaining farmer-led watershed groups; and experiences with field trials and applying research insights on working farms.    Conservation Demonstration Expansion across the MARB: Multiple SERA-46 participants have support demonstration of proper conservation techniques across the basin. These demonstrations provide a powerful tool when advocating for the adoption and implementation of conservation practices. Among recent demonstrations, the University of Illinois has installed a denitrifying bioreactor at a demonstration site in Rock Island County. The drainage area for this project is roughly 90 acres and could remove around 240 pounds of nitrogen per year, 25% of the watershed nitrate load. A cover crop program also helps distribute cover crop seeds to farmers which have been very successful. The University of Kentucky has been producing virtual content (field days, videos) designed to highlight different grazing management conservation practices and where they’re needed on the landscape. Additional content is emerging through the OneGoodIdea platform noted below.  Farmer-Led Watershed Conservation Demonstration & Protection Mini-Grant Program: Building on activities of the past three years, in 2022, four additional (and final) mini-grants were distributed to farmer-led groups in the Mississippi River Basin. Funded proposals this year included: [1] Environmental Initiative & Cannon River Ag Collaborative (MN): The partnership also includes 6 Soil and Water Conservation districts and aims to build a tour of farms employing soil health practices to enhance community understanding of how conservation effects agriculture and water quality. [2] Champaign Soil and Water Conservation District (IL): The proposal adopts many of the same approaches of the successful 2021 application, which aims to host a field day that features conservation and nutrient loss reduction efforts with farmer leaders. [3] Bluegrass Greensource (KY): The proposal focuses work on Hinkston Creek, which is priority watershed to convene a farmer-to-farmer event and watershed leadership training with 5 farmer leaders and engaging FFA Junior Conservation Team. [4] The Wetlands Initiative (IL): The proposal aims to have a field day that features a tile treatment wetland that has already been installed, which will serve as a demonstration for nutrient loss reduction stewardship.   More information about the program can be found on Mississippi State University’s REACH website <a href="https://www.reach.msstate.edu/grant-application.php">here</a>. We also started mapping mini grants to demonstrate the spatial distribution and impact. The project <a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/8792e581f536482cac65276d378202ea">StoryMap</a> can be found here:   One Good Idea Platform & Campaign: One Good Idea was conceived as a multimedia clearinghouse of information that features farmers’ ideas and experiences with practices that are helping them improve their soil, land, and bottom lines. The website hosts videos and podcasts by farmers, for farmers, backed by research. The platform continues to receive content, grow, and engage audience members through the development and dissemination of newsletters. A strategic board for OGI was convened which includes project team members, producers, and other stakeholders. In addition, a content review committee has been formed, which includes producers, Extension personnel and other professionals. A formal content review process provides a scientific review of content received. The website and its content can be accessed at <a href="https://goodideafarm.org/">https://goodideafarm.org/</a>, and has social media on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYnEAj5RnIXkH6WJ8vcorCA">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/goodideafarm/">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/GoodIdeaFarm">Twitter</a>.   Activities to date meet and surpass the proposed SERA-46 milestones for Objective 3 listed below: <ul> <li>By Spring 2020, SERA-46 will have reported to the HTF on farmer-led watershed activities and demonstration efforts throughout the MARB</li> <li>By Fall 2020, the HTF will have identified and expanded information of model programs working with farmers to at least one state.</li> <li>By Spring 2021, SERA-46 will have developed an online platform for communicating farmer-led watershed activities, decision support tools, and information related to conservation effectiveness- aggregating farmer resources</li> </ul>

Publications

Collaborations/Sponsored Projects/Publications as a result of SERA-46 involvement March 2022-July 2023.  Conference presentations: 2023 Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) Annual Conference, Special Session: “Strategies to enhance farmer-led conservation delivery and adoption for nutrient loss reduction.” Including presentations by Amanda Gumbert (UKY), Jenny Seifert (UW), Beth Baker (MSU), Mike Daniels (UArk), Rachel Curry, Laura Chistianson, Reid Christianson (UIUC), Ellen Gilinsky (NGRRE, IL), Brittany Isidore (UW).  Publications Arel, C., Brye, K.R., Fryer, M. and Daniels, M. (2022). Cover Crop Effects on Near-Surface Soil Aggregate Stability in the Southern Mississippi Valley Loess (MLRA 134). Agricultural Sciences, 13, 741-757. https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2022.136048. Feyereisen G.W., Hay C.H., Christianson R.D., Helmers M.J. (2022) Frontier: Eating the Metaphorical Elephant: Meeting Nitrogen Reduction Goals in Upper Mississippi River Basin States. Journal of the Asabe 65:621-631. DOI: 10.13031/ja.14887. Lebeau, S., K. Brye, M. Daniels, and L. Wood.  2023.  Cover Crop Effects on Infiltration, Aggregate Stability, and Water Retention in the Lower Mississippi River Valley.  Agrosyst. Geosci.  Environ. Vol 6(1): 1-14. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20341">https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20341</a>. Wardropper, C., K. Genskow, A. Lavoie, D. Franklin, E. Usher, A. Wilke, J. Arbuckle, D. Jackson- Smith, L. Prokopy, A. Rissman. 2023. Policy process and problem framing for state Nutrient Reduction Strategies in the US Upper Mississippi River Basin. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. Vol 78(1):70-81. doi:10.2489/jswc.2023.00025

Impact Statements

Project impacts during this period have focused around advancing research and farmer engagement related to nutrient management, conservation practices, and nutrient loss reduction. Related initiatives overlapped through efforts such as the North Central Soil Health Team and North Central Regional Water Network, plus others. Broad issues addressed include: Sediment and Nutrient Loss Reduction, Conservation Practice Tracking for the Mississippi River Basin, Decision Support Tools for Nutrient and Sediment Management, Innovative Approaches to Manure Management, Land Use of Riparian Ecosystems in the Northern Great Plains, Nitrogen Management in Tile Drained Landscapes, and Systems Approaches in Water and Nutrient Management Education.