Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

 8:00am – 4:00pm:       SERA46 members arrive and participate as available in Executive Session and Public Meetings of the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force (held in Fayetteville, AR)

 5:30pm – 7:00pm:       Networking event with state agency, federal agency, Tribal, and NGO partners. To be hosted by Hypoxia Task Force Coordinating Committee

 Additional Evening Schedule: TBD

Thursday, December 7, 2023

 8:00am – 12:00pm:     Participate with HTF and Coordinating Committee in Field Trip focused on conservation practices and nutrient reduction in NW Arkansas. Field trip organized as part of 2-day HTF meeting.

 12:00pm – 1:00pm:     Lunch with Coordinating Committee and SERA46

 1:00pm – 5:00pm:       SERA 46 working session at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences

 Activities to include:

- Gary Thompson and Cindy Morley - Gary and Cindy discussed multistate projects and the importance of institutional colabration 

- organizing for the 2024 SERA46 renewal proposal, Matt and Ken will lead writing twam

- reviewing and updating the SERA46 Shared Priorities document

- organizing for the pending cooperative agreement with USEPA

 5:00pm            Adjourn

Recap of Issues Addressed and SERA-46 Goal:

Approximately 85% of the nutrient loads from the Mississippi/Ohio River Basin to the Gulf of Mexico come from non-point sources (NPS), particularly agriculture, that may impair water quality in local water bodies and contribute to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. States throughout the basin are developing and implementing strategies to reduce loading of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to local surface waters and ultimately to the Gulf of Mexico.

 The goal of SERA-46 is to: “Promote effective implementation of science-based approaches to nutrient management/conservation that reduces nutrient losses to the environment” with specific objectives of  1) Establish and strengthen relationships that can serve the missions of multiple organizations addressing nutrient management and environmental quality; 2) Strengthen the knowledge base for discovery of new tools and practices as well as for the continual validation of recommended practices; 3) Improve the delivery of educational programming and increase the implementation of effective nutrient management strategies.

Agenda Feb 16, 2024 Follow-up meeting recap 

1. Welcome, agenda overview, and Introductions 

2. SERA 46 Proposal for 2024-2029

A lot of discussion about milestones (are they appropriate and needed, what happens if you don’t achieve the goals? Etc…) and impacts

3. SERA 46 reporting for current year (due now) and overall 5-year project (due later)

4. SERA 46 recognition and award nomination

Need to focus on the impacts and complete the award nomination by Feb 28. Matt will have a draft to Ken by Monday. Amanda and Beth will work on getting impact metrics

Mike Daniels confused on whether he provided info for annual report and got the email.

5. SERA 46 Cooperative Agreement with EPA Gulf Hypoxia Program (GHP), and related activities

• Scheduling meeting with HTF Research Needs Committee
• Connecting with sub-basin committees
• Member recruitment activities (follow up from December)
• Other meetings for 2024?

6. Other updates and announcements

Overall Accomplishments

 SERA-46 formed in 2014 to coordinate efforts of land grant universities with the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force (HTF) member agencies and states. A cooperative agreement was signed in 2014 between the HTF member agencies and the Directors of the 12 Mississippi River Basin State Land Grant University Experiment Stations and Extension Services to provide and coordinate scientific and technology transfer expertise to support basin-wide nutrient-loss reduction efforts of the HTF member agencies and states. Established in 1997, the HTF brings together relevant state agencies in the 12 upper and lower Mississippi River Basin states plus five federal agencies and Tribal representation to partner on local, state, and regional efforts to reduce nutrient pollution. Land grant university scientists are uniquely positioned to assist each state within the basin and the HTF develop and implement state level nutrient reduction strategies. SERA-46 contributes to HTF efforts by identifying best practices, informing the HTF’s efforts to track NPS progress, conducting scientific research, delivering education to stakeholders, developing collaboration with new partners, and providing the states a variety of refined science assessment information. The HTF action plan identifies specific actions for stakeholders throughout the Mississippi River Basin, with the development and implementation of state nutrient reduction strategies as its key priority.

SERA-46 membership includes representatives from the Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service at the following institutions, plus additional members from states outside of the Mississippi River Basin:

Arkansas (S) - University of Arkansas

Illinois (NC) - University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Indiana (NC) - Purdue University

Iowa (NC) - Iowa State University

Kentucky (S) - University of Kentucky

Louisiana (S) - Louisiana State University

Minnesota (NC) - University of Minnesota

Mississippi (S) - Mississippi State University

Missouri (NC) - University of Missouri

Ohio (NC) - The Ohio State University

Tennessee (S) - University of Tennessee

Wisconsin (NC) - University of Wisconsin-Madison

  The integrated and collaborative works of SERA-46 have produced multiple significant outputs:

• The collective output of SERA-46 members represents more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, dozens of technical reports, plus numerous conference presentations and joint workshops. Many of these directly support state and local management activities throughout the basin.
• Facilitated stakeholder communication with a series of field days dubbed Farmer-to-Farmer exchanges held in in AR, IL, KY, MS, TN, and WI. Farmer exchanges included farm visits and classroom-based information sharing, with farmers, farm advisors, agencies representatives, non-profit organizations, and academics from across the MS River basin in attendance. Farmer leaders shared their experiences with conservation practices and farmers had opportunities for one-on-one interactions.
• Distributed 12 different mini-grants [https://www.reach.msstate.edu/grant-application.php] to farmer-led groups in the Mississippi River Basin directly reaching over 150 farmers and agricultural advisors/consultants.
• Developed a series of multiple 2-hour virtual farmer exchanges themed “Virtual Shop Talks: Resource Stewardship in Hard Times” during Covid-19 featuring 2-3 farmers or agricultural advisors as speakers and small group breakouts to discuss ideas. Approximately 200 participants representing 18 states participated in the series.
• Developed the “One Good Idea” (https://goodideafarm.org ) concept to feature farmers’ ideas and experiences with practices that improve their soil, land, and profitability. The website launched in 2021 and hosts research-based media by farmers, for farmers; it has 446 subscribers and >6,100 users. [social media on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.] This “One Good Idea” project was awarded the 2024 Conservation Innovation Award from the Soil and Water Conservation Society.
• Developed the “Confluence for Watershed Leaders” (https://watershedleaders.org ) a community of collaborative people working for healthy watersheds in the Great Lakes, Greater Mississippi River, and Red River Basin of the U.S. Midwest and Mid-South focused on peer learning among watershed professionals. This community hosts a social media platform solely focused on connecting members to watershed-focused opportunities. As an element of the Confluence, SERA-46 members have hosted five seasons of Life Hacks Over Lunch, a virtual meet-up series for watershed professionals to build community and exchange ideas.
• The SERA-46 Executive Committee participates in monthly conference calls with the HTF Coordinating Committee and presents on collaborative work during the public portion of the semi-annual HTF meetings. In recognition of the contributions of SERA-46, the EPA has featured the collaboration with land-grant universities in its reports to Congress.

 Short-term outcomes - SERA-46 has increased awareness of strategies to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loading to their local surface waters. For example:

• A participant survey of the farmer exchange events indicated 95% of respondents feel more connected to a community of conservation-minded farmers and professionals; 95% indicated it was important to hear directly from farmers about conservation practice implementation; and 74% identified a new conservation opportunity as a result of the events.
• Feedback from virtual farmer exchanges indicate 89% of respondents learned about money-saving practices relevant to their farms; 78% learned about resources to help implement conservation practices; and 89% gained confidence to effectively implement conservation practices; 100% appreciated hearing directly from other farmers. Internal impacts of these virtual exchanges include expanding the technological capacity of the implementation team for virtual events, building of social capital among the team members, broadening the geographical reach of the project, and facilitating meaningful conversations for peer-to-peer learning. In fact, experience gained through this activity has led to the utilization of similar meet-up platforms for farmers and watershed professionals on additional projects developed by the SERA-46 project team.

Medium-term outcomes - SERA-46 has changed behaviors to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loading to their local surface waters by emphasizing social science factors in educational methods to increase conservation adoption focused on "farmer to farmer" exchanges.

• Participant surveys indicate that 70% of participant farmers would recommend a conservation practice to another farmer; 67% planned to adopt a conservation practice they learned about at the field day; 100% of respondents learned practices that will save money on farms they manage or advise; 82% learned about a resource that can help them implement or recommend a conservation practice; and 100% gained confidence on how to better implement a conservation practice.

 Long-term outcomes - SERA-46 has changed the conditions that influence nitrogen and phosphorus loading to their local surface waters and the Gulf of Mexico by advancing innovation, demonstrating effectiveness, and facilitating adoption of practices.

• As one small example, one mini-grant for a cover crop seed program impacted >6k targeted acres and a 1-year reduction of 38,270 lbs of N and 2168 lbs of P (in 2023).
• Similar research and extension programming on edge-of-field monitoring and practice installation, nutrient loss reduction measurement and tracking, and managing drained croplands have influenced state and federal policy and changed decision making.

Publications:

SERA-46 members have been active with presentations to state-level, regional, and national audiences through conferences and workshops.

Bennett, Grant. Kris Brye, Mike Daniels, Trent Roberts, Kishan Mahmud, Pearl Webb and James Burke.  2023.  Carbon Sequestration and Climate Smart Agriculture.  University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet.  FSA2207-PD-10-2023.  Printed by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services.  Little Rock AR. 72204. 

Berry, L.G., J.M. Burke, A.N. Sharpley, and M.B. Daniels.  2022.  A Comparison of Haney Soil Health Test and Mehlich-3 Soil Analysis Results in an Arkansas Pasture. Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 2022. Nathan Slaton and Mike Daniels Editors. University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Research Series 692. February 2023. Pp. 84-91. 

Burke, J., Mike Daniels, G. Drescher, Pearl Webb,  Lee Riley, K. Mahmud, and Trenton Roberts. Chemical Indicators for Soil Health.  2023.  University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet. FSA2205-PD-07-2023N. Printed by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services.  Little Rock AR. 72204.   

Burke, J.M., K.W. VanDevender, L.G. Berry, M.B. Daniels, and A.N. Sharpley. 2022. Soil Test Potassium Variability in Pastures Amended with Dry Manure on an Arkansas Discovery Dairy Farm. Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 2022. Nathan Slaton and Mike Daniels, Editors. University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Research Series 692. February 2023. Pp. 92-95.  

Burke, J.M., M. B. Daniels, G.L. Drescher, L. Riley, P. Webb, L. Berry, T. Glover, and J. Clark. 2022. Sulfate Loss in Runoff from Arkansas Discovery Farms Research Sites Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 2022. Nathan Slaton and Mike Daniels Editors. University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Research Series 692. February 2023.  Pp. 24-26.  

Burke, J.M., M. B. Daniels, G.L. Drescher, L. Riley, P. Webb, L. Berry, T. Glover, and J. Clark.  Monitoring Edge-of-Field Sulfate Runoff Losses from Eight Arkansas Discovery Farms. Submitted to 2023 Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies on December 4, 2023. 

Contasti, A. L., Firth, A. G., Baker, B. H., Brooks, J. P., Locke, M. A., & Morin, D. J. (2023). Balancing Tradeoffs in Climate-Smart Agriculture: Will Selling Carbon Credits Offset Potential Losses in the Net Yield Income of Small-Scale Soybean (Glycine max L.) Producers in the Mid-Southern United States?. Decision Analysis, 20 (4), 243-344. 

Daniels, M.B., M. Fryer, N.A. Slaton, A.N. Sharpley, P. Webb, L. Riley, Sam Fernandez, J. Burke, L.G. Berry, T. Roberts and B. Robertson.  2023.  Potassium Losses in Runoff from Cotton Production Fields.  Agron. J. Volume115, Issue4.  July/August 2023.  Pages 1666-1677. 

Drescher, G.L. A.A. Adviento-Borbe; T.G. Teague; M. Daniels; M.L. Reba, A.D. Smartt.  Potassium Loss by Runoff in Different Cotton Production Systems in Arkansas.  Submitted to 2023 Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies on December 4, 2023.  

Espinosa, L., Chris Henry and Mike Daniels.  2022.  Understanding the Numbers in Your Irrigation Water Report. University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet. FSA2198-PD-2-2022R.   Printed by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services.  Little Rock AR. 72204.  Online at: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/FSA2198.pdf. 

Fields, Jon Jr., Todd Halihan, Javier Vilcáez, Andrew N. Sharpley, and Mike Daniels. 2022. Hydrogeophysical Characterization Of Swine Effluent Amended Soils In Mantled Karst.  Journal of the ASABE. Vol. 65(6): 2022 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers ISSN 2769-3295. https://doi.org/10.13031/ja.15259 

Firth, A. G., Brooks, J. P., Locke, M. A., Morin, D. J., Brown Johnson, A. E., Baker, B. (2023). Soil bacterial community dynamics in plots managed with cover crops and no-till farming in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, USA. Journal of Applied Microbiology, lxac051. 

 Fryer, M, Amanda McWhirt, Mike Daniels, Bill Robertson, Trenton Roberts, Kishan Mahmud, Kris Brye  Mary Savin.  Understanding Soil Health.  2022.   University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet.  FSA2202-PD-4-2022.  Printed by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services.  Little Rock AR. 72204.  Online at: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/FSA2202.pdf. 

Hoegenauer, K., T. Roberts, C. Ortel, J. Hardke, M. Richardson, M. Daniels. 2023.  Using Post-Season Tissue Nitrogen Concentrations to Predict Adequacy of In-season   Nitrogen. Agrosyst Geosci Environ. 2022;5:e20267. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/agg2 https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20267.

Huffines, B., K. Teague, J. Pennington, Mike Daniels, J. Maginot, Building Rain Barrels to Harvest Rainwater. 2022 (Revised).  University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet.  FSA9534R-PD-11-2022.  Printed by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services.  Little Rock AR. 72204.   Online at: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/PDF/fsa-9534.pdf. 

J.M. Burke, M.B. Daniels, P. Webb, A.N. Sharpley, T. Glover, L. Berry, and K. Vandevender. 2023.  An Evaluation of Manure Management Strategies, Phosphorus Surface Runoff Potential and Water Usage at an Arkansas Discovery Dairy Farm.  Journal of Environmental Protection.  Vol.14 No.9 2023. 

Lebeau, Shelby, Kristofor R. Brye, Mike B. Daniels, and Lisa S. Wood. 2022. Survey of Lower Mississippi River Valley Agricultural Sites: Cover Crop Effects on Near-surface Soil Nutrients. Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 2022. Nathan Slaton and Mike Daniels Editors. University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Research Series 692. February 2023. Pp. 107-114. 

Mahmud, K., M. Savin, Mike Daniels, K. Brye, K.VanDevender, and Trenton Roberts.  2023. Soil Biology affects Soil Health.   University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet.  FSA2206-PD-07-2023N.  Printed by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services.  Little Rock AR. 72204. 

Mahmud, K., M.C. Savin, M. Daniels, K. VanDevender, B. Buchanan, T. Holder, L.G Berry, L. Riley, P. Webb and J. Burke. 2022. Soil Active Carbon as a Soil Health Indicator in Arkansas Discovery Farms. Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 2022. Nathan Slaton and Mike Daniels Editors. University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Research Series 692. February 2023. Pp. 122-128. 

McCrary, A., Brooks, J. P. A., Smith, R. K., Burger, L. M., Lucore, A., Ramirez Avila, J., Schauwecker, T. J., Czarnecki, J. P., Burger, L. W., Baker, B. H. Short-term contribution of conservation practice implementation to water quality impairments in small streams. Water, 16 (2), 261. 

Menegaz, S.T., F.G. Fernández, R.T. Venterea, M.J. Helmers, and P.H. Pagliari. 2024. Nitrate, nitrous oxide, and ammonia loss mitigation with optimum rate of enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizer and application timing in corn. Chapter 2. In: R. Hatano and E.M. Baggs, editors, Nitrogen cycling and soil health. Springer Nature (Progress in Soil Science Series), NY. 

Mitchell M.E., Newcomer-Johnson T., Christensen J., Crumpton W., Dyson B., Canfield T.J., Helmers M., Forshay K.J. (2023) A review of ecosystem services from edge-of-field practices in tile-drained agricultural systems in the United States Corn Belt Region. Journal of Environmental Management 348. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119220.

Robertson, B., M.B. Daniels, A. Free, J. McAlee, and B. Watkins. 2022. Arkansas Cotton Discovery Farm Economic And Sustainability Summary: 2015 – 2020. Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 2022. Nathan Slaton and Mike Daniels Editor. University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Research Series 692. February 2023. Pp. 129-131. 

Sharpley Andrew, James Burke, Kristofor Brye, Larry Berry, Phillip Hays, Mike Daniels, Karl VanDevender, Tim Glover, and Brian Haggard. 2022. Water quality adjacent to swine slurry holding ponds associated with a concentrated animal feeding operation. Agrosyst Geosci Environ. 2022;5:e20267. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/agg2 https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20267. 

Webb, P., M. Daniels, J. Burke, and L. Riley. 2022. Peak Discharge versus Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus in Cover Crop and No Cover Crop Systems. 2022. Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 2022. Nathan Slaton and Mike Daniels Editors. University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Research Series 692. February 2023.  Pp 132-136. 

Extension Publications:

Hill, M., Baker, B., Czarnecki, J. (2023). Adding RIGOR to On-Farm Trials: Simple steps to data-driven decision making (P3930 ed.). MSU Extension Service.  Baker, B., Gnoose, M., Burger, L. M. (2023). Mississippi Water Stewards: Youth Biomonitoring Manual (P3886 ed.). Mississippi State University Extension Service. 

Fernandez, F. et al: The Nutrient Management Team at the university of Minnesota regularly sends out blogs, podcasts, videos and social media feeds on nutrient management and environmental issues related to nutrients. https://extension.umn.edu/crop-production#nutrient-management

Presentations:

Aanerud, Z., and F.G. Fernández. 2023. Effects of variable nitrogen fertilizer rates on corn grain yield, profitability, and nitrogen losses in southwestern Minnesota. In: Proc. of the 53th Annual North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Conf. Online. 15-16 November 2023.  

Aanerud, Z., F.G. Fernández, P. Pagliari, and R. Venterea. 2023. Balancing crop yield and environmental sustainability: Nitrogen management in southwestern Minnesota corn fields. In: Annual Meetings Abstracts. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI. 

Aanerud, Z., F.G. Fernández, P. Pagliari, R. Venterea, and J. Nieber. 2023. Evaluating nitrogen loss pathways and corn production in southwestern Minnesota. Minnesota Water Resources Conf. St. Paul, MN. 17-18 October 2023. 

Baker, B. Seifert, J. Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference. August 2023. Spoke about The Confluence for Watershed Leaders and human capital needs for watershed management.  

Baker, B., (June 9, 2023). "Cover crop effects on water quality in the midsouth." Oral Presentation. Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Society Meeting, Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Society, Florence, AL.Scope: Regional. Refereed: No. Invited or accepted: Invited 

Baker, B., (March 21, 2023). "Developing climate-smart grain markets in the midsouth." Webinar. NOAA Nutrient Working Group, NOAA Nutrient Working Group, Online.Scope: National. Refereed: No. Invited or accepted: Invited

Baker, B., Seifert, J. Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference. August 2023. Spoke about One Good Idea.

Baker, B., Siefert, J., Gumbert, A., (July 13, 2023). "Outcomes of SERA-46 Farmer-to-Farmer Learning Project." Webinar. Mississippi River Basin/Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force, US EPA, Webinar.Scope: National. Refereed: No. Invited or accepted: Invited 

Daniels, M.B.   Expanding The Arkansas Discovery Farm Program.  Presented at the   4-State Discovery Farm Webinar.  March 28, 2023.  (170 Attendees) 

Daniels, M.B.   The Arkansas Discovery Farm Program: An On-Farm Approach to Conservation Education.  Presented at the NRCS Central Agronomist Conference.  Little Rock AR.  April 4, 2023.  (30 Attendees).  

Daniels, M.B.  2023.  Farmer-Led Watershed Groups: Key Resources and Partnerships for Success.  Presented at the 2023 UCOWR/NIWR Annual Water Resources Conference.  Fort Collins, CO.  June 13, 2023.  (25 Attendees) 

Daniels, M.B.  2023.  New initiatives for the Arkansas Discovery Farm Program.  Presented at the Emerging On-Farm Research Programs Webinar presented for the North Central Water Network on June 14, 2023. 

Daniels, M.B.  2023.  The Arkansas Discovery Farms.  Presented to the National Pork Board and the AWRC – October 5 

Daniels, M.B.  The Arkansas Discovery Farm Program.  Presented twice at the National Private Lands Partnership Conference Field Tour.  Discovery Farm - Elkins Arkansas.  10/5.  Invited 185 attendees

Daniels, M.B.  The Arkansas Discovery Farm Program. Presented at the Farm Bureau Southern Region Commodity Conference.  Rogers AR.  June 13. (Invited) 

Daniels, M.B.  Water Quality and Cover Crops: Results from the Arkansas Discovery Farm Program.  Presented virtually at the Multi-State Discovery Farm Webinar on February 16, 2022.  (Invited). 

Daniels, M.B. on behalf of SER-46. 2023.  Activities of SERA-46: Report to Hypoxia Task Force.  Presented at Hypoxia Task Force Fall 2023 Meeting.  Graduate Hotel, Fayetteville Ar.  Dec. 6 

Fabrizzi, K.P., F.G. Fernández, and J.A. Vetsch. 2023. Enhancing corn production in Minnesota with controlled-release N fertilizer. In: Annual Meetings Abstracts. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.

Firth, A. (Author & Presenter), Baker, B. (Author), (April 26, 2023). "PANEL: Community Science in Southeast Waters - Exploring Strengths and Challenges to Building Better Citizen Science Programming." Oral Presentation. National Water Monitoring Conference, USEPA, Virginia, Beach.Scope: National. Refereed: Yes. Invited or accepted: Accepted 

Firth, A. (Author & Presenter), Baker, B. (Author), Dominguez, M., Ruiz-Cordova, S., Braman, A., (June 13, 2023). "Expanding capacity and potential: mini-grant programs to jumpstart local efforts." Oral Presentation. Universities Council on Water Resources, US-EPA, Fort Collins, Colorado. Scope: National. Refereed: Yes. Invited or accepted: Accepted 

Firth, A. (Author & Presenter), Gumbert, A. (Author & Presenter), Baker, B., (June 13, 2023). "Organizer of Special Session: Strategies to enhance farmer-led conservation delivery and adoption for nutrient loss reduction." Other. Universities Council on Water Resources, UCOWR, Colorado Springs, CO.Scope: National. Refereed: Yes. Invited or accepted: Accepted 

Fernández, F.G, Z. Aanerud. 2023. MN Corn-supported N research in the spotlight. In: Minnesota Corn Growers Association Leader Update. Posted on 11 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxlT__VO5lE    

Fernández, F.G., J. Kastenbauer, and E. Garay Lagos. 2023. When nitrogen is managed right in irrigated sands, do cover crops help corn yield and the environment? Rosholt Farm Agronomy Day, Westport, MN. 17 August 2023

Garay Lagos E., F.G. Fernández, R. Venterea, J. Grossman, and V. Sharma. 2023. Cover crops and living mulches effects on irrigated corn-soybean production systems: an integral management strategy for sandy soils. Minnesota Water Resources Conf. St. Paul, MN. 17-18 October 2023. 

Garay Lagos, E., F.G. Fernández, J. Grossman, V. Sharma, and R. Venterea. 2023. Cover crops and living mulches effects on irrigated corn-soybean production systems: An integral management strategy for sandy soils. In: Annual Meetings Abstracts. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.  

Helmers, Matt et al. The Iowa Learning Farms program facilitated weekly webinars on a range of nutrient reduction topics viewed by scientists, educators, conservation professionals, farmers, agency personnel, and extension professionals in the region. For webinars from July 2023 through December 2023 there were over 4000 combined live or archived views.

Muller, I. (Author), Czarnecki, J. (Author & Presenter), Baker, B., Hu, J., (August 8, 2023). "Soil chemistry Is not altered by adopting cover crops and reducing tillage in the early transitional period." Oral Presentation. 78th Soil and Water Conservation Society International Annual Conference, Soil and Water Conservation Society, Des Moines, IA.Scope: International. Refereed: No. Invited or accepted: Accepted 

Sánchez, C.F., S.L. Naeve, F.G. Fernández, and J. Coulter. 2023. Analyzing crop management interactions for early-planted soybean yield and soil health. In: Annual Meetings Abstracts. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI. 

Seifert, J. C. DeLong, C. Ficenec, and A. Gumbert. Investing in People to Improve Watersheds. 2023 Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference, Des Moines, IA.

Seifert, J. National Nonpoint Source Training Workshop. November 2023. Spoke about The Confluence for Watershed Leaders and human capital needs for watershed management.