Building Water Resilience in the Corn Belt Is Topic of Webinar

Make the most of our water resources

November 3, 2022, 3:27 pm | Alena Whitaker

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place Nov. 9 at noon CST will feature John McMaine, the William Mibra Griffith and Byrne S. Griffith Chair in Agriculture and Water Resources, South Dakota State University. McMaine is passionate about solving challenges related to water and weather through his work in extension and research in South Dakota. He regularly works with individuals and organizations across the agricultural and environmental spectrum to address challenges and assist in water management practice decision making.

South Dakota researchers.Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.

In the webinar, “Building South Dakota's Roadmap to Water Resilience,” McMaine will draw on studies of water quality, water management and soil health in South Dakota that are also relevant to producers in other Corn Belt states. He will highlight challenges related to climate and landscape changes. McMaine will also present current research from South Dakota regarding soil health and conservation drainage and how to build resilience into agricultural systems.

“As South Dakota continues to see changes to climate and landscape and as the Corn Belt pushes further west and north, the imperatives for improving water management in the field has implications for both the farmer and downstream users from water quality and water quantity standpoints,” said McMaine. “We cannot control the weather, so it is critical that we take effective steps through structural and management practices to ensure we make the most of the water we have to work with.”

Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

Webinar access instructions

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CST Nov. 9:

The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the learning farms website, so that it can be watched at any time.

A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the CEU will be provided at the end of the webinar.

Upcoming webinars in the series

  • Nov. 16: Sarah Noggle, The Ohio State University.
  • Nov. 23: Jacqueline Comito, Iowa Learning Farms.
  • Nov. 30: Lauren Salvato, Upper Mississippi River Basin Association.
  • Dec. 7: Wendong Zhang, Cornell University.

Shareable photo: John McMaine and his team of researchers from South Dakota State University.

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