Daugherty Water for Food Podcast
Welcome to the Daugherty Water for Food Podcast! Since 2010, the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska has worked toward one goal: a food and water secure world — one in which global food security is ensured without compromising the use of water to meet other essential human and environmental needs. It’s a daunting vision, but one that is vitally important. This podcast amplifies the voices of those making waves in this space.
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57 - Lab Director Dan Snow reflects on nearly four decades of water science
10/23/2026
57 - Lab Director Dan Snow reflects on nearly four decades of water science
After nearly four decades of pioneering work in water science, , part of DWFI, is preparing to step down and transition into retirement. From his early days cleaning out his family's farm well to leading advanced water quality research through mass spectrometry, Dan's career has significantly advanced nitrate isotope fingerprinting, regional groundwater tracking and global scientific collaboration. Join Dan and host Frances Hayes as they reflect on his enduring legacy of environmental stewardship and international research partnerships.
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56 - Water, Climate and Health
09/21/2026
56 - Water, Climate and Health
In this episode of the Water for Food Podcast, talks with about his recent trips to Mongolia for COP17 and Sweden for World Water Week. They explore how drought, water resilience and human health are connected, and why communities need to move from reacting to drought to planning and preparing for its impacts. Jesse also shares insights on global collaboration, capacity building and knowledge sharing, while reflecting on how lessons from around the world can strengthen drought resilience here in Nebraska. Dr. Bell is director of the Water, Climate and Health Program at UNMC and the director of Water, Climate and Health at the Taylor Dahl is Communications and Community Outreach Specialist at the Water, Climate & Health Program. Learn more about the Water, Climate and Health program at
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55 - Food security and national security: Protecting agriculture from farm to table
08/21/2026
55 - Food security and national security: Protecting agriculture from farm to table
Food and agriculture are more connected to national security than most people realize. In this episode, host Frances Hayes sits down with , Director for Food, Agriculture and Environment Security at the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska. They discuss how we can protect the nation's crops, livestock and water systems from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. Meghan shares lessons from her background at high-security biodefense facilities; breaks down real-world examples like New World screwworm and African swine fever; and explains why redundancy and resilience are key to protecting our food supply. The conversation also covers cybersecurity risks; water scarcity; Nebraska's growing bioeconomy; and how producers and policymakers can strengthen the systems we all rely on.
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54 - Decoding water quality at the Water Sciences Lab
07/26/2026
54 - Decoding water quality at the Water Sciences Lab
In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the Water Sciences Laboratory at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Host Frances Hayes sits down with Research Lab Manager to explore the vital work of monitoring our water resources. From the advanced technology of mass spectrometry and isotopic analysis to the real-world impact of agricultural management, we discuss how lab data informs critical water quality decisions. Jennah also breaks down the complexities of emerging contaminants like PFAS—often called "forever chemicals"—and shares insights from her first year leading the lab. Join us as we examine how Nebraska’s water quality challenges offer lessons for agricultural regions worldwide and learn why understanding the journey of our water is more important than ever. Learn more about the Water Sciences Lab: Learn more about the Know Your Well program mentioned in this episode:
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53 - Validating the future of carbon markets
06/29/2026
53 - Validating the future of carbon markets
Five years ago, DWFI was tapped by the U.S. Department of Energy to tackle a critical challenge: scientifically validating carbon sequestration in Midwest corn and soybean production. With this $3 million project now in its final 120-day closeout phase, DWFI Director of Research Christopher Neale discusses this initiative at the intersection of energy, agriculture and policy. He shares insights into how the team translated rigorous field-level measurements into tools that bring credibility to carbon credit markets. We discuss what carbon credits are, the importance of data-driven policy and how these markets can be a tool for producers.
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52 - Executive Director Joe Sanders on global development to DWFI
04/28/2026
52 - Executive Director Joe Sanders on global development to DWFI
Joe Sanders, the new executive director of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska, brings more than 27 years of experience in international agricultural development to his role. In this episode, hosted by Arianna Elnes, he reflects on his career path—from serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia to leading USAID-funded projects across Africa, Asia and Latin America—and shares how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership, problem-solving and working across diverse agricultural systems. Sanders also offers early insights from his first months in Nebraska, highlighting the state’s strengths in agriculture, water management and collaboration. He discusses the importance of building on DWFI’s strong foundation, deepening partnerships and identifying practical, scalable solutions. His perspective underscores the value of combining global experience with local expertise to strengthen water and food systems in Nebraska and beyond.
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51 - Locally Led Strategies for Protecting Groundwater Resources
03/10/2026
51 - Locally Led Strategies for Protecting Groundwater Resources
When it comes to groundwater management, California was the wild west not long ago, with unrestricted pumping depleting many aquifers. But that changed in 2014 with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which created about 350 Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) responsible for management of more than 140 of the state’s basins. Using a framework of local control, GSAs work to sustain groundwater resources for growers, industries, residents and ecosystems. In this episode, guest host , Senior Program Manager at DWFI, sits down with , groundwater regulatory manager with the in Merced County, California. A professional geologist, Matt works on regulatory implementation, groundwater accounting, data management and other requirements of the state’s groundwater law for the Merced Irrigation-Urban GSA. Joining them is also , technical expert in environmental infrastructure for , a national design and engineering firm that got its start in Nebraska. Jim is a hydrogeologist who consults for Merced and other GSAs in California and other states. He formerly served as deputy director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, where he developed expertise in groundwater modeling, interstate water compacts and water policy. Matt and Jim discuss the challenges in sustaining groundwater and how local management in California and Nebraska is helping to address them. Both are well-versed in technology that has revolutionized our ability to measure water and leverage data in ways unimaginable when California’s water law was put on the books 12 years ago. Plus, their appearance on the podcast is timely, coinciding with National Groundwater Awareness Week.
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50 - Nebraska Master Irrigator
02/18/2026
50 - Nebraska Master Irrigator
In this episode, host dives into the , a new approach to advanced water stewardship. Joining Frances is , DWFI Water and Cropping Systems Extension Educator and a co-collaborator on the new initiative. Through the Nebraska Master Irrigator Program, organizers invite participants to dig deeper and “talk shop" about the critical issues facing agricultural producers in Nebraska and throughout the U.S. The podcast discussion focuses on how this program helps farmers grow more with less, maximize existing farm investments, improve margins, and ultimately strengthen the long-term future of Nebraska's soil and water resources.
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49 - Irrigation as a Service: A New Paradigm
01/11/2026
49 - Irrigation as a Service: A New Paradigm
Episode 49 - Irrigation as a Service: A New Paradigm In our first episode of 2026, host discusses a unique approach to supporting access to irrigation for smallholder farmers with , Senior Program Manager at the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute. Farmers of all sizes in all parts of the world need access to water, inputs and financing to grow food. Irrigation as a Service (IaaS) is an emerging business model to expand irrigation access, especially to smallholder farmers, and ultimately grow more food. Irrigation as a Service (IaaS) has a broad definition but generally refers to the concept of third-party providers of irrigation in which the farmers do not own or maintain the equipment. The companies that arise under this business model can look very different and employ a variety of methods. However, they all unlock vital irrigation access to millions of smallholder farmers globally without the burden of high upfront costs. Erin and her team have been working closely with and supporting entrepreneurs across the globe who are pioneering and providing this essential irrigation as a service, including those featured in the . In this episode, she gives an insider's look at the challenges and potential of this growing movement.
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48 - A decade of leading the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
12/11/2025
48 - A decade of leading the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
In this special episode, host sits down with, Executive Director of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, as he concludes nearly a . This deep-dive conversation covers Peter's distinguished career, from his early life on a farm in Scotland and pivotal international work in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, to what drew him to lead the Institute in Nebraska. They discuss DWFI's greatest strategic achievements, the lasting impact of its work both globally and within Nebraska's agricultural community, and the philosophy behind investing in student research. Finally, they tackle the most urgent challenges facing water and food security in the next decade and the legacy Peter hopes to leave behind. Join us for a look back at institutional growth and a look ahead at the future of global innovation for a water and food secure world.
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47 - Crafting Compelling Science Communication
11/20/2025
47 - Crafting Compelling Science Communication
In this episode, host sits down with , DWFI and Nebraska Water Center’s water and cropping systems extension educator, to discuss why the most revolutionary science can only drive change if it's communicated effectively. Crystal and her colleague, Ann Briggs, at the Nebraska Water Center, created the "Beyond the Data" workshop, which aims to transform researchers and conservation professionals from data presenters into compelling storytellers. We explore the critical skills scientists need today, including the importance of audience empathy and tackling the barriers created by academic jargon. Crystal offers essential insights on communicating complex trade-offs in water management, building trust with the agricultural community and framing research on challenging topics. If you’re a researcher, practitioner or stakeholder in water and food security, this episode offers insights for ensuring your science moves beyond the lab and into real-world policy and action.
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46 – Know Your Well: engaging Nebraska youth in groundwater science
10/27/2025
46 – Know Your Well: engaging Nebraska youth in groundwater science
In this episode, we explore a unique initiative that puts water quality testing directly into the hands of high school students across Nebraska. Sara Brock-Contreras, a PhD student advised by Dr. Dan Snow, joins us to discuss her work on the Know Your Well program—an innovative educational and participatory science effort that equips students with the tools, training, and confidence to test domestic wells in their communities. Through hands-on learning, students gain a deeper understanding of water quality, local geology, and science communication while generating real data about local water quality. Sara shares how this interdisciplinary program is inspiring and engaging the next generation of water leaders. Learn more about the UNL Nebraska Water Center’s Know Your Well program at
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45 - Unexpected Connections: From Chance Encounters to Global Impact
08/28/2025
45 - Unexpected Connections: From Chance Encounters to Global Impact
This episode of the Water for Food Podcast explores the valuable collaborations that can arise from in-person interactions, even in a digital age. Host , DWFI director of communications and public relations, shares a story that perfectly illustrates the lasting impact of those face-to-face moments, which can lead to unexpected and valuable partnerships. , program manager with Catholic Relief Services and Treaven Scheideler, a University of Nebraska student, discuss their cross-cultural collaboration, sparked by a chance meeting at a during the. Adam's team in El Salvador needed hands-on training with mechanized equipment and Treaven, drawing on his own farming experience in Nebraska, provided assistance while taking advantage of a formative learning experience. View photos from Treaven's visit to El Salvador »
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44 - The Vadose Zone - A critical indicator for Nebraska groundwater quality
07/30/2025
44 - The Vadose Zone - A critical indicator for Nebraska groundwater quality
Episode 44 - The Vadose Zone - A critical indicator for Nebraska groundwater quality The vadose zone is the area between crop roots and the water table, and is a critically important region for storage, transport and transformation of chemicals that can impact groundwater quality. In this episode of the Water for Food Podcast, host Frances Hayes talks with , a researcher with the Nebraska Water Center (NWC, a part of DWFI) who studies and monitors the impacts of irrigation and fertilizer on groundwater. Hayes is also joined by , assistant general manager for Nebraska’s (NRD). The Upper Big Blue NRD and other NRDs across the state have partnered with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Nebraska Water Center in researching nitrate concentration in their districts. While nitrate levels in some areas have decreased in the Upper Big Blue NRD, there has been an overall increase of 54% in the district. In Nebraska, as in many parts of the world, one of the key chemicals monitored in the vadose zone is nitrate. Nitrogen is a critical plant nutrient, but once it sinks below the roots and enters the vadose zone, it becomes a liability: both an economic loss for the farmer and a potential public health risk for some rural communities where wells have not been recently tested. Excess nitrate in drinking water can cause adverse health effects, particularly in infants and vulnerable populations, as too much nitrate in the body makes it harder for red blood cells to carry oxygen. Contaminants, like nitrates, present in the vadose zone can eventually appear in the underlying aquifers. NWC takes soil cores all the way down to the groundwater table, sometimes over 100 feet, and tests them for nitrate and other contaminants. These cores are crucial for understanding how water and chemicals move through the soil and potentially reach groundwater. They can also be useful in predicting water quality issues. The Nebraska Water Center Water Sciences Lab has collected vadose cores for decades. To increase the usability of all this data, they launched the Nebraska Vadose Zone Program online portal in 2015 with funding from the Nebraska Environmental Trust, Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (now the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment), and several Natural Resources Districts (NRDs).
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43 - Irrigation and Global Health with Claudia Ringler
06/27/2025
43 - Irrigation and Global Health with Claudia Ringler
In the 43rd episode of the Water for Food Podcast, host Frances Hayes speaks with of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) about the crucial link between irrigation and global health, expanding on Ringler's recent as part of the and previous episodes in this podcast. Together they explore how irrigation can improve health outcomes while also addressing potential unintended negative impacts and how to avoid them when designing irrigation solutions. The conversation highlights successful irrigation projects, strategies for ensuring access to irrigation for beneficial outcomes like decreased malnutrition and improved hygiene, and necessary policy changes and international collaborations to maximize positive health impacts globally.
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42 - 15th Anniversary of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
03/31/2025
42 - 15th Anniversary of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
This special episode of the Water for Food Podcast commemorates the 15th anniversary of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute by sharing the story of its origin. Read the full historical account . The 15th anniversary year will be highlighted by a celebration reception at the upcoming 2025 Water for Food Global Conference, held in Lincoln, Nebraska, April 28-May 2. Learn more at waterforfood.nebraska.edu.
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41 - Nebraska’s new nitrogen recommendations on irrigated corn
02/28/2025
41 - Nebraska’s new nitrogen recommendations on irrigated corn
After years of dedicated work from many people and sectors, UNL has released new recommendations for nitrogen fertilization of irrigated corn. In this episode, Nebraska Water Extension Educator, Crystal Powers, talks to UNL professor of agronomy, Richard Ferguson, who has been involved in the project from the start.
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40 - Irrigation’s role in agricultural productivity
01/08/2025
40 - Irrigation’s role in agricultural productivity
In the 40th episode of the Water for Food Podcast, DWFI Director of Communications and Public Relations Frances Hayes sits down with Darren Siekman at the headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Darren is the Vice President of Policy and Industry Strategy at Valley Agriculture, a Valmont Company. The two discuss Valmont's history and global presence and the importance of center pivot irrigation in agricultural productivity, as well as current challenges and future innovations in achieving global water and food security.
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39 - Navigating Climate Change in Nebraska
11/27/2024
39 - Navigating Climate Change in Nebraska
Navigating climate change: impacts on water stress and agricultural production in Nebraska Nebraska, located in the U.S. “Corn Belt,” is well known for its agricultural and livestock production, generating around $31.1 billion in agricultural cash receipts in 2023. But how will climate change impact long-term agricultural production, and how can we adapt to changes to ensure water security and food supply for future generations? In this episode, DWFI Communications Specialist Arianna Elnes talks to DWFI Research Assistant Professor Ivo Gonçalves, whose recent study explores the future of corn production in Nebraska. DWFI Senior Program Manager Renata Rimšaitė also joins to offer examples of sustainable water management strategies. Key takeaways from Ivo’s study, Climate change effects crop life cycle, growth and development To adapt, new varieties will need to be developed (but they will likely require more water) Efficient irrigation is essential to ensure consistent, high crop yields as temperatures and weather patterns change. There is a need for innovation in water management for sustained food and water security Guests: Ivo Zuition Gonçalves, Ph.D, Research Assistant Professor, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute Renata Rimšaitė, Ph.D, Senior Program Manager, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
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38 - Irrigation expansion’s varying impacts on nutrition
10/07/2024
38 - Irrigation expansion’s varying impacts on nutrition
Episode 38 - Irrigation expansion’s varying impacts on nutrition Irrigation expansion can provide the water necessary to increase food production for our growing world. It can also be a means for moving farmers from simply producing enough food for their families to generating more income through domestic markets or export of additional production. However, increasing use of irrigation can have varying impacts on the nutrition of the local communities and it’s important to consider these costs and benefits when striving to reduce poverty, end hunger and protect our water resources. In this episode of the Water for Food Podcast, DWFI Director of Communications and Public Relations Frances Hayes talks with experts in irrigation and nutrition as they dive into the interconnectedness of irrigation, water availability and nutrition. Guests include Dr. and Assistant Professor Dr. , both in the Department of Geography & Spatial Sciences at the University of Delaware. View the research mentioned in the episode .
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37 - Opportunities of Irrigation and Mechanization
07/23/2024
37 - Opportunities of Irrigation and Mechanization
ILIMS Deputy Director Jude Cobbing - Opportunities of Irrigation and Mechanization In November 2023, the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute announced a new USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Irrigation and Mechanization Systems (ILIMS). ILIMS enhances global food security by generating research-based solutions to support the growth of vibrant irrigation and mechanization markets; develops strong institutions and local capacity for their sustainability; and fosters opportunities for equitable access for smallholder farmers. In this episode, DWFI Communications Specialist Arianna Elnes speaks with the new ILIMS Deputy Director Jude Cobbing about his background and interest in ILIMS, the opportunities he sees with irrigation and mechanization, and upcoming projects for ILIMS. For more information, and to respond to RFA’s, visit:
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36 - Impacts of Drought on Human Health
06/28/2024
36 - Impacts of Drought on Human Health
Drought is a prolonged dry period that can occur anywhere in the world and results in a water shortage. Unlike some other disasters, drought has a slow onset and a prolonged impact on health, agriculture, economies, energy and the environment. An estimated 55 million people globally are affected by droughts every year and as many as 700 million people are at-risk of being displaced as a result of drought by 2030. As of June 4, 2024, more than 10 percent of the U.S. is experiencing a drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. In fact, drought is one of the costliest and deadliest climate-related disasters in the United States In this episode of the Water for Food Podcast, DWFI Director of Communications and Public Relations Frances Hayes chats with experts in drought and health who shed light on this complex topic, including the areas of respiratory concerns, stress among farmers, engagement with the public health community through the and a global public health perspective. Guests include Dr. Yeongjin Gwon, Rachel Lookadoo, JD and Dr. Jesse Bell of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and affiliated with DWFI, as well as Dr. Jesse Berman of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. If you or a loved one is experiencing or affected by a mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis, please call or text “988” (or chat online on the website) for free, confidential, and immediate help.
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35 - Nebraska’s Agtech Innovation Ecosystem
04/29/2024
35 - Nebraska’s Agtech Innovation Ecosystem
Farmers are the original agtech innovators. As the population grows, and water resources become scarcer, there is a need for continued innovation in agricultural technologies, and a ready network to foster and accelerate them. The 2024 Nebraska Agtech Innovation Ecosystem Map, jointly published by and , outlines the ecosystem for entrepreneurs and all actors to connect with resources in the agtech community. In this podcast episode, DWFI Communications Specialist Arianna Elnes talks to program manager for The Combine, Josh DeMers and research program manager Water for Food, Ankit Chandra about Nebraska’s distinct and evolving agtech innovation ecosystem. View and download the map at Upcoming Agtech Connect:
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34 - Impacts of climate change in the US
03/25/2024
34 - Impacts of climate change in the US
The Fifth National Climate Assessment is federally mandated by Congress and released every four years to serve as the foremost review of research on the current and future impacts of climate change in the United States. In this episode of the Water for Food Podcast, DWFI Director of Communications and Public Relations Frances Hayes discusses key findings of the report with three of its co-authors. DWFI Faculty Fellows Andrea Basche and Tonya Haigh co-authored the Northern Great Plains chapter, which includes Nebraska. DWFI Director of Water, Climate and Health Jesse Bell, who leads the Water, Climate and Health Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, co-authored the chapter on human health. The authors share their take on regional differences related to climate change, who is most affected by its impacts and what bright spots exist. View the full assessment . Find webinars on each topic hosted by the U.S. Global Change Research Program .
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33 - Aakanksha Melkani, DWFI
02/26/2024
33 - Aakanksha Melkani, DWFI
a postdoctoral research associate at the researches the economic implications of drought in the United States, specifically on agricultural sectors. In this edition of the Water for Food Podcast, we are sharing an episode of , a podcast produced by the Middle Republican Natural Resources District in Nebraska. Host of the show, Heather Dizmang, discusses Aakansha’s findings so far, as well as her time in Africa studying maize production.
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32 - The Melting Cryosphere and Food & Water Security
01/22/2024
32 - The Melting Cryosphere and Food & Water Security
The Melting Cryosphere and Food & Water Security, with Randall Ritzema, Tika Gurung, and Nick Brozović A 2023 report called (HI-WISE), published by the , was an urgent call for how disappearing snow and ice in the Hindu Kush Himalayas will impact water resources for nearly two billion people. But the cryosphere exists elsewhere, too, as part of the globe’s hydrological system. Populations and ecosystems of The Andes, California and Nebraska, for example, all rely on a healthy cryosphere for water. With a changing climate, what are the implications to food and water security? How do we adapt? In this episode, DWFI Communications Specialist Arianna Elnes discusses the changing cryosphere with DWFI Research Program Scientist , who contributed to Chapter Three of the HI-WISE report; University of Nebraska-Lincoln Graduate Student of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences , who studies glaciers in the Himalayas; and DWFI Director of Policy . Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute is co-hosting a webinar on the Water-Food Nexus in Mountain Systems on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 at 3-4 P.M. UTC (9-10 A.M. CT). The link to register, and the recording after, is available at . For more on Water for Food’s work visit
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31 - Agriculture in Space with Yufeng Ge, Santosh Pitla and David Jones
12/20/2023
31 - Agriculture in Space with Yufeng Ge, Santosh Pitla and David Jones
Yufeng Ge, Santosh Pitla and David Jones have already conducted research in the areas of ag-relevant sensors for more efficient application of fertilizer and water, and the development of an autonomous planter capable of seeding a 5-acre field all on its own. But now they’ve set their sights quite a bit higher — growing food in space. The three biological systems engineering faculty at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, along with others on their research team, were from Nebraska’s Office of Research and Economic Development to find ways to sustainably grow food in space. In this episode, Frances Hayes, DWFI director of communications and public relations, sits down with Yufeng, Santosh and David as they explore their short-term goal of developing a center dedicated to studying space agriculture and their long-term goals of actually growing enough food on space to sustain people while translating the lessons learned to agriculture here on Earth.
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30 - Marjan Kalmakhanova and Dan Snow
11/30/2023
30 - Marjan Kalmakhanova and Dan Snow
Since 2013, UNL Water Sciences Lab Director Dan Snow and other researchers in the University of Nebraska system (NU) have collaborated with faculty and students in Central Asian institutes to improve water quality research across the globe. The purpose of this effort is to share NU’s knowledge and expertise in water quality research with a region that has limited resources and important water quality issues to address. In this episode, guest host Ann Briggs, public relations and engagement coordinator at the Nebraska Water Center, chats with Dan during one of his visits to Kazakhstan, along with Marjan Kalmakhanova, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology at M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz Regional University in Kazakhstan. Both discuss the importance and impact of global partnerships in water quality research. To learn more about this partnership, visit .
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29 - Nicole Lefore, DWFI
10/27/2023
29 - Nicole Lefore, DWFI
DWFI was recently selected to lead USAID's Feed the Future Lab for Irrigation and Mechanization Systems (ILIMS). In this episode of the Water for Food Podcast, Nicole Lefore, the director of the new lab and the associate director of sustainable agriculture water management at DWFI, shares the purpose of USAID's overall Feed the Future initiative; how ILIMS will support smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries and how the lab can ultimately reduce global hunger, poverty and undernutrition and help increase food and water security.
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28 - Ron Yoder - UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
09/13/2023
28 - Ron Yoder - UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Ron Yoder is a pillar of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln community and most recently served as the senior associate vice chancellor for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln ‘s (UNL’s) Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR). In this episode, DWFI Director of Communication and Public Relations Frances Hayes talks with Ron about the important role he played in formation of DWFI more than 10 years ago. They also look back on Ron’s storied career on the eve of his retirement. Ron joined UNL in 2004 as the department head for the Department of Biological Systems Engineering before becoming the associate vice chancellor for IANR in 2011. He also served as interim NU vice president and IANR vice chancellor in 2016, after then-IANR vice chancellor Ronnie Green was named the UNL chancellor.
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