As part of the University's service to the State of Nebraska, these faculty and staff extend their knowledge and research to the citizens of the state. Lincoln faculty have statewide responsibility, while faculty located at the Research and Extension Centers work in their districts. Please contact individuals listed below about the programs they present.

John Hay, Extension Educator
Bioenergy and biofuels

Jan Hygnstrom, Extension Project Manager; Residential On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems

William Kranz, Northeast Center; Irrigation

David Shelton, Northeast Center; Soil and water conservation, particular emphasis on crop residue cover

Slava Adamchuk
Precision Agricultural Engineering
Lincoln, Nebraska
(402) 472-8431

Dr. Adamchuk's Extension Schedule

Sample Educational programs:
Introduction to Precision Agriculture
This introductory lecture includes information on the technology used for site-specific crop management, as well as the advantages and limitations of precision agriculture. Some of the topics covered include Global Positioning System, yield mapping, geographic information systems, soil mapping and economic considerations.

Mapping Soil Properties On-the-Go
This program provides an overview of commercial soil sensors and those in the research stage used to map soil variability on-the-go. Topics cover what you need to know about soil variability, automated on-the-go mapping, and using data to establish management zones and develop application maps.

Profitability of Intense Soil Mapping
Compares different approaches to soil sampling, using geostatistical, agronomical, and economical knowledge to assess the value of information obtained from soil maps. Covers the meaning of variability, agroeconomic evaluation, and the uncertainty of conclusions.

GPS in Agriculture
Covering the basics of Global Positioning System as used in crop production, this presentation also covers observations on the accuracy of receivers, data processing, and GPS applications.

Dr. Dvorak provides public education programs relating to drinking water treatment and supply and concerning pollution prevention methods to business and industry.

Partners in Pollution Prevention (P3)
A member of the P3 team since its inception in 1997, Bruce leads a multidisciplinary team in providing pollution prevention technical assistance for Nebraska businesses through the Pollution Prevention (P2) program. Most the of the technical assistance is provided by undergraduate student interns perform the assistance during the summer. Interns are recruited and selected from junior and senior level engineering students attending universities in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.

Drinking Water Treatment and Supply
This extension program focuses on increasing the awareness of drinking water treatment options, both for rural and urban homeowners, and for community water supply managers and partner agency/organizations that are involved in similar programming. Education is provided to through publications such as Neb Guides and Extension Circulars, as well as presentations. Educational programs include basics of water treatment options for homeowners, emergency water treatment options for homeowners, and methods of dealing with emerging contaminants for community water supply managers and partner agency/organizations.

Tom Franti
Surface Water Management Engineer
Lincoln, Nebraska
(402) 472-9872

Specialization: Surface water quality

New Publications on Rain Gardens (Acrobat Reader required)
Rain Garden Design for Homeowners
Plant Selections for Rain Gardens
Installing Rain Gardens in Your Yard

Sample Educational Programs:
Conservation Buffers
Extension education activities are aimed at improving surface water quality through promoting adoption of grass filters and riparian buffers. Collaborative projects with the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Kansas State University in the Blue River Basin of Southeast Nebraska have focus on providing peer-to-peer outreach with landowners to educate them about riparian buffers for water quality protection and income. Specialty crop production in streamside buffers is promoted as a "productive conservation" measure. Demonstration buffers have been set up throughout eastern Nebraska, including a mile long streamside buffer at the UN Haskell Agricultural Laboratory, which demonstrates various plant materials and planting methods, and alternative engineered buffer designs.

Best Management Practices
Extension education activities are aimed at reducing atrazine runoff and promoting a systems approach to best management practices (BMPs). Collaborative efforts with Kansas State University and industrial and agency partners in both Nebraska and Kansas has focused BMP education to reduce runoff of atrazine into the Blue River Basin. This basin is shared by Nebraska and Kansas, and is source of drinking water in Kansas. Educational efforts have focused on applied research, promoting regional-specific BMPs, developing whole-field demonstration sites and providing publications and outreach related to reducing atrazine runoff from crop fields. Surveys have shown atrazine BMP adoption rates over 70% in targeted subwatersheds.

Platte Watershed Program
Managing multiple uses of critical water resources is the focus of the Platte Watershed Program (PWP). The PWP is a unique extension program designed to address the information, education, and research needs of stakeholders in the Platte River Watershed. The PWP links the applicable resources of the Extension system, the University of Nebraska and experience of the PWP staff to the needs of a wide range of stakeholders throughout the basin. Activities include the biannual Platte River Basin Ecosystem Symposium, which brings together researchers and natural resource managers, related publication resources, a website, and collaborative projects with The Nature Conservancy and the Prairie Plains Resource Institute to foster community-based natural resources protection.

Chris Henry
Extension Engineer
Lincoln, Nebraska
(402) 472-6529

Specialization: Livestock Waste Systems and Environmental issues
Animal Feeding Operation Project (Vegetative Treatment Systems)

Sample Educational Programs:
Livestock Waste Regulations: Also available as a home study series, this course and program covers how to interpret Title 130, explains the history of regulations, which agencies regulate, which operations are exempt, who must request an inspection, how to obtain a permit, what is required to obtain a permit, and what records must be kept. The course will prepare a producer for an NDEQ inspection or audit.

Mortality Management: Changes in rendering have left many livestock producers without service in recent years. This program focuses on the different methods of disposal, the advantages of such systems, and their drawbacks. The economics and logistics of the different disposal methods, how the NDA and NDEQ regulate these activities, and a detailed discussion on how to compost mortality's is covered.

Manure Matters Website: The Manure Matters Website is a source of information for livestock producers facing environmental challenges in today's operating environment. The website releases a monthly newsletter on a livestock environmental issue. There is a listserve available for newsletter releases. Information on the regulations, upcoming events, links to organizations, Nebguides and publications, etc. can be found at Manure Matters.

Demonstration Programs:
Alternative Waste Handling Systems for Small Livestock Operations: Demonstration of wetlands and vegetative filters as alternatives to conventional runoff containment systems. To evaluate the feasibility and appropriateness of these systems three livestock producers volunteered to install systems. The systems have been constructed and are being evaluated. The first demonstration site uses a three cell wetland system and debris basin to capture and treat the runoff from a 295 head feedlot. Another demonstration site uses a rocked diversion to divert extraneous drainage that was keeping an existing terrace collection system from working properly for a small back-grounding operation. Finally, a 90 head dairy operation is utilizing a concrete debris basin, wetland cell and filter strip to treat the runoff from their open lot and parlor. These sites will be available for tours in the Spring of 2003 and have been funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust.

Low Water Stream Crossings for Cattle: Demonstration and evaluation of using low water steam crossings made from concrete to minimize the impact cattle have to streams. Low water stream crossings can also help stabilize stream banks and reduce stream bank erosion by giving cattle an all weather and accessible crossing. This practice is currently being evaluated through a demonstration project funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust.

Specialization: Residential Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Waste Management, and Pollution Prevention (P2).

Jan writes educational materials and delivers training on septic systems and wastewater lagoon systems for contractors, inspectors and homeowners. She is a member of the Nebraska Onsite Waste Water Association (NOWWA), and serves on the education committee of the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA).

Residential On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems
Education is provided to rural homeowners and installers through web sites, seminar training, and publications such as Neb Guides and Extension Circulars. On-Site Wastewater Treatment.

Partners in Pollution Prevention (P3)
Jan was a member of the P3 team from its inception in 1997, helping train and provide resources for Pollution Prevention (P2) interns who provided technical assistance to Nebraska business and industry during the summer. As of 2006, her focus is entirely wastewater treatment, although she provides some historical perspectives on the program when needed.

Sample Educational programs:
Irrigation Engineering
Efficient use of water resources in irrigated agriculture is essential to the long-term viability of the state's agricultural industry. Irrigation provides stability and sustainability of crop production and enhances the economics of the state of Nebraska. Irrigated agriculture is a crucial component of Nebraska's economy representing an annual income for the state of about $5 billion. In the United States, approximately 25.5 million hectares are now being irrigated. Total land area under irrigation in Nebraska has increased from about 1.7 million hectares in 1970 to 3.3 million hectares in 2000.

Efficient use of water resources in Nebraska is crucial to the sustainability of the agro- and ecosystems and economy of the state. Growers are being challenged to practice conservation methods and use water resources more efficiently and reduce runoff while meeting crop water requirements. Rapid depletion of freshwater resources and drought conditions, and degradation of groundwater quality in recent years impose challenges on the growers, consultants, extension educators, and their advisors to make more intelligent decisions to use water resources more efficiently. These conditions have also increased the competition for freshwater resources between different sectors (industry, public, etc.). Each sector has the responsibility to conserve and use water resources efficiently.

Sensor-based irrigation scheduling, crop water use efficiency, and subsurface drip irrigation
Suat is working with extension personnel and other research colleagues to develop and evaluate strategies to use Nebraska's precious water resources more efficiently. He conducts extension and education programs throughout the state to educate clientele and demonstrate different soil, crop, and climate-based techniques that can be used to schedule irrigation to achieve a better agricultural water management. He has been sharing this knowledge and his experience with clients on how to use soil moisture (soil water content and soil matric potential) sensors in irrigation scheduling for water conservation.

Suat is conducting research projects at the UNL's South Central Agricultural Laboratory (SCAL) near Clay Center on direct measurement of crop evapotranspiration and other climate variables and their use in agricultural water management. He has also been active in carrying out research activities with conventional subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and low pressure subsurface drip irrigation (LPSDI) that can result in further water saving and increased crop water use efficiency (amount of yield and dry matter produced per amount of irrigation water applied) for corn and soybeans. Both SDI and LPSDI can be advantageous methods for irrigating relatively small and/or odd-shaped fields or high-value crops, though this is usually not suitable for center pivots. Both systems can be operated with a low-capacity irrigation wells (~250 GPM).

Suat has several demonstration sites throughout the state on various soil water status sensors (time-domain reflectometry, watermark granular matrix sensor, profile probe, etc.) that can be used by growers and consultants to monitor their own soil water status to schedule irrigation. Clientele are given first-hand exposure to these systems through field days and open house visits. He also has several research and demonstration sites on evapotranspiration gages (ETgages) which are simple, economical and accurate sensors that can be used by growers and consultants to monitor their own crop water use data. These demonstration sites are part of his efforts to introduce ETgages to Nebraska growers and consultants.

Crop diagnostic clinics
During July and August of each year, a series of crop management diagnostic clinics are held at the Agricultural Research Division at Mead in Eastern Nebraska. Suat participates in this clinic and provides educational information on measurement of soil water status and evapotranspiration for more efficient agricultural water management. The participants for the clinics are those who are working in the agribusiness sector, growers, crop consultants, and extension educators. The impact of these clinics can be crucial since every person participating in this clinic has the potential of impacting irrigation and water management practices on thousands of acres of irrigated crops.

Crop Management Diagnostic Clinics

Irrigation short courses
Held in February, the Central Plains Irrigation Short Course provides research-based educational information to a large number of clientele in Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado. Every year, the course is hosted by the Land Grant University in one of these three states. As a member of the Central Plains Irrigation Association, Suat has presented the latest technologies on various techniques to measure soil water content and soil matric potential and their application in agricultural water management. The course is open to anyone interested in irrigated agriculture.

Specialization: No-till system management and precision agriculture

Frequent contributor to Crop Watch
Crop Watch is the crop production and crop scouting newsletter published by the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension. Paul provides articles on the topics listed below, machinery management, and his various research projects.

Sample Educational programs:
No-till planting equipment and no-till system management
Planters, drills, and air seeders in no-till must cut and handle the residue, penetrate the soil to desired seeding depth, establish seed-to-soil contact, and close the seed-vee. Proper planting equipment, adjustments, and operation makes this easy. However, no-till is far more than just planting the crop without tillage. The crop production system must be managed properly the year-around—spreading residue, placing nutrients, establishing the crop, controlling pests, and more—to ensure success and fully benefit from no-till.

Conservation tillage equipment and system evaluation
A wide range of equipment is available for use in crop production. Likewise, there are a variety of tillage systems used depending on field conditions, conservation requirements, management ability, and a host of other factors. Understanding and selecting the proper ones are keys to profitability and conservation of resources.

Cultural practices for soil and water conservation
Soil and water are valuable resources that need to be protected for use by future generations. Though used for crop production, there are best management practices available to conserve them and to reduce the negative impacts on the environment. Yields can be increased with improved soil structure and better water use, enhancing profitability and sustainability.

Site specific crop management from a systems approach
Variability exists in nature, yet crop production tends to have a blanket approach. By properly matching crops and inputs to the potential of each site, profitability can be improved while protecting the environment. However, producers shouldn't be using the new precision ag technologies and equipment to make "nickel and dime" decisions while making some "dollar" mistakes by not considering all their options and using a systems approach.

Calibrating yield monitors and combine dynamics
Yield monitors and many other precision ag technologies are powerful tools to improve profitability in crop production. However, they are only tools and must be calibrated and used properly to gather accurate data and make informed decisions. Producers need to understand the function, operation, and application of any of these tools, realizing their limitations as well.

Interpreting precision ag maps and developing management zones
Precision ag involves field and data analysis to make informed management decisions on a site specific basis to improve profitability and protect the environment. Recognizing patterns on maps and identifying their causes in the field are keys to making the proper decisions and developing usable management zones. An understanding of how productivity is affected by field variability and varying the levels of crop inputs is needed to develop the zones and management schemes within the zones.

Sample Educational programs:
Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum LPES
This curriculum covers animal dietary strategies, manure storage and treatment, land application and nutrient management, outdoor air quality and other related issues.

Nebraska Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning
The CNMP program combines workbooks, a training program, and in-field assistance to help livestock producers meet Nebraska manure management requirements, protect the local environment and gain economic benefits from manure to achieve environmentally sustainable production systems.

Agricultural Environmental Management Systems AGEMS
EMS is flexible and voluntary; each producer decides on the pace, scope and priority of changes to be made. It provides a way for making continual improvements, meeting regulatory requirements and demonstrating good environmental stewardship.

Check this web site for Nebraska-specific information: Manure Matters

Derrel Martin
Irrigation and Water Resources Engineer
Lincoln, Nebraska
(402) 472-1586

Derrel Martin's specializations include water resources, agricultural water management, remote sensing of evapotranspiration, and the impact of conservation practices on surface hydrology and infiltration.

2006 Tractor Operator's Contest Results (Excel file)

2005 Tractor Operator's Contest Results (Acrobat Reader required)
Course Guidelines (Acrobat Reader required)

Nebraska Agricultural Fatalities Open file Internet Explorer users can right click this link, select Save Target As, and it will download to your computer. Please read about this database before proceeding.

Excel workbook contains incident data since 1969. Searchable fields include name, incident date (since 1974), time of incident (since 1987), age, gender, county, type of injury, and a short synopsis of the incident events. Included are charts depicting mechanism, age and when incidents occur. Data can be filtered by adding a spread sheet to any of the fields the user defines. Sheet number 2 contains census figures for 1990 and 2000 for Nebraska counties, villages, and towns. Tabs indicate the tables and graphs that can be printed. Workbook is updated as new fatalities come in, usually monthly.

The file exceeds 8 mb, and will take some time to download unless you have a high-speed connection (allow 5 minutes for those connection speeds). With a 56K modem, allow at least half an hour. You may be asked to log onto the ftp client. Just click okay and click okay for every window that opens until the excel sheet opens. Internet Explorer users can also right click on the words If you modify the sheet and close it from your browser, the system will prompt you to save the file on your computer.

The spreadsheet was created with Excel 2000, and should be compatible with any of the newer versions of Excel. Feel free to use the information contained in this file for your safety programs. If you have problems, call or email Dave.

Sample programs for farm and youth safety:
Farm Machinery Extrication
Designed for Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel, this course features hands-on training in evening, half- or full-day sessions. Training sessions meet Nebraska Health & Human Services requirements for EMS continuing education credit.

Emergency Management of Pesticide/Herbicide Poisoning
For Fire, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Department personnel, 2 - 3 hour lecture/discussion format. This meets NHHS requirements for continuing education credit.

4-H Citizen Safety
1 hour lecture/demonstration for Youth Leaders to use the Citizen Safety Handbook to create and judge Safety projects.

We maintain the Ag Safety slide and video library; for a catalog, email: dmorgan1@unl.edu or call 402-472-2442.

Rick Stowell
Animal Environmental Engineer
Lincoln, Nebraska
(402) 472-3912

Sample Educational programs:
Heat-stress mitigation for dairy cattle
Rick collaborates in developing regional extension materials on cooling cows using improved airflow and evaporative cooling techniques. Educational activities include field days at commercial dairy farms and participation in the Extension Dairy Group's spring dairy program.

Ventilation clinics
Enhancing farm managers' and employees' abilities to properly manage existing ventilation systems is the focus of this program. Topical information on ventilation systems and components is presented at interactive meetings where a significant proportion of time is allocated to addressing individual producer questions and problems. Rick is working with Extension specialists from neighboring states to utilize a mobile teaching lab to provide hands-on training on the use of mechanical ventilation components and controls in 2003.

Animal facilities
Rick collaborates with specialists in Animal Sciences to support and offer a variety of management programs. The most recent program offering was a Swine Farrowing School that was offered to producers at several locations in the state. Upcoming programs include a Swine Breeding & Gestation School for producers and a program for veterinarians on Ventilation of Nursery Facilities.

Odor control
Rick supports group efforts within BSE to provide information and educational opportunities to animal producers and community residents regarding odors and odor control. He provides information regarding odor emissions and control in the ventilation process.

Sample Educational programs:
On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Management
This extension program is directed toward the continued education of owners, contractors, vendors and regulators of on-site wastewater treatment and management systems. Educational materials are developed and distributed, and focused workshops are held at locations across the state.
Wayne also is part of the Nebraska Onsite Wastewater Treatment Task Force, which consists of local and state agencies, contractors (NOWWA), educators, and regulators involved with the industry. The mission of the task force is to increase the knowledge and capability of target audiences to achieve proper design, installation, maintenance, and operation of onsite wastewater treatment systems, such as septic systems and lagoons.
On-Site Wastewater Treatment.

Wellhead Protection Through Groundwater Education and Pollution Prevention
This extension program is focused on increasing the awareness of wellhead protection as a pollution prevention technique, primarily among community water supply managers and partner agency/organizations that are involved in similar programming. Wellhead protection involves protection for both quality and quantity of water supply. Educational programs include basics of groundwater flow, groundwater engineering, well design, and optimal management of groundwater extraction systems to maximize sustainability.

Groundwater Model
This extension program supports the sand tank groundwater demonstration model that is built by the Biological Systems Engineering shop.

Partners in Pollution Prevention (P3)
A member of the P3 team since its inception in 1997, Wayne provides leadership, along with a multidisciplinary faculty, for the Pollution Prevention (P2) program and interns who provide technical assistance to Nebraska business and industry during the summer. Interns are recruited and selected from junior and senior level engineering students attending universities in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.

Groundwater Model information

William Kranz
Northeast Research and Extension Center
Norfolk, Nebraska
(402) 584-3857

Specialization: Irrigation

Sample Educational programs:
Irrigation and Nitrogen Best Management Practices
Several areas of northeast Nebraska have experienced an increase in the nitrate-nitrogen content of their groundwater supplies. The source of the contamination is primarily nonpoint source pollution due to poor irrigation management, and poor nitrogen management. Nitrate leaching can occur due to excess irrigation or rainfall applications when large amounts of nitrogen are present and available for transport. Bill leads the effort to encourage the use of irrigation scheduling techniques to minimize the number of times when leaching might occur and to conserve irrigation water and energy. This project has received funding from two sources – Natural Resources Districts and Region VII EPA.

Sprinkler package selection
Center pivots are used to apply water on about sixty percent of the irrigated land in Nebraska or about 4.8 million acres. While producers can use almost any sprinkler on field conditions with little slope and high infiltration rate soils, much of the sprinkler irrigated land in Nebraska is rolling and the selection of a sprinkler package can be a very important decision. Bill led the effort to develop a computer program to help match sprinkler packages with field conditions so that irrigation efficiency is maintained and surface runoff eliminated. Bill also worked with Derrel Martin to develop a Windows based version of the program that will be used by the Natural Resources Conservation Service to document cost share money provided to producers wishing to change to lower pressure sprinkler packages or from furrow irrigation to center pivots.

Crop diagnostic clinics
Each year a series of crop management diagnostic clinics are held at the ARDC at Mead. Bill provides educational information on irrigation water management, sprinkler selection and surge flow irrigation. The audience for the clinics are individuals working in the agribusiness sector, crop consultants and producers, many whom require continuing education units. Since each person in attendance can impact the irrigation management on 10,000 acres or more, the impact of these clinics can be substantial.

Irrigation short courses
In each of the past 15 years the Central Plains Irrigation Short Course has provided research based educational information to irrigators and agency personnel in Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado. Each year the program is hosted by the Land Grant Institution in a one of the three states. As a member of the Central Plains Irrigation Association Bill has presented the latest information on sprinkler package selection and application of animal effluent to alfalfa and corn. In addition, Bill and his colleagues regularly develop and deliver Irrigation Short Courses in Nebraska. In 2003, educational opportunities were provided to over 350 producers in O’Neill, Fairbury, Holdrege, North Platte, and Alliance.

Chemigation training
The University of Nebraska has been subcontracted by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality to develop and deliver a chemigation training program required to use irrigation systems to deliver fertilizers or pesticides. In 2003, over 1800 individuals were trained by Extension Educators and Specialists across the state. Bill serves as the statewide coordinator of the chemigation training program and he participates in training sessions in northeast Nebraska producers.

David Shelton
Northeast Research and Extension Center
Norfolk, Nebraska
(402) 584-3849

Specialization: Soil and water conservation, particular emphasis on crop residue cover.

John Smith
Panhandle Research and Extension Center
Scottsbluff, Nebraska
(308) 632-1247

Specialization: Machinery systems

Sample Educational Programs:
Harvest Systems for Dry Edible Beans
Combine accessories and adjustments can make a large difference in mechanical damage to bean seed during harvest. Research studies at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff have helped define best operating adjustments and equipment for most popular combines. Cultural practices and other harvest operations prior to combining can also influence a successful harvest.

Planting and tillage Systems for Sugarbeets
The major planters used in the U.S. and several used in Europe have been tested at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center at Scottsbluff for accuracy of spacing between seeds in the field. Accurate seed spacing is a critical factor in yield potential but also in weed control and harvest. The most popular planter used for sugarbeets in the U.S., the Deere MaxEmerge planter, has been evaluated with available seed tube options, and recommendations have been made for several planting conditions. Tillage, or more specifically, seedbed preparation, can have a dramatic influence on planter performance and on field emergence of sugarbeets.

Planting and Harvest Systems for Chicory
Chicory, grown for industrial uses of the roots, has unique requirements for tillage, planting, and harvesting. Field production practices have been developed to maximize seedling emergence, provide good plant spacing, and to manage harvest with minimal harvest loss.

Specialization: Irrigation water resources

Sample Educational Programs:
Surge irrigation demonstration
In cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Wyoming Area Office, Dean supervises a surge valve demonstration program in the North Platte River Valley of Nebraska and Wyoming. Interested producers are provided with a surge valve that they can use for one year. If needed, the producers are given training to assist them in proper setup and use of the equipment. Surge offers surface irrigators the opportunity to reduce labor requirements and improve overall surface water management.

Water management for canal delivery systems
In cooperation with irrigation districts located in the North Platte Valley of Nebraska and Wyoming, Dean has developed a newsletter that is distributed to nearly all landowners and irrigators located in the valley. The Irrigators News Line is mailed twice each year and provides updates on legislative and water policy issues that can impact irrigation. The newsletter is also used to provide information on best management practices to improve on-farm efficiency. Also in cooperation with the irrigation districts, Dean plans and coordinates the annual North Platte River Basin Water Policy Conference. This conference provides information on current and future water policy actions that impact valley irrigators.

Regional irrigation management
As a technical member on the board of the Central Plains Irrigation Association, Dean represents the state of Nebraska in planning and conducting the annual Central Plains Irrigation Short Course. This program is developed in conjunctions with Kansas State University, Colorado State University and the USDA Agricultural Research Service located in Fort Collins, CO. Each year the program is rotated among the three cooperating states to provide area irrigators and agribusiness and agency personnel the opportunity to here specialists and researchers from across the central plains report on current irrigation related research results.

Water quantity and quality issues
A variety of educational programs are developed each year to address both water quantity issues caused by declining water tables and water quality issues caused by poor water management practices. As examples, Dean provides water management training for irrigators located within NRD water management control areas. Control areas address local quantity and/or quality issues. Dean also takes part in providing crop consultants and agribusiness personnel training that is needed for continuing education units as required by their job as a agricultural consultant.

Sugarbeet and dry bean production
Dean is a member of a team of research and extension specialists located at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center that focus on sugarbeet and dry bean production. This team of researchers not only provides local producers with crop production programming but is also recognized as a regional leader for these crops as well. During the past several years, Dean has emphasized the development of sugarbeet and dry bean water management strategies to deal with limited water caused by either ground water declines or surface water drought.

Crop management workshop
Each year a crop management workshop is held and focuses on an individual crop that is grown in the area. Past workshops have focused on corn, sugarbeet, dry bean and winter wheat. As a member of a team of extension specialists at the Panhandle Center, Dean provides irrigation water management training as a part of these workshops. The primary target audience are those individuals working in the agribusiness sector, many of whom require continuing education units as a part of their employment. This course has traditionally been offered as a two day intensive field oriented training session.