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Episode 49 - Irrigation as a Service: A New Paradigm In our first episode of 2026, host Frances Hayes discusses a unique approach to supporting access to irrigation for smallholder farmers with Erin Anders, 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 DWFI's recent series on IaaS. In this episode, she gives an insider's look at the challenges and potential of this growing movement.

In this special episode, host Frances Hayes sits down with Peter McCornick, Executive Director of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, as he concludes nearly a decade of leadership.   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.

In this episode, host Frances Hayes sits down with Crystal Powers, 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.  

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 https://knowyourwell.unl.edu/

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 Frances Hayes, 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.   Adam Keough, 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 tractor museum during the 2023 Water for Food Global Conference. 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 » https://www.flickr.com/photos/raiceselsalvador/albums/72177720315528127/  

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 Arindam Malakar, a researcher with the Nebraska Water Center (NWC, a part of DWFI) who studies Nebraska's vadose zone and monitors the impacts of irrigation and fertilizer on groundwater.   Hayes is also joined by Marie Krausnick, assistant general manager for Nebraska's Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (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).  

In the 43rd episode of the Water for Food Podcast, host Frances Hayes speaks with Claudia Ringler of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) about the crucial link between irrigation and global health, expanding on Ringler's recent Heuermann Lecture as part of the 2025 Water for Food Global Conference 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.

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 here.  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.

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.

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 Valmont Industries 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.

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, How can Future Climate Change Affect the Corn Production System in Nebraska, USA?   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

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. Piyush Mehta and Assistant Professor Dr. Kyle Davis, both in the Department of Geography & Spatial Sciences at the University of Delaware.  View the research mentioned in the episode here.

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: waterforfood.nebraska.edu/irrigandmech

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 Drought and Public Health Roadmap 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 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website) for free, confidential, and immediate help.

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 Water for Food and The Combine AgTech Incubator by Invest Nebraska, 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 https://waterforfood.nebraska.edu/news-and-events/news/2024/03/dwfi-invest-nebraska-release-2024-nebraska-agtech-innovation-ecosystem-map   Upcoming Agtech Connect: https://www.agtechconnect.co/