Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Multiple audiences were targeted for capacity building by Heartland issue teams, including members of land grant research and extension programs, technical and regulatory agencies, non-governmental organizations, advisors to the crop and livestock industry, and citizen watershed leaders. In 2009, the Animal Manure Management team began to sponsor events for state legislators. Heartland Regional Initiative-sponsored roundtables, workshops and conferences were generally by invitation. Issue teams focused on building communication and personal networks among a limited group of "multipliers" - researchers, educators and agency leaders who could move regional initiatives forward. Heartland issue teams also partnered with agencies and university programs to conduct training for field specialists and technical assistance providers. Some Heartland regional activities focused specifically on capacity building for university extension educators, including 1890 and 1994 universities, to take an expanded role in water quality and other natural resources outreach and education. Under both Heartland grants, Heartland events have involved over 800 participants. Focus group studies document Heartland Initiative impacts on institutional capacity. Partners recognized Heartland as a facilitator of regional networks and partnerships, as well as, a source of research-based knowledge. Further, environmental agency staff and researchers reported greater awareness of related work in other organizations and states, and were more likely to seek out land grant resources. Participants reported that Heartland has given them increased access to EPA staff and programs. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Heartland Initiative integrated previous regional activities with additional priority water resource issues in 2008. Two new PIs joined the leadership and new advisory committees were established for theAMM, Bioenergy and Water Resources (BWR), Watershed Management Education (WM) andHD issues. A 2009 Regional Water Conference for Extension professionalshad 117 attendees from 8 states. A 2010 Regional Showcase for deans and directors of ANR Extension for HeartlandLGUs, the NIFA National Water Program Leader and the Regional Advisory Committee was held at the US EPA R7 Headquarters and shared Heartland outcomes since 2002. It included a facilitated discussion on developing a vision for future multi-state water extension and research programs. Heartland cohosted the 2011 Agricultural Decision Making with a Water & Climate Change Perspective Regional Conference with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Central Region Climate Services; 138 educational, advisory and regulatory personnel from Extension, EPA, NOAA, and other agencies and organizations from 8 states attended. A primary issue for client-oriented participants was how to be more effective. The 2013 Sustaining Collaboration in the Heartland Regional Conference’s audience of 126 was concerned with emerging regional water issues and developing a framework to address them as the Initiative ends. NM and BWR joined for a 2009 research roundtable on cost effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs) and conversion of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to crop production; 30 scientists discussed current research and identified collaborative research and extension opportunities. AMM’s forum on livestock environmental issues targeted the legislative community with 25 state legislators discussing livestock issues requiring action. In 2010, NM-AMM’s research roundtable and June workshop (34 and 81 participating) on NM for water protection in highly productive systems had a focus on projected impacts of climate change and nutrient and bioenergy priority water issues; discussions started on addressing the issue among Extension, advisory and regulatory audiences. Two 2010 NM webcasts on climate change and nutrient use efficiency and NM for highly productive systems with WQ perspectives helped crop producers and professionals improve environmental practices; each had 75 participants. AMM-NM participated in 2-state NM training events which contacted over 400 crop and livestock producers and advisors. The annual AMMissues update for regional technical and regulatory specialists shared information on field implementation of NM plans and a review of state implementation of policy and regulations for CAFO NMPs. AMM also partnered with the Great Lakes Region and the National Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) for two trainings for Certified Planners on conservation planning and cultural resources. A 2011 roundtable on Heartland P-Indexissues resulted in a multi-state working group to evaluate regional collaboration on PI revisions. The NM-AMM PI working group held conference calls every 3-4 weeks leading to a detailed roundtable review of the P-Index in 2012; 15 attended. Discussion of a regional project led to a successful CIG grant for validation of the P-Index. The working group will continue after Heartland. The 2011 Regional AMM Workshop had 67 agency specialists. AMM collaborated with the Iowa Beef Center and the IDNR in cattle producer meetings on medium CAFO rules (over 400 attended), partnered with EPA R7 on "Defining the CAFO Rule" and "Nebraska and Iowa P-Index Standards" and for the "North American Manure Expo," and with the 10-States manure education project on farm tours and an Extension educators manure workshop. The NM-AMM teams held a 2nd Conservation Planning course in 2012 cohosted with Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska NRCS for 21 students from 8 states. The 2012 Animal Manure Workshop had 53 attendees who reviewed EPA & state regulatory inclusion of CAFO rules; many believed working on impaired water courses through a formal watershed structure HUC 8 or smaller is key. Nine AMM newsletters from 2008-13 are on the Heartland website. TheBWR team completed the Water and Bioenergy curriculum module for the integrated project "Energy Independence, Bioenergy Generation and Environmental Sustainability" and presented it at a NIFA-sponsored conference for extension educators in 2011. The team created an online bioenergy curriculum and in 2012 held a curriculum training session for educators from 13 NC LGUs. AMM, NM and BWR joined for the 2013 Heartland 3 in 1 Workshop on AMM, NM and bioenergy,and CCA/TSP training.The WM team's Education Exchange in 2009 focused on capacity building for environmental education at undergraduate and minority institutions. Participants, including faculty and teaching staff of 1860, 1890 and 1994 LGUs, shared water related curricula, best education practices, collaborative opportunities and curriculum modules to strengthen watershed education in their institutions. In 2010, the team conducted a workshop on building a tabletop watershed model as a teaching tool for 15 attendees with project responsibilities. A 2011 WM Education workshop held in cooperation with Haskell Indian Nations University had 22 participants, including representatives from 3 Kansas Indian tribes, who learned to construct watershed models and teaching tools and strategies. The team used watershed topographic maps as part of Missouri Stream Teams workshop in 2012. A watershed curriculum is available on the Heartland website. In 2009, the authors writing for HD’s "Pathways for Getting to Better Water Quality: the Citizen Effect" and others attended a roundtable funded by the NM and HD teams where they shared current social, political and economic research related to citizen participation in water issues and proposed multi-regional collaborative research. HDundertook a national analysis of the regional surveys conducted by the National Water Program; published a research report on surveys of regional watersheds; and conducted a research study of citizen performance-based watershed management. The multi-state, multi-region research working group initiated by the HD team received approval from the NC Region for a social research project, "Causes and Consequences of Individual and Collective Actions to Protect Water Resources." Two NIFA-funded five-year research programs involving LGU participants from 9 states were developed with leadership by members of the HD team. Producer surveys with water, nitrogen and climate questions were sent out by the HD team in conjunction with two other NIFA projects and represented 22 HUC 6 watersheds in 9 states. Survey data on ~5,000 farmers will provide opportunities to test relationship of crop patterns, climate, and water degradation. The Modeling Specialist conducted a regional needs assessment of employees of state environmental agencies and NRCS whose job responsibilities include working with models. He presented or coordinated webinars on modeling and choosing models for planning and assessment, webcasts on soil and water assessment tools (SWAT)and models for resource management; presented an overview of watershed models at the 9 Element Watershed Management Conference; implemented a workshop on environmental risk assessment and management systemin Iowa; presented a soil and water assessment tool/agricultural policy/extender environmentalmodeling workshop in Missouri; held a mini-workshop on the SWAT model for agency and university specialists at ISU at the request of the IDNR; and a hands-on workshop for R7 modeling specialists and 2 R5 specialists in Ames. The 2013 National Water Conferences included34 posters, presentations and panels from Heartland teams. Reports and resources are archived on the Heartland Regional site, www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/. Heartland Initiative supported 7 graduate students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Heartland influenced how institutions in four states, programs, and individuals conduct their water quality efforts. Primary objectives were increased communication and networking on regional water issues. At the 2010 Heartland Regional Showcase, the National Program Leader said "Heartland fit his model for the future of NIFA multi-state programs in selecting a small number of critical regional issues to address and in the strength of cooperation and shared responsibility displayed among team members from different states." The Soil and Water Conservation Society Executive Directorobserved that the Heartland Animal Manure Management (AMM)team added value by making compliance easier. At the 2010 NIFA National Water Conference, the Committee for Shared Leadership of the NIFA National Water Program honored Heartland Project Manager Gerald A. Miller with the naming of the Gerald A. Miller Outreach Team Award in recognition of his contributions to the protection and enhancement of U.S. water resources. The first award was presented to the Heartland AMM team water resources program. Over half the attendees at the 2009 Regional Water Conference had attended in 2006. In a post-conference survey, 74% believed their clients had a greater need for water programs and education, but a majority saw less or no change in client requests or interest. Exit survey participants estimated they reached a combined total of over 70,000 people annually, through media or in multiple audiences. The 2011 Climate Change (CC)Conference provided basic science on CC, associated water and agriculture studies, and current efforts by staff of the Heartland Initiative universities and agencies. The conference participants gained knowledge of the science and issues associated with water, agriculture and CC. A key finding was the need for extension and environmental agencies to come up with "One Clear Message" when speaking with clientele. Post conference evaluations showed majorities (73% or more) would share information on basic science, implications for crop production and management, implications for watershed management and floodwater, and mitigation, adaptation and recovery. Participants estimated their audience at more than 18,000.In April 2013, Heartland hosted the "Sustaining Collaboration in the Heartland Regional Conference." The audiencewas concerned with emerging regional water issues and the development of a framework to address them following the end of the Heartland Initiative. Conference objectives were to set the stage for sustained collaboration among Land Grant Universities (LGUs), agency, industry, and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)partners; expand interstate communication and sharing research-based information; and build capacity of Extension educators to conduct programming on water resource topics. Over 80% of survey respondentsgained information to use with clientele with thehighest responsesin areas of sustaining collaboration (81%), atrazine (72%), cover crops (91%) and climate change and ag (86%).Heartland began building a national network of social scientists working in water issues in 2008. Researchers who attended a roundtable and authored book chapters represented universities in four Regional Water Coordination programs. They used a shared wiki to develop a multi-regional proposal. Human Dimension (HD)also leveraged research collaborations and student support with theNebraska Department of Environmental Quality and theUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln to survey urban and rural watersheds; with the National Water Program to conduct follow-up regional surveys; with Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)to evaluate the state revolving fund for water protection; and, in conjunction, with two other NIFA projects sent out surveys with water, nitrogen and climate questions to producers representing 22HUC6 watersheds in 9 states. The AMM Nutrient Management Plan (NMP)working group's 2009 white paper "Incorporating the Narrative Approach into the General Permit" and example "NPDES NMP" included terms drawn from the Missouri Technical Standard and was drafted with regionally developed software. EPAacceptance essentially documented national approval for an entire planning process as envisioned and presented by Heartland partners. A 2011 roundtable on Heartland P-Index (PI)issues resulted in a multi-state working group to evaluate regional collaboration on PI revisions. The NM-AMM PI working group held conference calls and a roundtable review of the P-Index in 2012, then wrote a successful Conservation Innovation Grant for validation of a regional P-Index. AMM built a regional network of legislators interested in livestock environmental issues. After the 2009 forum, AMM leaders made invited presentations to the Midwestern Legislative Conference. Participation of the EPA Region 7 (R7)Regional Administrator in the 2010 AMM meeting and the close partnership of EPA Livestock Program Specialists with AMM efforts resulted in Administrator Brooks discussing specific opportunities for Heartland to assist him in reaching university-linked audiences. In a survey taken after the 2011 annual AMM workshop, which focused mainly on Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)rules and was attended primarily by regulatory agency staff and university outreach, the vast majority reported having attended three or more previous Heartland events. Post-workshop comments cited benefits of trying to develop common practices and recommendations to ensure the impact to producers is balanced across state lines. Exit survey results at the 2013 AMM workshop encouraged continued work on regional efforts focusing on solutions to long-term water quality improvement, farm level solutions and outreach. The 2009 NM/BWR roundtable and workshop exit survey found that new information would preferentially be communicated to Extension and Resource Management Specialists. Attendees with regulatory responsibilities usually said they lacked opportunities to discuss resource issues with their colleagues, compared to those who worked in Research and Extension. Survey respondents from the 2010 NM/BWR workshop said they gained new information for improving NM and became more familiar with the impacts of residue removal on soil and water quality. The BWR team partnered with the NIFA National Water Program Facilitation Project to create an on-line bioenergy curriculum for extension educators. A training session for using the curriculum held in 2012 was attended by educators from the 13 NC Region LGUs. BWR developed a module to address water use in fuel production and bioenergy policy issues relevant to water. AMM, NM and BWR joined for the "2013 Heartland 3 in 1 Workshop" on AMM, NM and Bioenergy, and Certified Crop Advisor/Technical Service Provider (CCA/TSP)training. The 2010 Conservation Planning training involved 28 professional service providers from 8 states who practice in 24 states. A post-event questionnaire found they gained new information and felt increased confidence in conducting tasks essential to carrying out conservation planning: assessing conditions on the land and making practice recommendations. This differs from a measure of knowledge gained in that it points towards actual implementation of learning. In a survey following the Watershed Management (WM)Education Exchange in 2010, participants said they learned ways to incorporate WM into their existing courses, the session would help them recruit students to environmental programs and valued the opportunity to learn from each other.The 2011 WME "Building a Watershed Workshop" exit surveyshowed 73% of attendees felt confident about identifying watershed boundaries from topographic maps, they would share with colleagues the information they learned and would use the information in their work with water quality education.Heartland played a part in at least 13 grants received in R7 states.
Publications
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2008
Citation:
Regassa, T., Koelsch, R., Wortmann, C., Randall, R., and Abunyewa, A. 2008. Use of Antibiotics in Animal Production: Environmental Concerns. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, RP196.
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2008
Citation:
Wortmann, C., Helmers, M., Gelder, B., Wright Morton, L., Devlin, D., Barden, C., Anderson, S., Broz, R., Franti, T., Regassa, T., Shea, P., Tomer, M., Frees, L., and Griffith, D. 2008. Targeting of Watershed Management Practices for Water Quality Protection. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, RP195. http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/waterquality/targeting%20pub.pdf
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Wortmann, C., Wright Morton, L., Helmers, M., and Ingels, C. 2011. Cost-Effective Water Quality Protection in the Midwest. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, RP197. http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/waterquality/2011/Cost%20Effective%20Publication%202011.pdf
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Wortmann, C., Mallarino, A., Al-Kaisi, M., Helmers, M., Sawyer, J., Devlin, D., Barden, C., Pierzynski, P., Lory, J., Massey, R., Shapiro, C., Holz, J., and Kovar, J. 2005, rev. 2013. Agricultural Phosphorus Management for Water Quality Protection in the Midwest. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, RP 187. http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/rp187/build/rp187.pdf
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2009
Citation:
Franti, T., (moderator). 2009. Converting CRP Grassland to Crop Production and Pasture. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/Bioenergy/WEbcasts/Converting+CRP+Grassland+to+Crop+Production+and+Pasture/View+this+Webcast.htm
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Dow, R., Franti, T., Burkett, E., and Broz, R. 2011. Unit 3.1: Introduction, in Module 3, Water Resources: Issues and Opportunities in Bioenergy Generation. On-line Curriculum. Bioenergy Training Center. http://blogs.extension.,org/bioen3/units/unit-3-1/.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Dow, R., Franti, T., Burkett, E., Broz, R., Jobman, E., and Norrie, C. 2011. Unit 3.2: Watershed Level Impacts, in Module 3, Water Resources: Issues and Opportunities in Bioenergy Generation. On-line Curriculum. Bioenergy Training Center. http://blogs.extension.org/bioen3/units/unit-3-2/.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Franti, T., Broz, R., Burkett, E., Dow, R., Jobman, E., and Norrie, C. 2011. Water Resources: Issues and Opportunities in Bioenergy Generation. Module 3 in Lezberg, S. and Mullins, J. (ed.) Bioenergy and Sustainability Course. On-line Curriculum. Bioenergy Training Center. http://fyi.uwex.edu/biotrainingcenter/.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Franti, T. and Jobman, E. 2011. Unit 3.3: Water Use in Bioenergy Production, in Module 3, Water Resources: Issues and Opportunities in Bioenergy Generation. On-line Curriculum. Bioenergy Training Center. http://blogs.extension.org/bioen3/units/unit-3-3/.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Franti, T. and Norrie, C. 2011. Unit 3.4: Policy Options and Implications, in Module 3, Water Resources: Issues and Opportunities in Bioenergy Generation. On-line Curriculum. Bioenergy Training Center. http://blogs.extension.org/bioen3/units/unit-3-4/.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Van Liew, M. (moderator). 2010. Water Quality Modeling: Choosing Among Watershed-Scale Models. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/Modeling/Webcasts/2010+Webcasts/April+22.htm
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Van Liew, M. (moderator). 2010. Watershed, In-Stream, and Lake/Reservoir Water Quality Models for Planning and Assessment. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/Modeling/Webcasts/2010+Webcasts/May+6+Webcast.htm.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Van Liew, M. (moderator). 2011. Scaling Models to Meet Resource Management Needs. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/Modeling/Webcasts/2011+webcasts/ScalingModels.htm.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Van Liew, M. (moderator). 2011. Data Input Selection and Resolution and Guidelines for Model Evaluation. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/Modeling/Webcasts/2011+webcasts/Data+Input+Selection.htm.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Van Liew, M. (moderator). 2011. Understanding Parameter, Model, and Measured Data Uncertainty in Watershed Modeling. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/Modeling/Webcasts/2011+webcasts/UnderstandingUNC.htm.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Van Liew, M. (moderator). 2012. Water Quality Calibration of SWAT and APEX http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/Modeling/Webcasts/2012Webcasts/SWAT+and+APEX+Calibration+2012.htm
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Van Liew, M. 2011. Field and Watershed Scale Modeling Webcast. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/Modeling/Webcasts/2011+webcasts/aug+2+2011.htm
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Wortmann, C., (moderator). 2010. Nutrient Management for Highly Productive Systems with a Water Quality Perspective. http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/waterquality/webcasts.htm - archive
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2009
Citation:
Wortmann, C. (moderator). 2009. Cost Effectiveness of Practices for Water Quality Protection. http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/waterquality/webcasts.htm - archive
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Wortmann, C. (moderator). 2010. Climate Change and its Effect on Nutrient Use Efficiency and Water Quality Protection. http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/waterquality/webcasts.htm - archive
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Van Liew, M. and Veith, T.L. 2011. Guidelines for Using the Sensitivity Analysis and Auto-calibration Tools for Multi-gage or Multi-step Calibration in SWAT. Iowa State University Extension. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2008
Citation:
Lally, J., Alwadaey, A., Wortmann, C., Franti, T., Shapiro, C., and Eisenhauer. D. 2008. Heartland Animal Manure Management Newsletter. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/ManureManagement/Newsletter/AA2008/0812AMMnewslet.htm.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2009
Citation:
Lory, J. and Wortmann, C. 2009. Heartland Animal Manure Management Newsletter. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/ManureManagement/Newsletter/2009/aprilnewsletter.htm
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2009
Citation:
DeRouchey, J., Lally, J., and Moody, L. 2009. Heartland Animal Manure Management Newsletter. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/ManureManagement/Newsletter/2009/aug09AMMNews.htm.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Lally, J., DeRouchey, J., and Rector, N. 2012. Heartland Animal Manure Management Newsletter. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/ManureManagement/Newsletter/2012+Newsletters/June+2012.htm
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2009
Citation:
Lally, J., Lory, J., and Rieck-Hinz, A. 2009. Heartland Animal Manure Management Newsletter. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/ManureManagement/Newsletter/2009/Dec2009AMMNews.htm
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2009
Citation:
Lory, J., Chockley, T., Steen, D., Wortmann, C., Zulovich, J., Massey, R., and Rieck-Hinz, A. 2009. Heartland Animal Manure Management Newsletter. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/ManureManagement/Newsletter/2009/aprilnewsletter.htm
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2009
Citation:
Lory, J. and Rieck-Hinz, A. 2009. Heartland Animal Manure Management Newsletter. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/ManureManagement/Newsletter/2009/Dec2009AMMNews.htm
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Comito, J., Wolseth, J., and Morton, L.W. 2013. The States Role in Water Quality: Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners as Risk Brokers and Production Cheerleaders. Human Organization 71(4).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Hu, Z. and Morton, L.W. 2011. U.S. Midwestern Residents Perceptions of Water Quality. Water 3:217-234.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2009
Citation:
Morton, L. W. and Weng, C. 2009. Getting to Better Water Quality Outcomes: The Promise & Challenge of the Citizen Effect. Agriculture and Human Values. 26 (1): 83-94.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Morton, L.W., Hobbs, J. and Arbuckle, J. 2013. Shifts in Farmer Uncertainty Over Time About Sustainable Farming Practices and Modern Farming Reliance on Commercial Fertilizers, Insecticides and Herbicides. Journal Soil & Water Conservation 68(1):1-12.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Morton, L.W. and Olson, K.R. 2013. Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway: Redesign, Reconstruction and Restoration. Journal of Soil & Water Conservation 68 (2).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Olson, K.R. and Morton, L.W. 2013. Restoration of 2011 Flood Damaged Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway. Journal of Soil & Water Conservation Jan/Feb 68(1):13A-18A doi:10.2489/jswc.68.1.13A.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Olson, K.R. and Morton, L.W. 2012. The Effects of 2011 Ohio and Mississippi River Valley Flooding on Cairo, Illinois Area. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 67(2): 42A-46A.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Olson, K.R. and Morton, L.W. 2012. The Impacts of Induced Levee Breaches on Agricultural Lands of the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 67(1):5A-10A.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Hu, Z., Morton, L.W., and Mahler, R. 2011. Bottled Water: Consumers in the U.S. and Their Perceptions of Water Quality. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 8:565-578.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
McGuire, J., Morton, L.W., and Cast, A. 2012. Reconstructing the Good Farmer Identity: Changing Attitudes and Behaviors Through Environmental Performance-based Management. Agriculture & Human Values. June 20. Published online DOI 10.1007/s10460-012-9381-y.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2008
Citation:
Morton, L.W. 2008. The Role of Civic Structure in Achieving Performance-based Watershed Management. Society & Natural Resources, 21(9):751-766.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Van Liew, M.W., Feng, S. and Pathak, T.B. 2013. Assessing Climate Change Impacts on Water Balance, Runoff, and Water Quality at the Field Scale for Four Locations in the Heartland. Trans. of the ASABE. Vol.56(3):883-990.
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Brown, S., Eells, J., and Schielke, A. (ed.) 2010. Heartland: Where Water Matters. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/NR/rdonlyres/DA9D33DC-27DE-4F1D-80AE-74C0C6C520F8/0/10080ISUHRWCIShowcaseReportfinal.pdf
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Comito, J., Wolseth, J., and Morton, L.W. 2011. Water Quality Matters to Us All. Iowa Learning Farms, Iowa State University, Ames, Ia.
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Morton, L.W, and Brown, S., (ed.) 2011. Pathways for Getting to Better Water Quality: The Citizen Effect. Springer, New York. http://www.springerlink.com/content/978-1-4419-7281-1/ - section=821351&page=1
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Morton, L.W. 2011. Resident-led Watershed Management. Iowa State University, University Extension PM 1869. https://store.extension.iastate.edu/
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Quinn, C., Burbach, M., and Morton, L.W. 2011. Analysis of the Community Based Planning Process in Holmes Lake Watershed, Lincoln, Nebraska. Open-file Report OFR-110. School of Natural Resources, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/NR/rdonlyres/10E45CED-D72B-43BB-A471-2DF222BBF00B/0/OFR110.pdf.
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2008
Citation:
Regassa, T., Koelsch, R., Scheideler, S., and Masadeh, M. 2008. Impact of Feeding Distillers Grains on Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning for Poultry Layer Production Systems.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension RP194. http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/pages/
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2008
Citation:
Regassa, T., Koelsch, R., and Erickson, G. 2008. Impact of Feeding Distillers Grain on Nutrient Management Planning for Beef Cattle Systems. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, RP190.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Van Liew, M., Feng, S., and Pathak, T.B. 2012. Climate Change Impacts on Streamflow, Water Quality, and Best Management Practices for the Shell and Logan Creek Watersheds in Nebraska. International Journal Agriculture & Biological Engineering. Vol.5(1):13-34.
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2008
Citation:
Regassa, T., Koelsch, R., and DeRouchey, J. 2008. Impact of Feeding Dry Distillers Grains on Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans for Swine. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, RP191.
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2008
Citation:
Regassa, T., Koelsch, R., and Kononoff, P. 2008. Impact of Feeding Distillers Grains on Nutrient Management Planning on Dairy Farms. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, RP193.
|
Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Heartland cohosted the Agricultural Decision Making with a Water & Climate Change Perspective Regional Conference with NOAA Central Region Climate Services in Nebraska. Attendees included 138 educational, advisory and regulatory personnel from Extension, EPA, NOAA, and other agencies and organizations from 8 states. A primary issue for attendees working with producers and other clients is how they can be more effective. The Nutrient Management (NM) & Animal Manure Management (AMM) teams held a 2nd Conservation Planning course in western Iowa, cohosted with Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)USDA; 21 students from 8 states received classroom instruction and farm field exercises and certificates. The Heartland Watershed Management team taught using watershed topographic maps as part of Missouri Stream Teams Workshop. The Watershed Modeling specialist coordinated a Watershed Modeling Webinar and presented an overview of watershed models at the 9 Element Watershed Management Conference held in October in Missouri; implemented a workshop on Environmental Risk Assessment and Management System in Iowa; presented results from Watershed Modeling Study at the Agricultural Decision Making Conference in Nebraska; coordinated a Watershed Modeling Webinar and presented SWAT/APEX Modeling Workshop in Missouri. The Bioenergy & Water Resource team created an on-line bioenergy curriculum for extension educators and a training session for using the curriculum was attended by educators from the 13 North Central Region Land Grant Universities. The NM & AMM teams P-Index Working Group roundtable held a detailed review of the P-Index with 15 attending. Leading up to the event, the working group held conference calls every 3 to 4 weeks. After in-depth discussion of a regional validation project, the working group is moving forward with a regionally focused CIG grant application for validation of the P-Index. The Animal Manure Workshop held April 24 & 25 in Missouri had 53 attendees. Participants reviewed EPA & state regulatory inclusion of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) rules; many believe working on impaired water courses through a formal watershed structure HUC 8 or smaller is key. The AMM quarterly newsletter was published with articles on EPA Region 7, new 590 standard implications, non-CAFO feeding sites and why everyone needs a nutrient management plan. Heartland team members participated on a panel discussing agriculture and climate change at the University of Missouri Climate Change Conference. Five Heartland team members made presentations at the 2012 National Water Conference in Portland, OR. Three posters were presented (Heartland Update, North Central Bioenergy Curriculum, and Comparison of P-Loss using Iowa P-Index and APEX Models on Field Sites in Iowa). Producer surveys with water, nitrogen and climate questions were sent out by the Human Dimensions team in conjunction with two other NIFA projects and represented 22 HUC 6 watersheds in 9 states. Survey data on ~5000 farmers will provide opportunities to test relationship of crop patterns, climate, and water degradation. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Heartland influences how institutions, individuals and programs in four states conduct their water quality efforts. Primary objectives of Heartland teams are increased communication and networking on regional water issues. The Climate Change Conference provided basic science on climate change, associated water and agriculture studies and current efforts by staff of the Heartland water initiative universities and agencies. The outcome of this conference was that participants obtained more knowledge of the science, predictions, and issues associated with water, agriculture and climate change. One of the key findings from discussions and evaluation was the need for extension and environmental agencies to come up with One Clear Message when speaking to their clientele about climate change. In post-conference evaluation responses, majorities indicated they would share information on basic science (85 percent definitely/some), implications for crop production and management (85percent definitely/some), implications for watershed management and floodwater control (77 percent definitely/some), and mitigation, adaptation and recovery (73percent definitely/some). Participants estimated their audience for information or resources at more than 18,000. Participant comments included: The idea that CC is not so much a projected situation as it is a change (rise) in variability and extremes of climate conditions (an aha moment)., We need to learn more and how it fits our farmers objective. Presentations are available in a downloadable PDF format and selected video clips at http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/Event/climateConf. An exit survey of the spring Animal Manure workshop participants was conducted, and one main theme of the feedback was to encourage the Heartland team to work on ways to continue this regional effort by focusing on solutions to long term water quality improvement by regularly communicating on an interagency basis using small group breakout sessions, focusing on solutions at the farm level, and outreach to include a broader constituency. Comments included: I think that meetings such as these are so beneficial at broadening one's perspective on regional issues and possible solutions. It is great to have discussions with others to gain information about work that is going on in other states and in various sectors.
Publications
- Franti, T., Broz, R., Burkett, E., Dow, R., Jobman, E., and Norrie, C. 2011. Water Resources: Issues and Opportunities in Bioenergy Generation, Module 3 in S. Lezberg and J. Mullins, (ed.), Bioenergy and Sustainability Course. On-line Curriculum. Bioenergy Training Center. December. http://fyi.uwex.edu/biotrainingcenter/.
- Franti, T. and Jobman, E. 2011. Water Resources: Issues and Opportunities in Bioenergy Generation, Unit 3.3, Water Use in Bioenergy Production, in Module 3. On-line Curriculum. Bioenergy Training Center. December, 13 pp. http://blogs.extension.org/bioen3/units/unit-3-3/.
- Comito, J., Wolseth, J., and Morton, L.W. 2012. The States Role in Water Quality. Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners as Risk Brokers and Production Cheerleaders, Human Organization, 71(4).
- Dow, R., Franti, T., Burkett, E., and Broz, R. 2011. Water Resources: Issues and Opportunities in Bioenergy Generation, Unit 3.1, Introduction, in Module 3. On-line Curriculum. Bioenergy Training Center. December, 16 pp. http://blogs.extension.org/bioen3/units/unit-3-1/.
- Dow, R., Franti, T., Burkett, E., Broz, R., Jobman, E., and Norrie, C. 2011. Water Resources: Issues and Opportunities in Bioenergy Generation, Unit 3.2, Watershed Level Impacts, in Module 3. On-line Curriculum. Bioenergy Training Center. December, 16 pp. http://blogs.extension.org/bioen3/units/unit-3-2/.
- McGuire, J., Morton, L.W., and Cast, A. 2012. Reconstructing the Good Farmer Identity: Changing Attitudes and Behaviors through Environmental Performance-based Management. Agriculture & Human Values, June 20, published online.
- Olson, K.R. and Morton, L.W. 2012. The Effects of 2011 Ohio and Mississippi River Valley Flooding on Cairo, Illinois Area. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 67(2):42A-46A.
- Olson, K.R. and Morton, L.W. 2012. The Impacts of Induced Levee Breaches on Agricultural Lands of the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 67(1):5A-10A.
- Olson, K.R., Reed, M., and Morton, L.W. 2011. Multifunctional Mississippi River Leveed Bottomlands and Settling Basins: Sny Island Levee Drainage District. Journal of Soil & Water Conservation, July/August, Vol.66:4:90A-96A.
- Van Liew, M.W., Feng, S., and Pathak, T.B. 2012. Climate Change Impacts on Streamflow, Water Quality, and Best Management Practices for the Shell and Logan Creek Watersheds in Nebraska. Int J. Agric.& Biol Eng. Vol.5(1):13-34.
- Franti, T. and Norrie, C. 2011. Water Resources: Issues and Opportunities in Bioenergy Generation, Unit 3.4, Policy Options and Implications, in Module 3. On-line Curriculum. Bioenergy Training Center. December, 13 pp. http://blogs.extension.org/bioen3/units/unit-3-4/.
- Hu, Z., Morton, L.W., and Mahler, R. (2011). Bottled Water: Consumers in the U.S. and Their Perceptions of Water Quality, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8:565-578.
- Hu, Z. and Morton, L.W. (2011). US Midwestern Residents Perceptions of Water Quality, Water, 3:217-234.
- Hu, Z. and Morton, L.W. 2012. Don't Know Responses in Water Quality Surveys. In Water Quality, K. Voudouris (ed). Vol 1, ISBN 979-953-307-638-5.
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Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The 2008 Heartland Initiative integrates previous regional activities with additional priority water resource issues. Two new PIs joined the leadership and new advisory committees were established for the Animal Manure Management (AMM), Bioenergy and Water Resources (BWR), Watershed Management Education (WM) and Human Dimension (HD) issues. The Nutrient Management (NM) and BWR teams jointly sponsored a March research roundtable on "Cost Effectiveness of BMPs and Conversion of CRP to Crop Production." Thirty scientists discussed current research and identified collaborative research and extension opportunities. Writing teams are preparing regional extension circulars on these topics. A follow-up workshop for extension and agency specialists was held in June and webcasts are planned to make the information available to a larger audience. The AMM team's July forum on livestock environmental issues targeted the legislative community. Twenty five state legislators participated in a discussion of current and future livestock issues that require action by state regulatory agencies, legislatures, or both, and shared potential responses to those issues. The NM plan working group developed a case study and accompanying white paper demonstrating a general permit for a hog farm. These were presented by the Region 7 CAFO specialist to the national EPA as an example of the narrative planning process. The AMM team produced three issues of an online newsletter and both AMM and NM participated in nutrient management training events in Nebraska and Iowa which contacted over 400 crop and livestock producers and advisors. The WM team's "Education Exchange" in May focused on capacity building for environmental education at undergraduate and minority institutions. Participants, including faculty and teaching staff of 1860, 1890 and 1994 Land Grant Universities, shared water-related curricula and best education practices, identified collaborative opportunities and outlined curriculum modules needed to strengthen watershed education in their institutions. A book, "The Citizen Effect: Pathways for Getting to Better Water Quality Outcomes," was submitted to Penn State Press. It includes contributions by social scientists from 10 universities in 8 states. In May these authors and others attended a Social Science Roundtable funded collaboratively by the NM and HD teams. Participants shared their current social, political and economic research related to citizen participation in water issues and proposed multi-regional collaborative research. HD also undertook a national analysis of the regional surveys conducted by the National Water Program; published a research report on surveys of regional watersheds; and conducted a research study of citizen performance-based watershed management. Heartland teams contributed eleven posters, presentations and panels to the 2009 National Water Conference. Another 12 publications and reports appearing during the year resulted from work in a previous Heartland project IOW05009 and were reported to CRIS in January of 2009. Heartland products, reports and archived workshop materials are accessible through the regional website. PARTICIPANTS: The Heartland Initiative is lead by extension/research faculty, including the Extension Water Quality Coordinators, of the region's land grant institutions - Iowa State University, Kansas State University, the University of Missouri, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln - departments of agronomy, agricultural engineering, economics, forestry and sociology. The Heartland leadership team also includes a representative of the U.S. EPA Region 7 Water, Wetlands and Pesticides Division. The overall goal of the Heartland Initiative is to build institutional partnerships and increase the capacity of citizens, landowners, agencies and community leaders to better address water quality concerns. Therefore, Heartland activities are implemented by regional "issue teams" made up of technical, regulatory and research specialists from state departments of agriculture and natural resources, NRCS, EPA R7 and Heartland universities. To date more than 250 people, half of whom are associated with land grant universities, have contributed their time and expertise to the planning, management and implementation of Heartland roundtables and workshops, and as authors of regional publications and newsletters. Successful multi-state water research and extension projects have grown from partnerships developed by each of the teams. A Regional Stakeholder Advisory Committee is made up of representatives of the Iowa Farm Bureau, the EPA Region 7 Associate Ag Advisor, Director of the Nebraska Water Center, Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The Advisory Committee provides advice and support on strengthening the Heartland Regional Initiative, shares perspectives on emerging water issues, helps build new partnerships and collaborations, and helps the Heartland Regional Leadership Team communicate its goals and progress. TARGET AUDIENCES: Multiple audiences are targeted for capacity building by Heartland issue teams, including members of land grant research and extension programs, technical and regulatory agencies, non-governmental organizations, advisors to the crop and livestock industry, and citizen watershed leaders. In 2009 the Animal Manure Management team also began to sponsor events for state legislators. Heartland Regional Initiative-sponsored roundtables, workshops and conferences are generally by invitation. Issue teams focus on building communication and personal networks among a limited group of "multipliers" - researchers, educators and agency leaders who can move regional initiatives forward. Heartland issue teams have also partnered with agencies and university programs to conduct training for field specialists and technical assistance providers. Some Heartland regional activities focus specifically on capacity building for university extension educators, including 1890 and 1994 universities, to take an expanded role in water quality and other natural resources outreach and education. Since 2004 Heartland events have involved over 800 participants. Focus group studies document Heartland Initiative impacts on institutional capacity. Partners recognize Heartland as a facilitator of regional networks and partnerships as well as a source of research-based knowledge. Further, environmental agency staff and researchers report greater awareness of related work in other organizations and states, and are more likely to seek out land grant resources. Participants report that Heartland has given them increased access to EPA staff and programs. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Heartland is building a national network of social scientists working in water issues. Researchers who attended the roundtable and authored book chapters represent universities in four Regional Water Coordination programs. They are now using a shared wiki to develop a multi-regional proposal. HD has also leveraged research collaborations and student support with Nebraska DEQ and University of Nebraska-Lincoln to survey urban and rural watersheds; with the National Water Program to conduct follow-up regional surveys; and with Iowa DNR to evaluate the state revolving fund for water protection. Over $700,000 in grants for conservation and watershed projects in Iowa and Kansas were leveraged from Heartland work. A Kansas Forest Service project based on NM workshop discussions will support a KSU graduate student. UNL staff have adapted the Iowa stream assessment program on equipment for loan to agency and Extension personnel. By 2010, NE CAFO nutrient plans will evaluate about 1,000,000 acres using a P Index revised in response to a Heartland study. The AMM NMP working group's white paper "Incorporating the Narrative Approach into the General Permit" and example NPDES NMP included terms drawn from the Missouri Technical Standard and was drafted with regionally-developed software. EPA acceptance of the case study essentially documents national approval for an entire planning process as envisioned and brought forward by Heartland partners. AMM is also building a regional network of legislators with interest in livestock environmental issues. After the July forum AMM leaders made invited presentations to the Midwestern Legislative Conference. A 2009 evaluation of AMM and NM participants since 2004 shows the effectiveness of their sustained effort to promote regional communication. Interviewees made strong statements about the benefit of working on a regional basis that overlapped with EPA R7. Typical statements are, "I have found collaboration between the four states to be the main benefit, to have all of the folks in the same room," and Heartland events have "helped us put out a consistent message to producers that are affected by EPA Region 7 (regulations)." Respondents particularly wanted to continue the benefits they received from AMM events and resources. The complete report is available on the Heartland website. In a survey following the WM Education Exchange, participants said they had learned ways to incorporate watershed management into their existing courses, the session would help them recruit students to environmental programs, and that they valued an opportunity to learn from each other. Exit surveys from the NM/BWR roundtable and workshop found that new information would preferentially be communicated to extension and resource management specialists. Attendees with regulatory responsibilities were most likely to say they usually lacked opportunities to discuss these resource issues with their colleagues, as compared to those who worked in research and extension. This finding continues to support previous value Heartland clients have expressed for focused discussion groups and networking opportunities created by targeted regional events.
Publications
- Regassa,T.H., Koelsch, R.K., Wortmann, C.S., Randle, R.F., Abunyewa, A.A. 2008. Antibiotic Use in Animal Production: Environmental Concerns. Heartland Water Quality Bulletin, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension 196. http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/rp196/build/rp196.pdf.
- Morton, L.W., Weng, C.Y. 2009. Getting to Better Water Quality Outcomes: The Promise & Challenge of the Citizen Effect. Agriculture and Human Values. In special issue on Civic Engagement and Alternative Rural Development, 26 (1): 83-94.
- Lally, J., Alwadaey, A., Wortmann, C., Franti, T., Shapiro, C., Eisenhauer, D. 2008. Heartland Animal Manure Management Newsletter. Online. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/ManureManagement/Newsletter/AA2008 /0812AMMnewslet.htm.
- Lory, J., Chockley, T., Steen, D., Wortmann, C., Zulovich, J., Massey, R., Rieck-Hinz, A. 2009. Heartland Animal Manure Management Newsletter. Online. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/ManureManagement/Newsletter/2009/a prilnewsletter.htm.
- DeRouchey, J., Lally, J., Moody, L. 2009. Heartland Animal Manure Management Newsletter. Online. http://www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/ManureManagement/Newsletter/2009/a ug09AMMNews.htm.
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