This episode of the Water for Food Podcast explores 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 …
MyLand and Texas A&M Expand Soil Health Research
Soil health innovator MyLand and Texas A&M AgriLife Research are expanding their collaboration designed to accelerate the adoption of sustainable soil practices across Texas and beyond. The new phase will focus research in Texas on microalgae’s impact on nutrient density, water efficiency, citrus greening, and sustainable farming practices This milestone builds on the success of the collaboration, which began in …
DWFI Podcast 45 – From Chance Encounters to Global Impact
This episode of the Water for Food Podcast explores the valuable collaborations that can arise from in-person interactions, even in a digital age. Host 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 …
DWFI Executive Director to Stay Through 2025
Peter McCornick will extend his tenure as executive director of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska through the end of this year to ensure a smooth transition with the incoming executive director. McCornick was originally scheduled to step down in August 2025 but will remain in his leadership position until the end of 2025. …
DWFI Podcast 44 – The Vadose Zone
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 …
DWFI Podcast 43 – Irrigation and Global Health
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 …
MyLand Launches Water Conservation Initiative in Arizona
Soil health innovator MyLand has announced the launch of a major initiative to help Arizona farmers conserve water and improve soil performance. The initiative in collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU) will bring MyLand’s soil health technology to up to 2,400 acres of farmland across the state. Funded through a $3 million allocation from the Arizona Water Conservation Grant Fund …
DWFI Executive Director to Retire
The University of Nebraska has initiated a global search for the next Executive Director of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI). After nearly a decade leading DWFI, Peter McCornick announced he will step down as executive director in August 2025 with plans to transition to a full-time faculty role in UNL’s Department of Biological Systems Engineering. Established in …
DWFI Podcast 42 – 15th Anniversary of DWFI
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. You can 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, …
Zeldin Says EPA Will Revise WOTUS Rule
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin promised Wednesday that the definition of “Waters of the United States” will be revised “once and for all.” “The previous Administration’s definition of ‘waters of the United States’ placed unfair burdens on the American people and drove up the cost of doing business,” said Zeldin during a press event Wednesday morning. “Given the …