Moving Africa from Rain-Fed to Irrigated Farming

Jamie Johansen

Now founder and CEO of KickStart International, Martin Fisher, at first wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do with his life. A Fullbright scholarship took him to Africa for a year to look for the potential use of technology and engineering in development. That one year turned in to 17 years in Kenya. Martin presented his case study at …

Ag Groups, Audio, Food, Irrigation, Technology, Water, Water for Food

Expanding Africa’s Access to Ag Technology

Lizzy Schultz

Another session at the 2017 Water for Food Global Conference was “Upscaling Solutions: Expanding access to irrigation for smallholders in sub­-Saharan Africa.” This session explored how public and private sector investors can support smallholder-irrigated agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve greater yield gains and improve livelihoods. The presentation included a whitepaper synthesis of case studies relevant to this topic. One …

Audio, International, Technology, Water, Water for Food

2017 #Water4Food is a Wrap

Cindy Zimmerman

Based on the theme that global breakthroughs come from local action, the 2017 Water for Food Global Conference was successful in bringing that perspective to water and food security issues. “Agriculture and water wherever you are in your locality, it’s going to be different,” said Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute executive director Peter McCornick. “But many of the factors …

Audio, International, Irrigation, Water, Water for Food

Water Plays Role in Food Security Initiatives

Lizzy Schultz

One of the plenary speakers at the 2017 Water for Food Conference was Robert Bertram, Chief Scientist, Bureau for Food Security, U.S. Agency for International Development. Bertram has served as a key adviser on a range of technical and programmatic issues to advance global food security and nutrition. He leads U.S. Agency for International Development’s evidence-based efforts to advance research, …

Ag Groups, Audio, Water, Water for Food

A Champion of Water for Food Recognized

Jamie Johansen

As a world leader in agriculture innovation and development, Jeff Raikes, Co-founder Raikes Foundation & Daughterly Water for Food Board Chair, was a guiding source throughout the formation of the institute. He is said to be the inspiration for this conference when it comes to the concept of local solutions to global challenges. Jeff is stepping down from the board, …

Ag Groups, Audio, Water, Water for Food

Water for Food Focus on Sub-Saharan Africa

Cindy Zimmerman

More than 400 world experts working to develop new approaches to producing more food with less stress on water resources are in Lincoln, Nebraska this week for the 2017 Water for Food Global Institute at Nebraska Innovation Campus. A big focus of the event this year is finding ways to increase access to sustainable irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa with a …

Audio, Food, International, Irrigation, Video, Water, Water for Food

Water for Food Welcomes Experts to Share Ideas

Cindy Zimmerman

A record 100 speakers and global experts will be gathering together next month to help find solutions to the world’s pressing water and food security needs at the 2017 Water for Food Global Conference April 10-12 at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska. Researchers, practitioners, policymakers, farmers, faculty, students, thought leaders and industry experts will explore “Water for Food Security: …

Audio, Water, Water for Food

POTUS Ditches WOTUS

Cindy Zimmerman

The president of the American Farm Bureau Federation had the privilege of being with the President of the United States Tuesday as he signed an executive order directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to formally reconsider the controversial Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, rule under the Clean Water Act. “President Trump’s executive order to ditch the Waters of …

AFBF, Audio, EPA, Water

Make Plans for 2017 Water for Food Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

Mark your calendars for the 2017 Water for Food Global Conference April 10-12 at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska. The theme of the conference this year is “Water for Food Security: From Local Lessons to Global Impacts” and is based on the premise that global breakthroughs come from local action. It will feature plenary and parallel sessions to explore …

Events, Water

Senate Resolution Against WOTUS Introduced

Kelly Marshall

U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) have introduced a resolution to vacate the “Waters of the United States” rule– a resolution that signifies their intent to roll back the rule once President-elect Trump takes office. The resolution makes clear that the Clean Water Act (CWA) is vital to protecting American resources, but WOTUS takes it too far. …

Water