DWFI Podcast 47 – Crafting Compelling Science Communication
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.
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DWFI podcast episode 47 37:00
The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska was founded with the mission to have a lasting and significant impact on achieving more food security with less pressure on scarce water resources by conducting scientific and policy research, using the research results to inform policy makers, and sharing knowledge through education and communication.
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AgGateway Board Member from Brazil in Action
This year’s AgGateway Annual Meeting was a first for Marcelo Abreu of Venturus and he was pleased to be honored for his work for the organization in Brazil with the AgGateway in Action award for the Latin America Region.
“It was a surprise. I really didn’t know that I was going to be nominated,” said Abreu, who also was nominated this year to serve on the AgGateway Board of Directors.
Abreu also provided a presentation at the annual meeting on emerging technologies in agriculture from a Brazilian perspective.
“We do have a lot of projects related with data and related with artificial intelligence. I think that these are the most important projects that we do for the agribusiness in Brazil,” he said. “We are having nowadays a very good discussion about regulation of artificial intelligence that can impact a lot of areas including agribusiness and also we do have our old problem of connectivity in the farms, only one-third of the areas in Brazil have connectivity of 4G and 5G. So we do have a lot of challenges, but we also have have a lot of opportunities to make the digital agriculture to grow and to be more successful in Brazil too.”
Interview with Marcelo Abreu, Venturus – AgGateway Global Board Of Directors member from Brazil
AgGateway Global board member Marcelo Abreu, Venturur (5:55)
My Last MOJO
Yes. MOJO. Mobile Journalism Kit, whatever. I’ve had multiple ones over the years. This picture is the one I’ve been traveling with for many years of late. I’ve actually worn one of them out and replaced it by Think Tank Photo. But before then I had a larger one for two camera bodies and multiple lens. That was back in the days of shooting pics at INDYCAR and NASCAR races. I’ve shared lists of all my gear several times. But, I’m not going to do a comprehensive one now, but you can see a few key items that I’ve focused on in the last years.
First is my Nikon Zf mirrorless camera body with a Nikkor Z 24-200 lens. It’s my 2nd mirrorless camera and I keep learning more. I’ve got a Nikon Speedlight SB-700 and a Peak Design sliding strap. Then there is the Golden ZimmComm Microphone (Heil PR-20 – yes, it’s gold) and Zoom H4n Pro recorder. I use an old Sony PCM-M10 recorder only to record from sound mixers and mult boxes like general sessions, etc. They don’t make them anymore! I can’t leave out my iPhone 15 Pro because it shoots incredible photos and movies. And I can’t do anything without my MacBook Pro 14-inch. Oh, and of course, multiple adapters, battery chargers and cords and memory cards
Of course there are the ZimmComm Golden Mic Club membership cards!!
Here’s what my MOJO looked like in 2010.
So, my work at the AgGateway Annual Conference this month was my last one of the year and as we’ve announced, we will not be continuing this on-site work again. I can’t thank enough all the clients we’ve worked with in all kinds of venues, states and countries. I’ve made great friends and I couldn’t have learned what I have without so many people.
AgGateway Honors Member Volunteers
Trisha Rentschler and AgGateway’s Jeremy Wilson
The AgGateway in Action Award celebrates individuals and organizations that have made specific contributions of time and resources over the past 12-18 months. The North American recipient for 2025 is Trisha Rentschler, with Kahler Automation.
“Trisha exemplifies what we celebrate through the AgGateway in Action Award, says Jeremy Wilson, EVP/COO and North American Director. “She joined the North American Steering Committee two years ago and has been a very active volunteer from the beginning. And in her new role at Kahler, Trisha has gone out of her way to talk about the value of AgGateway and the messages and the digital resources that we’ve created in her networking and social media activity.”
Marcelo Abreu and Jose Alexandre Loyola, LATAM Regional Director
“Marcelo has been a member of AgGateway Latin America since beginning, contributes greatly to our regional meetings, and actively promotes our mission and work in the country,” says Jose Alexandre Loyola, LATAM Regional Director. “He and his company are also actively promoting the Modus standard in Brazil. We are thrilled to have his participation and pleased to recognize him with this honor.”
Julie Mathey
“Julie has been a long-time volunteer member dating back to our earliest work within the Ag Retail group and on Seed Connectivity,” says Wilson. She’s been active in leadership roles throughout her time at AgGateway, including service as Chair of the North American Steering Committee in 2025.
AGDATA and CEO Brent Kemp
The 2025 recipient, AGDATA, has been a member since the origination of AgGateway, and has been a strong supporter throughout its participation. “Earlier this year, AGDATA offered to sponsor and host an in-person End-User ID working event that drew 60 participants and provided an excellent atmosphere for building consensus,” says Kemp. “Within the last year, we really wanted to recognize their consistent and notable support of AgGateway and its resources.
Jami Young
The 2025 recipient, Jami Young of Land O’Lakes, is “really everything that we would want to see in a volunteer,” says Kemp. “Jami is super engaged and very committed to the work that she’s doing within the organization. She’s also not afraid to share her thoughts and opinions, but always in a constructive way that honors everyone else’s view in the room. I’m pleased and proud to be recognizing Jamie with the Ron Farrell Attitude Award this year and look forward to her continued contributions.”
Animal Ag News 11/17
Precision Ag News 11/13
Acquisition Unites Farm Accounting Software Leaders
Two leaders in farm accounting software are being united under an acquisition announced today.
Traction Ag, the leading farm accounting platform built for production row crop operations, today announced the acquisition of PcMars, a trusted desktop-based accounting system used by over 7,000 farms across the U.S.
“PcMars has been a rock-solid product for farm bookkeepers for decades,” said Dustin Sapp, CEO of Traction Ag. “We’re honored to carry that legacy forward—and excited to give their customers a clear, supported path into the future.”
The acquisition allows Traction Ag to:
– Expand its reach among Midwest production farms who trust PcMars and prefer desktop software
– Implement proven PcMars features in Traction’s platform to accelerate innovation
– Offer connected pathways between PcMars and Traction for users ready to modernize
– Combine decades of ag accounting expertise under one roof
Learn more at www.tractionag.com.
Land O’Lakes and Microsoft Partner for AI Innovation in Agriculture
Land O’Lakes Inc. and Microsoft today announced a multiyear strategic alliance, marking a new chapter in their shared commitment to agricultural innovation. Building on five years of successful collaboration, the alliance will focus on co-developing AI-powered tools including a digital assistant called “Oz.” This assistant is built on models within Azure AI Foundry and uses Land O’Lakes agricultural data to help farmers make informed decisions that aim to optimize operations, maximize yield potentials and mitigate risk.
U.S. farms are vital to the nation’s food supply but rising production costs, falling crop prices, and declining farmable land are squeezing margins across operations of all sizes. Technologies that improve efficiency and resiliency can help farmers manage costs and stabilize their operations, safeguarding the future of agriculture.
“Land O’Lakes has supported American agriculture for more than 100 years, and the AI-powered technologies we’re building with Microsoft will be key to the next 100,” said Teddy Bekele, SVP and Chief Technology Officer, Land O’Lakes. “The goal of our alliance is to deliver data-driven recommendations and solutions that lead to the best outcomes for farmers, who keep food on all of our tables.”
“The agriculture industry continues to face unprecedented pressure—from rising costs to shrinking margins—and AI innovation plays an important role in addressing these challenges,” said Judson Althoff, CEO of Microsoft’s commercial business. “By combining Land O’Lakes’ century of expertise with Microsoft’s cloud and AI capabilities, we are delivering a copilot solution that empowers farmers with actionable insights that help control costs, boost crop yields, and drive long-term success.”
Alltech ONE Conference 2027
With so much positive momentum for our industry, we’re excited to share that there’s even more ahead: the Alltech ONE Conference is coming back to Lexington, Kentucky, May 24–26, 2027. The theme: Together, bright becomes brilliant.
Originally planned for 2026, we have decided to move the event to 2027 to align with major milestones across our business and the broader agri-food industry. It will be worth the wait!
This world-class event will spotlight the power of connection, collaboration and bold thinking to address agriculture’s most significant challenges and unlock its greatest opportunities.
Whether you are returning to ONE or joining us for the first time, the Alltech ONE Conference promises to inspire, challenge and connect. We look forward to welcoming you in 2027.
The Best,
The Alltech Events team