Scientists from Twelve Land-Grant Universities Forge Partnership with Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Hypoxia Task Force
By Nassau News Live30 June 2014
Scientists from land-grant universities in 12 central U.S. states have entered into a partnership with the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Hypoxia Task Force to support state and national efforts to reduce water pollution and help to maintain the productivity and vitality of American agriculture. The participating land-grant universities include: the University of Arkansas, University of Illinois, Iowa State University, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, University of Minnesota,Mississippi State University, University of Missouri, Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of Tennessee, and the University of Wisconsin.
“This collaboration between land-grant universities and the Task Force will continue to promote effective implementation of science-based approaches to nutrient management. Our efforts will help farmers reduce nutrient losses to the environment,” said Wes Burger, Mississippi State UniversityAgricultural Experiment Station Associate Director and Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management. “Nutrient management is imperative for sustainable agricultural activity and environmental quality.”
Run-off from non-point sources is a primary contributor of excess nutrients that impair freshwater bodies and cause hypoxia, or low oxygen levels, in the northern Gulf of Mexico. While land-grant scientists and extension educators have been helping farmers, ranchers, state and federal agencies, and others with nutrient management practices and policies within their respective states for decades, a partnership with the Task Force will help scientists share their knowledge about emerging technologies and research developments across state lines.
“We need clean water. We need the food, fiber and fuel produced on our farms. Land-grant universities, with our extension and research resources, can help farmers, state and federal agencies, and others keep local water safe, reduce the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico, and keep our farms working. Our agreement with the Hypoxia Task Force promises to make land-grant research and outreach programs in this arena even more productive,” said Rebecca Power, the Director of the North Central Region Water Network and Water Outreach Program Manager of the University of Wisconsin.
Nearly 80% of all U.S. corn and soybeans as well as a large percentage of U.S. pork are produced in the Mississippi River basin states. However, nutrient pollution costs Americans billions of dollars each year. Land-grant universities are committed to working with the Task Force and other partners towards cleaner water and a healthy agricultural economy for future generations.
About Agriculture is America
Agriculture is America. In short, the agriculture industry — sustained in large part by the American land-grant university system through both Agricultural Experiment Stations and Cooperative Extension — is integral to jobs, national security, and health.