In May, the Nebraska Water Center hosted a one-day water tour as part of the 2025 Water for Food Global Conference. This tour invited local participants and international visitors to experience water management in eastern Nebraska and learn about the state’s Natural Resources Districts, the Nebraska Extension program, and local farming operations.
The tour kicked off by visiting two farm operations in eastern Nebraska. One operation showcased subsurface drip irrigation and discussed different methods of irrigation and water management in eastern Nebraska based on aquifer availabity. The second operation was a participant in UNL’s Highboy Cover Crop Interseeding Project, which demonstrates the effectiveness of broadcast interseeding cover crops before harvesting corn. These operations gave local and international attendees insight into the unique water management required in eastern Nebraska.
The one-day water tour also visited Lake Wanahoo where participants learned about Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts, watershed management, and water quality monitoring from the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District team.
Finally, the tour stopped at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension, and Education Center (ENREEC) to get an overview of their current projects. Attendees were able to get in the field and experience ENREEC’s work in using technology for crop phenotyping, monitoring the exchange of gases between crops and the environment, and nitrogen management.
