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PODCAST

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute

Welcome to the Daugherty Water for Food Podcast! Since 2010, the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska has worked toward one goal: a food and water secure world — one in which global food security is ensured without compromising the use of water to meet other essential human and environmental needs. It"s a daunting vision, but one that is vitally important. This podcast amplifies the voices of those making waves in this space.

science earth sciences

All Episodes

33:33

56 - Water, Climate and Health

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2026/09/21

In this episode of the Water for Food Podcast, Taylor Dahl talks with Dr. Jesse Bell about his recent trips to Mongolia for COP17 and Sweden for World Water Week. They explore how drought, water resilience and human health are connected, and why communities need to move from reacting to drought to planning and preparing for its impacts. Jesse also shares insights on global collaboration, capacity building and knowledge sharing, while reflecting on how lessons from around the world can strengthen

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25:25

55 - Food security and national security: Protecting...

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2026/08/21

Food and agriculture are more connected to national security than most people realize. In this episode, host Frances Hayes sits down with Meghan Jackson, Director for Food, Agriculture and Environment Security at the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska. They discuss how we can protect the nation's crops, livestock and water systems from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. Meghan shares lessons from her background at high-security

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14:42

54 - Decoding water quality at the Water Sciences Lab

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2026/07/26

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the Water Sciences Laboratory at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Host Frances Hayes sits down with Research Lab Manager Jennah Duncan to explore the vital work of monitoring our water resources. From the advanced technology of mass spectrometry and isotopic analysis to the real-world impact of agricultural management, we discuss how lab data informs critical water quality decisions. Jennah also breaks down the complexities of emerging contaminants

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26:29

53 - Validating the future of carbon markets

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2026/06/29

Five years ago, DWFI was tapped by the U.S. Department of Energy to tackle a critical challenge: scientifically validating carbon sequestration in Midwest corn and soybean production. With this $3 million project now in its final 120-day closeout phase, DWFI Director of Research Christopher Neale discusses this initiative at the intersection of energy, agriculture and policy. He shares insights into how the team translated rigorous field-level measurements into tools that bring credibility to carbon

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20:59

52 - Executive Director Joe Sanders on global...

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2026/04/28

Joe Sanders, the new executive director of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska, brings more than 27 years of experience in international agricultural development to his role. In this episode, hosted by Arianna Elnes, he reflects on his career path—from serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia to leading USAID-funded projects across Africa, Asia and Latin America—and shares how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership, problem-solving and

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32:26

51 - Locally Led Strategies for Protecting...

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2026/03/10

When it comes to groundwater management, California was the wild west not long ago, with unrestricted pumping depleting many aquifers. But that changed in 2014 with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which created about 350 Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) responsible for management of more than 140 of the state's basins. Using a framework of local control, GSAs work to sustain groundwater resources for growers, industries, residents and ecosystems. In this episode, guest

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18:49

50 - Nebraska Master Irrigator

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2026/02/18

In this episode, host Frances Hayes dives into the Nebraska Master Irrigator Program, a new approach to advanced water stewardship. Joining Frances is Crystal Powers, DWFI Water and Cropping Systems Extension Educator and a co-collaborator on the new initiative. Through the Nebraska Master Irrigator Program, organizers invite participants to dig deeper and "talk shop" about the critical issues facing agricultural producers in Nebraska and throughout the U.S. The podcast discussion focuses on how

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27:09

49 - Irrigation as a Service: A New Paradigm

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2026/01/11

Episode 49 - Irrigation as a Service: A New Paradigm In our first episode of 2026, host Frances Hayes discusses a unique approach to supporting access to irrigation for smallholder farmers with Erin Anders, Senior Program Manager at the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute. Farmers of all sizes in all parts of the world need access to water, inputs and financing to grow food. Irrigation as a Service (IaaS) is an emerging business model to expand irrigation access, especially to

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37:47

48 - A decade of leading the Daugherty Water for Food...

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2025/12/11

In this special episode, host Frances Hayes sits down with Peter McCornick, Executive Director of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, as he concludes nearly a decade of leadership. This deep-dive conversation covers Peter's distinguished career, from his early life on a farm in Scotland and pivotal international work in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, to what drew him to lead the Institute in Nebraska. They discuss DWFI's greatest strategic achievements, the lasting impact of its

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37:01

47 - Crafting Compelling Science Communication

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2025/11/20

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

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26:32

46 - Know Your Well: engaging Nebraska youth on...

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2025/10/27

In this episode, we explore 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 with the tools, training, and confidence to test domestic wells in their communities. Through hands-on learning, students gain a deeper understanding of

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28:05

45 - Unexpected Connections: From Chance Encounters...

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2025/08/28

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 Relief Services and Treaven Scheideler, a University of Nebraska student, discuss

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50:42

44 - The Vadose Zone - A critical indicator for...

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2025/07/30

Episode 44 - The Vadose Zone - A critical indicator for Nebraska groundwater quality 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 studies Nebraska’s vadose zone and monitors the

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41:24

43 - Irrigation and Global Health with Claudia Ringler

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2025/06/27

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 irrigation can improve health outcomes while also addressing potential unintended negative impacts and how to avoid

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06:54

42 - 15th Anniversary of the Daugherty Water for Food...

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2025/03/31

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. 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, April 28-May 2. Learn more at waterforfood.nebraska.edu.

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17:35

41 - Nebraska’s new nitrogen recommendations on...

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2025/02/28

After years of dedicated work from many people and sectors, UNL has released new recommendations for nitrogen fertilization of irrigated corn. In this episode, Nebraska Water Extension Educator, Crystal Powers, talks to UNL professor of agronomy, Richard Ferguson, who has been involved in the project from the start.

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29:10

40 - Irrigation’s role in agricultural productivity

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2025/01/08

In the 40th episode of the Water for Food Podcast, DWFI Director of Communications and Public Relations Frances Hayes sits down with Darren Siekman at the Valmont Industries headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Darren is the Vice President of Policy and Industry Strategy at Valley Agriculture, a Valmont Company. The two discuss Valmont's history and global presence and the importance of center pivot irrigation in agricultural productivity, as well as current challenges and future innovations in

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21:00

39 - Navigating Climate Change in Nebraska

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2024/11/27

Navigating climate change: impacts on water stress and agricultural production in Nebraska Nebraska, located in the U.S. “Corn Belt,” is well known for its agricultural and livestock production, generating around $31.1 billion in agricultural cash receipts in 2023. But how will climate change impact long-term agricultural production, and how can we adapt to changes to ensure water security and food supply for future generations? In this episode, DWFI Communications Specialist Arianna Elnes talks

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23:55

38 - Irrigation expansion’s varying impacts on nutrition

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2024/10/07

Episode 38 - Irrigation expansion’s varying impacts on nutrition Irrigation expansion can provide the water necessary to increase food production for our growing world. It can also be a means for moving farmers from simply producing enough food for their families to generating more income through domestic markets or export of additional production. However, increasing use of irrigation can have varying impacts on the nutrition of the local communities and it’s important to consider these costs and

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29:00

37 - Opportunities of Irrigation and Mechanization

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast ·

2024/07/23

ILIMS Deputy Director Jude Cobbing - Opportunities of Irrigation and Mechanization In November 2023, the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute announced a new USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Irrigation and Mechanization Systems (ILIMS). ILIMS enhances global food security by generating research-based solutions to support the growth of vibrant irrigation and mechanization markets; develops strong institutions and local capacity for their sustainability; and fosters opportunities for

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