The document discusses the collaboration between the Hypoxia Task Force (HTF) and land-grant universities (LGUs) to address nutrient management in the Mississippi and Ohio River basins. It outlines the goals of establishing relationships, strengthening the knowledge base, and improving outreach to farmers. A formal cooperative agreement between HTF and LGUs was established in 2014 to leverage their combined resources and expertise to reduce nutrient losses from agriculture.

1. Rebecca Power
Interim Director, North Central Region Water Network
University of Wisconsin‐Extension

2.  Reduce nutrient losses to crops
 Reduce negative impacts of nutrients on surface water,
groundwater, and the people and ecosystems that
depend on water resources
 Maintain effective communication and collaboration
among diverse and necessary partners in the complex
task of managing N and P in the Mississippi and Ohio
River basins

3.  Strengthen a growing coalition
of groups working to improve
nutrient management at local,
state, and basin scales
 Couple resources of HTF and
member agencies with the
knowledge generation and
education/engagement
expertise of LGUs and extension
 Land‐grant universities created
to provide “liberal and practical
education”

6. <Fall
2012
Universities involved to varying
degrees in state nutrient strategies
Fall 2012
HTF meeting: idea of broader HTF‐
LGU collaboration initiated
Spring
2013
HTF‐LGU collaboration articulated
in white paper
Summer
2013
Non‐funded Cooperative Agreement
crafted

7. Fall
2013
Coordination needs identified
Winter
2014
Initiation of Extension and Research
Activities Committee (SERA)
Spring
2014
HTF‐LGU Cooperative Agreement
signed and executed
Spring
2014
HTF initiates response to SERA
goals/objectives

8.  Formal USDA‐NIFA structure designed to promote
multistate research and extension activities
 Bring together researchers and extension educators
around a common problem, issue, or disciplinary
interest
 Approved by Experiment Station and Extension
Directors and NIFA
 Overseen by Administrative Advisor(s)
 Standardized reporting to USDA‐NIFA

9. 1. Establish and strengthen relationships
a. Support regular communication and collaboration
among LGUs, HTF members, and other partners to
strengthen multi‐state approaches regarding
agricultural and environmental research and outreach
b. Encourage intrastate interactions between state
agencies, universities and others to meet state‐level
nutrient reduction goals
c. Leverage the synergy of the HTF‐LGU relationship to
seek/secure funding to support multistate initiatives
that address HTF goals

10. 2. Strengthen the knowledge base for discovery of new
tools and practices as well as for the continual
validation of recommended practices
a. Strengthen the science base that informs our
understanding of the costs, benefits, and efficacy of
nutrient management strategies at multiple temporal
and spatial scales
b. Develop and refine appropriate nutrient decision
support tools for better decision‐making
c. Promote environmental assessment research to
improve water and atmospheric quality

11. 3. Strengthen the delivery of educational programming for
agricultural and non‐agricultural audiences to increase
implementation and effectiveness of nutrient management
strategies
a. Exchange across states information about model education and
outreach programs that improve adoption of conservation
practices and enhance nutrient use efficiency
b. Within states, collaborate with HTF member agencies and other
stakeholders to address outreach and education priorities
c. Engage farmers in producer‐led watershed projects and on‐farm
research and demonstration to increase the adoption and
effectiveness of nutrient management strategies
d. Engage producer groups and ag industry (CCAs, trusted advisors,
ag consultants) to develop and implement effective nutrient
management strategies

12.  HTF member Dr. Ann Bartuska appoints Dr. Bob Holland
at USDA‐NIFA as a liaison between LGUs and the USDA
Research, Education and Economics Mission Area
 HTF responds with collaboration opportunities; examples
include:
 Compile BMP effectiveness information/publications in one
place
 Participate in state strategies – research/assessment and
outreach
 Research and outreach on precision nutrient management
 Work with Certified Crop Advisors on common
approaches/messages that have economic and environmental
benefits

13.  Healthy Soils Healthy Waters Workshop
 Confluence newsletter, with a “From the Hypoxia Task
Force” column

15.  Wes Burger, Mississippi State University
 Michael Schmitt, University of Minnesota
 John Lawrence, Iowa State University
 Mike Daniels, University of Arkansas
 Andy Ward, The Ohio State University
 Richard Ingram, Mississippi State University (formerly
Mississippi DEQ)
 Shawn Richmond, IDALS
 Joe Piotrowski, USEPA
 Ann Bartuska, USDA