USDA-NRCS Supports the Arc of the Central Plains Innovative Agricultural Project

Sep 04, 2025

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) played a pivotal role in supporting the Arc of Central Plains (Arc) and its mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Local NRCS employees attended the Hays Chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony in June to acknowledge the valuable partnership the Agency supported through NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which provided essential technical assistance and financial support that helped Arc initiate an innovative agricultural project. This project provides the ability to cultivate various vegetables, such as tomatoes, jalapenos, herbs, eggplant, and squash, which not only contribute to the local food supply but also fosters an environment of productivity and skill development for individuals with I/DD.

Source : usda.gov

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.