Farmers in the North Central Region produce about 80% of the nation's corn and soybean crops. Agriculture is expected to produce not just abundant, affordable food, but also clean water, healthy soil, and wildlife habitat. To help producers address these expectations, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiated five comprehensive projects to evaluate and develop profitable cropping systems that safeguard water resources. Known as Management Systems Evaluation Areas (MSEA), main study sites were established in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio. Sites located in North and South Dakota and in Wisconsin are coordinated through the Minnesota project.
The cornerstone of the MSEA program is the close integration of research and Extension education activities. This integration exists not only within each project, but also among the five states coordinating project efforts.
Ongoing research and educational programs among the projects continue to provide useful information to varied audiences, both in and outside of the agricultural community. Since the initiation of the regional MSEA projects in 1990, combined efforts have provided more than 700 educational programs, disseminating information to some 50,000 users annually. These activities have increased awareness, demonstrated new and improved technologies and strategies, and encouraged adoption of cropping practices to reduce the impact of agriculture on the region's water resources. Examples of specific MSEA activities related to agricultural drainage, along with other state research and educational efforts, are given in the following pages.