2012 has been a mixed year for water and for all of us that use it. Drought conditions created intense challenges for farmers and much of the Midwest is still trying to catch up. However, less water running off the land has reduced soil and nutrients entering waterways, leading to temporary water quality improvements in many parts of our region and in the Gulf of Mexico. Less obvious impacts of the 2012 drought include increased costs for shipping on the Mississippi and Great Lakes, damage to forest health and forest products, and higher energy prices.

The drought is one of many water related issues we face in the Upper Midwest. It is an example that demonstrates how complex and inter-connected water issues are. Land-grant universities and Extension educators are well positioned to bring communities, businesses, researchers, and education together to address the challenges and opportunities posed by changes in water resources. It is important to remember that collaboration around water issues benefits us all.

This month's newsletter examines a diversity of water challenges and how land-grant universities, Extension, and our partners are addressing them. You can also find new information on water research and education resources on the recently updated Great Lakes Regional Water Program website. Feel free to contact us with any questions, comments, or new ideas that you'd like to see pursued in the coming year.

Happy reading, and warm wishes this holiday season. See you in 2013!

Rebecca Power, Co-Director, Great Lakes Regional Water Program

Initiative leaders from University of Wisconsin, Ohio State University and Purdue University, with the support of the Great Lakes Regional Water Program, have already created a Social Indicators for Planning and Evaluation System (SIPES) along with the Social Indicators Data Management and Analysis (SIDMA) tool focused on polluted runoff. Anticipated outcomes of this year's funded initiative include an increased awareness of SIPES/SIDMA, increased knowledge of social indicators for watershed management by conservation professionals, increased use of SIPES/SIDMA for planning and evaluation of watershed management and the increased use of social data in watershed management efforts.

Full initiative overview

North American Manure Expo: Creating a Permanent, Sustainable Base for Hands-on Manure Applicator Education

With partners from University of Arkansas and Penn State University, the "Manure Expo" initiative directors from University of Wisconsin-Extension, University of Missouri and Ohio State University continue to bring the message of nutrient management directly to the front-line employees in the manure handling industry.

This year's funding will allow the initiative leaders to conduct a feasibility study to determine the best long-term management

structure for the expo, along with a subsequent pilot of the new model during the 2013 North American Manure Expo. This restructuring aims to create a greater willingness of Extension educators in partner states to host Manure Expo as a result of being able to focus on educational opportunities, rather than the financial and logistical components of planning a trade show.