Inside this issue

Dear members: Our 2022 International Annual Meeting is right around the corner. Check out the preview inside this issue. This year’s theme, “Communication and Public Engagement for Healthy People and a Healthy Planet,” highlights that communication is key to expanding the reach and impact of our scientific accomplishments in agronomy, crop science, and soil science. For ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, strong connections through communication will impact our strategic objectives of diversity, equity, and inclusion; expanded external engagement; and sustainable, relevant publications. Registration today at acsmeetings.org.

At the Societies’ summer board meetings, board members were asked to engage three to four members from their divisions or sections with three questions: What are the biggest problems your institution are facing? What program or service does your Society provide to you that has significant use or value? Are there resource gaps that our Societies can help fill? This month, ASA President David Clay, CSSA President Marilyn Warburton, and SSSA President Ron Turco provide a snapshot of the discussions that took place.

Finally, in our Features section, we begin a three-part series celebrating the Clean Water Act (CWA). Half a century ago, in response to burning rivers and other high-profile environmental disasters, the U.S. Congress passed the CWA as a means to protect waterways from sea to shining sea.

This month, we look at how one on-farm management practice—constructed wetlands—can significantly reduce water pollution from tile-drained farms. In many states, particularly around the Great Lakes, tile drainage is a common and growing practice that increases yields but also funnels excess nitrogen and phosphorus into waterways, resulting in harmful downstream effects as far away as the Gulf of Mexico. Research out of central Illinois found that by setting aside a very small portion of a producer’s field for wetlands, nutrient losses could be cut in half.

Do you like what you read in CSA News or have an idea for a story? Drop me a line at Send Message. I’d love to hear from you.