The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has received two federal grants totaling $1.7 million to build on the university’s environmental sustainability work on two issues: nitrogen management for sugar beet production, and alley cropping, an agroforestry practice involving the planting of trees or shrubs alongside crops.

The funds are part of $90 million in Conservation Innovation Grants awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

A $1,116,149 grant will support Husker research for environmentally sustainable nitrogen management for sugar beet production in Nebraska and Colorado. In addition, Husker researchers will use $682,335 in USDA funding to study alley cropping as a sustainable land use strategy in the Midwest.

“UNL’s longstanding history of being one of the country’s premier land-grant research institutions, specifically when it comes to innovation in agronomical research and sustainability practices throughout the state of Nebraska’s diverse ag markets, makes them a solid recipient to administer these Conservation Innovation Grant funds,” said Rob Lawson, NRCS state conservationist for Nebraska.

The grants “will benefit Nebraska producers and further UNL’s studies in western sugar beet production and alley cropping’s potential as a sustainable land use strategy,” Lawson said.

For the sugar beet project, the university will partner with the Western Sugar Cooperative and work with 50 growers to assess best practices for nitrogen management … (continue reading)

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