Agriculture Breakfast Focuses on Water Solutions

By Andi Anderson

The annual Agriculture Breakfast, hosted by The Watershed Foundation in partnership with local conservation districts, brought together farmers, landowners, and conservation leaders to explore the theme “Water Problems: In the Field and Beyond.”

Nearly 95 attendees gathered to hear from experts, learn about local challenges, and discuss solutions that support healthier land and water systems.

Mariah Roberts opened the session by welcoming guests and emphasizing the importance of addressing local water issues. She stated, “I am excited to bring this topic to our community today… we know that there are problems with water on a global scale, but those of us who own property and work on the land face water problems on an annual basis.”

The first presentation came from Dr. Jerry Sweeten, known for his work in ecological restoration. His session, “Ecological Restoration: Founded on Science, Rooted in Collaboration,” explained how landscape changes influence water movement.

He remarked, “When you make large changes, one thing I guarantee: nature will respond. No matter what, there will be a response.” He highlighted how historic land-use changes, such as deforestation and dam construction, affected natural drainage and aquatic ecosystems.

Dr. Sweeten also discussed the removal of low‑head dams, which once powered mills but now disrupt ecosystems and create safety risks. As these dams are removed, species are returning to waterways.

He explained how suspended sediment and nutrients like phosphorus contribute to major water problems, noting that one pound of phosphorus can cause the growth of up to 10,000 pounds of aquatic plants and algae, leading to hypoxia in waterways.

The second speaker, soil scientist Kris Green, demonstrated how soil structure affects water infiltration. Through rain simulations and slake tests, he showed how no‑till and cover‑cropped soils absorb water more effectively than tilled soils. Green explained that stable soil aggregates help water move into the ground, reducing erosion and runoff.

The event concluded with roundtable discussions and information about conservation programs. Roberts closed by saying, “Bringing together community members to solve real-world problems and implement solutions is the core of The Watershed Foundation.”

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zms