Farming is a vital part of Wisconsin’s economy, and agricultural practices significantly impact the state’s water resources. The Ag-Water Nexus Seminar and Ag-Water Nexus Field Experience equip students with a broad, interdisciplinary education that integrates agricultural and environmental perspectives.
The courses rotate among four universities, allowing students to explore different agricultural areas in Wisconsin. The spring 2026 offering is based at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
“By linking agricultural practices with water systems through hands-on, real-world learning, the Ag-Water Nexus program strengthens our commitment to educating future leaders who can address essential environmental and economic challenges in agriculture,” said Dr. Joseph Sanford, assistant professor of agriculture and biological systems engineering at UW–Platteville.
These courses are funded by the Freshwater Collaborative and offered by the Wisconsin Ag-Water Nexus, a collaboration of faculty from UW-Platteville, UW-Green Bay, UW-River Falls and UW-Stevens Point. Students must be enrolled at one of the four universities.
Seminar: Highlights current research and applied projects addressing Wisconsin’s agricultural water issues. Students engage with leading faculty, graduate students and professionals through guest lectures, discussions and online reflections. This is an online synchronous/asynchronous one-credit course.
Field Experience: Immerses students in Wisconsin’s agricultural regions to examine the relationship between farming practices and water resource management. Over the course of a three-day field experience, students engage in site visits to local farms and agricultural cooperatives, hands-on labs, and conversations with researchers, conservationists, and producers. They build practical skills, foster professional connections, and gain deeper understanding of the real-world challenges and solutions at the agriculture–water interface. This is a one-credit in-person course held May 1–3, 2026.
To learn more and enroll in the course, contact UW-Platteville’s Ag-Water Nexus coordinator: Dr. Joseph Sanford sanfordj@uwplatt.edu, course number AGRIC 3990
Written by Joseph Sanford
Link to original story: https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/spring-course-explores-connection-between-agriculture-and-water-wisconsin