Land Grant Universities in Mississippi River Basin Collaborative Response to Hypoxia in Gulf of Mexico

Agricultural practices are a primary contributor to nutrient loading in the Mississippi River and facilitates formation of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico each summer. SERA-46 resulted from Non-funded Cooperative Agreement between the Mississippi River Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force (Hypoxia Task Force or HTF) and land-grant university (LGU) Extension and Experiment Stations in the North Central and Southern Region. It brings together researchers and extension specialists sharing common interests and expertise on environmental, social, and economic factors contributing to nutrient loss from agricultural lands, state-level nutrient impairments, and hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico.  Goal of SERA-46 is to promote effective implementation of science-based approaches to nutrient management/conservation that reduces nutrient losses. Objectives of SERA 46 include:  (1) establish and strengthen relationships that serve the missions of multiple organizations addressing nutrient movement and environmental quality; specifically, SERA-46 is focusing on strengthening relationships among LGUs, HTF and its member agencies, and agriculture; (2) expand the knowledge base for discovery of new tools and practices, and continue validation of recommended practices; (3) improve coordination and delivering of educational programming and increase implementation effectiveness of nutrient management strategies that reduce nutrient movement for agricultural and non-agricultural audiences.