In this episode, guest host Trey Allis chats with Dr. Lindsay Pease of the University of Minnesota Crookston. An Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Nutrient and Water Management, Dr. Pease shares insights into her research on drainage, nutrient management, and soil health in northwestern Minnesota.

Tracing her roots in the western Lake Erie basin in Ohio to her current work in the Red River Valley, Dr. Pease reflects on the similarities and differences between these two flat glacial landscapes. She shares her experience of getting “deeper and deeper into drainage” and how this interest brought her to her position in Crookston, MN.

Since 2019, Dr. Pease has conducted a 60-acre field experiment, studying crop outcomes in alternating drained and undrained sections. Through extreme weather conditions, she’s gathered valuable information about how tile drainage impacts water quality and crop performance. She shares the outcomes of this research and talks about what she’s learned about tile drainage and its impacts on the health of soil, water, and different types of crops.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction
00:48 - From one glacial lake bed to another
02:14 - Focus on drainage and soil health
03:39 - Unique challenges in northwestern Minnesota
05:31 - Crop rotation and nutrient cycling
08:33 - A 60-acre field experiment
10:53 - Drainage and extreme weather patterns
12:16 - Wet seasons and nitrogen loss
13:37 - Testing in drought conditions
16:00 - Sugar beet drainage comparisons
19:36 - Phosphorus runoff and water quality
22:34 - Conservation practices for runoff control
26:06 - Controlled drainage and lift stations
30:40 - Future research directions
33:18 - Upcoming learning opportunities
36:03 - Closing thoughts

Related Content:

• The Water Table Episode #69: A City Kid’s Impact on Water Management Education with Dr. Lindsay Pease

Find us on social media!

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Listen on these podcast platforms:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube Music
• YouTube

Visit our website to explore more episodes & water management education.

As we close out another year, The Water Table looks back on the conversations that shaped 2025. In this special "2025 Wrapped" episode, we’ve curated highlights from our most impactful discussions—from Ducks Unlimited to the high-tech future of drainage modeling.

Host Jamie Duininck and guest host Trey Allis revisit stories of multi-generational family businesses, the critical role of recycled plastics in pipe manufacturing, and the evolving mindset around water as a resource to be managed rather than a problem to be solved. Whether discussing the effects of tariffs on agriculture or the rigorous licensing of contractors in Ontario, this year has been a testament to the growth and professionalism of our industry.

Join us for this retrospective as we celebrate another year in Ag water management.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome to 2025 Wrapped
00:14 - John Schwartz: Vision and Teamwork in the Swine Industry
01:19 - Samantha Ewald: Wetlands as the Kidneys of the Earth
03:03 - Jamie Duininck: The Minnesota State Fair Experience
03:50 - Lauren Lewandowski Hamer: Recycling and Local Manufacturing in Minnesota
04:32 - Jamie Duininck: The Backbone of the Drainage Industry
04:50 - Tim & Pattie Krengel: Multi-Generational Legacies
06:01 - Toban Dyck: Agriculture Across the Great Plains
07:41 - Chad Klotzbach: Managing Water Quality and Quantity
08:43 - Jamie Duininck: The First Ever Water Table Live
10:59 - Mel Luymes: Legislation and Licensing in Ontario
12:24 - Karl Guetter: Insights on the 2024 and 2025 Seasons
13:14 - Chuck Brandel: LiDAR Drones and Cost-Effective Modeling

Episodes Featured in 2025 Wrapped:

• 118: Accidental Advocate for the Drainage Industry
• 119: Revolutionizing Drainage: Improving Infrastructure with Technology
• 121: Navigating the Challenges & Opportunities of Being a Farmer
• 122: Drainage in Ontario: Balancing Agriculture & the Environment.
• 123: Drainage Contractors' Questions Answered - Live!
• 124: Who Pays? The Impact of Tariffs on U.S. and Canadian Ag
• 126: From the Ground Up: A Legacy of Breaking Barriers & Land Stewardship
• 131: Schwartz Farms: A Business Built On Shared Purpose & Embracing Change
• 132: Ducks Unlimited: Balancing Wetland Conservation & Agricultural Production
• 135: A Fair Deal: Recycling & Giving Plastics New Life

Find us on social media!

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Listen on these podcast platforms:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube Music
• YouTube

Visit our website to explore more episodes & water management education.

In the quest for better water quality, farmers and city residents share a vital common goal: protecting our shared water resources by managing runoff. Host Jamie Duininck speaks with Ann Zawistoski and Sophie Wicklund of the Adopt-a-Drain program to draw a direct line between agricultural and urban water management practices. Just as farmers use practices like buffer strips, bioreactors, and controlled drainage to minimize nutrient loss, our “city cousins" clean their local storm drains to prevent urban pollutants like leaves and debris from entering waterways.

Adopt-a-Drain empowers the public to take responsibility for stormwater management, recognizing that urban stormwater runoff is a major source of water pollution. The program encourages residents to adopt a storm drain near their home and clean it just twice a month. This simple, hands-on approach transforms the public's understanding of their impact on the watershed, leading to broader behavioral changes. The collective results prove the power of individual action, with over 30,000 adopted drains and nearly one million pounds of debris removed across the country. Tune in to discover the powerful parallels between urban and agricultural water quality practices and how community engagement is successfully working toward clean water for everyone.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:36 Adopt-a-Drain Guest Introductions
01:57 The Urban Stormwater Challenge
04:00 How the Adopt-a-Drain Program Works
05:40 Nearly 1 Million Pounds of Debris Removed
06:35 Behavior Change
07:50 Adopt-a-Drain's Origins and Inspiration
10:52 Why Small, Frequent Cleanings Make a Big Difference
13:56 Engaging Participants Year-Round
15:53 Funding and Partnerships
19:42 The Parallels to Ag Water Management
25:39 Expanding the Movement

Related Content:

• #138 | Set It & Forget It... Making Controlled Water Management Accessible with Agri Drain
• #56 | A More Efficient Approach to Water Quality: Batch and Build
• #14 | Opportunities in Water Quality
• Adopt-a-Drain

Find us on social media!

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Listen on these podcast platforms:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube Music
• YouTube

Visit our website to explore more episodes & water management education.