Sign in: Twitter  ·  Facebook  ·  email
  • About
  • Issues
    • Issues
    • PReP Rural
    • Industrial Ag
    • RegeNErate Nebraska
    • Citizen Scientist
    • Renewable Energy
  • Services
  • Background
  • Articles
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • The Team

Pages tagged "Water"


Citizen Scientist

Project Taps Citizen Scientists
To Gauge Water Quality Across Nebraska

190701_Water_005Online.jpg

A Team Of Researchers At The University Of Nebraska - Lincoln Needs The Help Of Curious People

The Citizen Scientist Program is a collaboration between the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and GC Resolve.  Other participants include various High School Science and FFA Students, various organizations, and dozens of volunteer Citizen Scientists. 

The reason we are testing private wells on farms is to give an opportunity for farm families and rural residents to increase awareness about rising contaminants in Eastern Nebraska, and to help improve their health by identifying potential contamination in drinking water supplies from excess nutrients.  

2020 Summer Testing Dates Will Be September 1st – 30th

We are looking for volunteers to help with the Summer 2020 testing period. We are also looking for volunteers who can test water samples throughout the entire year.  

How Does The Program Work?

The University of Nebraska Department of Civil Engineering will provide all testing materials to volunteers. Volunteers will measure the concentrations of key nutrients, nitrates, nitrites, and phosphates, using rapid test strips that provide accurate and reliable results in less than 1 minute. All volunteers will receive training (30 minutes) to ensure that they are comfortable with the tools provided.

The information that you collect will be sent to the University of Nebraska, by either mail or email, for analysis. Expert faculty and staff will answer questions and provide feedback to you on the levels of plant nutrients in the water that you tested. As a Citizen Scientist, you will be kept informed about the results of this program and alerted to future opportunities to improve your water resources.

How To Test For Nitrates:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HfiMQ3Ug5Y&feature=youtu.be

How To Test For Phosphates:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffR6Ubv2KNs&feature=youtu.be

The entire state will be able to participate in the 2020 Citizen Scientist summer testing sessions.  If you were a Citizen Scientist in the past you are eligible to test again for free.  Additional tests can be provided on request.

To Become A Citizen Scientist:

PLEASE CLICK HERE if you live in Nebraska and would like to register for FREE Water Testing!

 

Summary_Report_Summer_2019.jpg

If you have additional questions please contact:

Graham Christensen
GC Resolve
402-217-5217 | [email protected]

Or

Shannon Bartelt-Hunt
University of Nebraska
402-554-3868 | [email protected]
1110 S. 67th St
Omaha, NE 68182-0178

Thank you for considering this opportunity to participate in monitoring your water resources!

 


WANT MORE INFORMATION ON SOLAR?  
CHECK OUT THE AREA'S GREENEST DEVELOPMENT COMPANY!

GC_ReVOLT_Logo.png


Industrial Agriculture

Industrial Agriculture And Extreme Vertical Integration Puts Existing Nebraskans At Risk

Many Nebraskans are too familiar with problems arising from living too close to large concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO’s).  GC Resolve has concerns too. 

Presently, Nebraskans are learning first hand about new extreme forms of vertical integration that threaten our culture through bad business practices now being forced on existing residents, most notably by retail giant Costco, and more recently by Cactus Hog Feeders.  This extreme form of vertical integration violates Nebraska values. 

With existing residents' health and quality of life put at risk, a coalition of Nebraska groups has rallied together to compile their experiences over the last 5 years in a new report.  This report highlights how communities have come together to inform each other about the risks associated with large animal feeding operations, and summarizes the safeguards that need to be enacted in order to protect local residents. 

Please click the Nebraska CAFO Standards Report below to review.

Nebraska_CAFO_Report_JPEG.pngLargest Poultry Operation In U.S. History

Costco’s proposed operation is unlike anything our state, or even country, has ever seen.  The project would process over 420,000 chickens per day, with a feed mill and a hatchery, all located in a floodplain adjacent to the Platte River.  Over 22 million chickens will be housed in approximately 520 barns spread out over Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa, all upstream from the Omaha and Lincoln metro areas, creating public health concerns as litter will produce excess nutrients that will leach into Nebraska waterways.  

Screen_Shot_2019-08-16_at_2.17.54_PM.png

Costco barns locations inundate Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa communities threatening the public's health and our proud independent farming culture.  Some of these sites feature as many as 32 barns (or 1,520,000 chickens).

 

Growing Health Concerns

Health experts have begun to chime in too.  A John Hopkins University Research letter written to the Fremont Mayor and City Council highlights concerns to water quality and quantity from large poultry operations, and also raises concerns about air quality.  Costco and publicly elected leaders have widely ignored these warnings.

LPP.jpg
During the great flood of 2019 the Costco Poultry Processing facility located at Fremont, NE was nearly engulfed by the rising waters.  Poor planning, as seen in the above example, puts area residents at a public health risk during extreme climatic events, and further threatens area water quality. 

 

IMG_0040.jpg
A young woman walks her dog at Linoma Beach in the spring.  This scene is becoming more common in Nebraska lakes and ponds and is caused by excess nutrient contamination from industrial agriculture.  This site is within a mile from the City of Lincoln's Water Wellheads.

 

Fotosearch_k7264257.jpg

Barns hold up to 47,500 birds apiece.  Most chickens will take anti-biotics and growth hormones in their early stages increasing the threat to Nebraska waterways with the introduction of resistant pathogens.

Nitrate_Concentration_in_NE_Wells.jpg

2016_Nebraska_Surface_Water_Quality_Integrated_Report_(dragged).jpgNitrate levels in Nebraska have continued to increase with the growth of agriculture industrialization. Excessive nitrate exposure can cause health issues like Blue Baby Syndrome, which can be deadly in infants, and in some cases various forms of cancer, thyroid conditions, reproductive issues, and diabetes.

 

We Have A Better Solution To Ag

That solution starts with the soil. More Nebraskans are moving away from degenerative farming practices that threaten the soil and are transitioning to regenerative agriculture instead.  Regenerative agriculture focuses on improving soil health, which helps reduce rising greenhouse gas emissions, cleanses our water, and lessens the farmer’s dependence on synthetic inputs which improves their bottom line! 

Regenerative farming and ranching create new rural entrepreneurial jobs around the food production system which helps to revitalize our state.  Regenerative agriculture also puts livestock front and center, and advocates increased biodiversity and well-managed grazing systems.  Our future is regenerative and resilient.

unnamed-2.png


WANT MORE INFORMATION ON SOLAR?  
CHECK OUT THE AREA'S GREENEST DEVELOPMENT COMPANY!

GC_ReVOLT_Logo.png


Powered by people like you

Meg Rush Curious Paul Lynn Fahrmeier Scott Jordan Tom Rymill Ccc Sustainability Kevin O'Reilly Ssussdriad Arjuna Cordaro Kibet Korir

Sign in with Facebook, Twitter or email.

Created with NationBuilder