As I conclude my time as Executive Director of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, it is with pride and gratitude that I share some key highlights from our FY25 Annual Report. Our progress over the past year demonstrates our steadfast commitment to a water- and food-secure world.
We reached a significant milestone this year, celebrating 15 years of the Institute's impact since it was established by the vision and generosity of irrigation pioneer Bob Daugherty in 2010. This anniversary reflects our institute’s legacy and the University of Nebraska’s sustained leadership in agricultural water management, anchored in innovative research, strategic collaborations, and impactful programs. Our Nebraska roots remain central to our success. We leverage the state’s expertise and collaborative spirit in agriculture and water management while creating new partnerships, opportunities and technologies to benefit Nebraska and beyond.
Our role as a global thought leader continues to grow. Through active participation in major international forums and strong collaborations at both local and global levels, we have helped to keep water and agriculture at the forefront of critical conversations.
This report highlights our progress across the institute’s three core focus areas: water management for high-productivity commercial agriculture; smallholder agricultural water management; and environmental and human health in agricultural systems.
Notable projects include:
- Numerous initiatives on improving irrigation access for smallholder farmers, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa, which are amplified by a three-year grant from the Gates Foundation to advance “Irrigation as a Service" (IaaS). These irrigation business models seek to provide affordable access to irrigation without the burden with the burden of capital costs.
- Nearing completion of the five-year DAWN project, which helps U.S. Corn Belt farmers optimize management of water and nutrient with greater precision.
- Extending of our multi-state flux tower network into the Upper Colorado River Basin (and the states of Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico), providing precise crop water use measurements for producers and water managers.
- Advancing next-generation crop models by refining existing USDA simulation models for key crops. These new models crucially bridge the gap between complex research and practical on-farm application.
- Driving innovations at the intersection of agriculture, health and ecosystems including converting chicken feather waste into spray-on bioplastics for sustainable weed control and soil protection; investigating irrigation's impacts on heat stress and public health; and investigating the movement of excess nitrates and other contaminants in groundwater.
We continue to prioritize education, capacity building and workforce development, as well as communications and convening, which are cross-cutting themes woven throughout all our initiatives. This year we welcomed eight new faculty fellows, bringing our total to more than 130 University of Nebraska faculty who are engaged with DWFI. We also supported 28 students conducting mission-relevant research. Our 2025 Water for Food Global Conference brought together 350 thought leaders from 27 countries working toward the same goal of feeding our growing planet with less pressure on our water resources.
I encourage you to read the full report, which showcases the dedication, expertise and efforts of our staff, faculty fellows, students and partners around the world.As I prepare to step down at the end of 2025, I am deeply grateful to the colleagues, friends, and collaborators I have had the honor to work with. Your passion and commitment have been invaluable to our success. I am proud of all we have accomplished together and confident that the institute will continue to lead with vision and impact.
It has been my privilege to serve as Executive Director over the past decade. Together, we are making a lasting difference in building a more productive, resilient and sustainable agriculture and water future for all. Thank you for all your contributions.
Regards,
Peter G. McCornick
Executive Director
Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute