Penn State Launches Winter Ag Water Webinar Series

By Blake Jackson

Water plays a vital role in Pennsylvania agriculture, supporting crop production, livestock operations, and overall farm sustainability. At the same time, managing water effectively can present ongoing challenges for producers.

To help address these issues, Penn State Extension is hosting the fourth annual Winter Ag Water Webinar Series, offering practical guidance on key water-related topics impacting farms across the state.

The free webinar series will take place on Mondays at noon from March 2 through March 30. While general admission is free, participants seeking continuing education credits may do so for a $10 fee for select sessions.

Available credits include Certified Pesticide Applicator Category 9 credits, Certified Crop Adviser Soil and Water Management CEUs, engineering professional development hours, and certificates of attendance. Registration is required to access each webinar.

The series begins March 2 with “What’s in Your Farm Pond?” This session focuses on identifying, reporting, managing, and preventing aquatic invasive species that threaten farm ponds and local biodiversity by crowding out native plants and disrupting ecosystems.

On March 9, “Biochar’s Impact on Soil Water Infiltration” will explore findings from a Pennsylvania-based study examining how biochar influences soil infiltration rates in row crop fields, pastures, and constructed wetland edges. Improved infiltration can enhance crop growth and promote more sustainable agronomic systems.

The March 16 webinar, “Water Law Basics for Farmers,” provides a practical overview of Pennsylvania’s water regulations, including the Clean Streams Law, Chapters 102 and 105, and requirements related to erosion control, nutrient management, and agricultural stormwater.

“Flood-Resilient Agriculture,” scheduled for March 23, addresses strategies to reduce flood risks, soil loss, and nutrient runoff amid increasingly intense rainfall events.

The series concludes March 30 with “Developing a Spring for Ag Water Use,” highlighting how spring development under the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program can improve water quality, reduce runoff, and strengthen long-term farm viability.

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