A Message From Ronnie D. Green

From Lab to Living Room, UNL Research Makes a Difference

A message from NU Vice President of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Harlan Vice Chancellor, IANR, Ronnie D. Green

Ronnie D. Green We in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are part of Nebraska's land-grant university- the people's university- and we take that privilege and responsibility very seriously.

Our mission as part of Nebraska's land-grant university is to take the university's resources to Nebraskans through teaching, research and extension education. All three closely intertwine in IANR, where food, energy, water and natural resources, and people are at the core of all we do.

That's because the security- and by security I mean enough for everyone -- of food, renewable energy, water and natural resources for people are the biggest challenges facing our state and world today. Given that, you'd expect the people's university to seek solutions to Nebraska's greatest needs. It's how we're at work for Nebraska.

We know people can't make their best decisions for their lives, families, businesses and communities without the best knowledge available- knowledge based on and proven by research and results.

We do such research in IANR and throughout the University, moving new knowledge quickly into our classrooms and carrying it throughout our state through University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.

Providing thoughtful, factual, carefully researched information to Nebraskans also is the base for Strategic Discussions for Nebraska (SDN), and IANR is pleased to have this opportunity to partner with UNL's College of Journalism and Mass Communications (CoJMC) toprovide this SDN magazine.

Our thanks to Mary Garbacz in CoJMC who heads the SDN project, and the students who worked with her to deliver this report. We value the opportunity to provide rich learning experiences for students.

Our thanks, too, to the Robert and Ardis James Family Foundation for the James's considered belief that people must have factual information to promote statewide discussions leading to wise decisions for Nebraska and its people. SDN began with the James's support.

A quick look through the stories in this magazine makes it clear why this is information worth reading, digesting and putting to use. Topics include renewable energy; water and other natural resource sustainability; climate change; innovations in horticulture, agricultural crops and animal science; and more.

These issues are hugely important to our powerhouse agricultural state's future success and sustainability, whether a person farms or ranches or lives and works in our most urban areas. They affect our entire planet, and the ability to feed and sustain our world's population. It is a pleasure for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources to be part of this issue of Strategic Discussions for Nebraska. We hope you'll help us carry the discussions forward, making your ideas and opinions known.