AMES, Iowa – Water quality researchers usually get the credit for their ideas and the grants they secure to study the ideas’ potential. Less likely to be acknowledged are those who help take the ideas from paper to practice.
"So much of our research depends on working closely not only with state and federal agencies, but also with private sector engineers and contractors to help get ideas on the ground," says Bill Crumpton, professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology at Iowa State University, a well-known scientist who studies wetlands and water quality. "We work with them to evaluate planned projects, to tweak and test our ideas, and to find ways to improve designs."
Essential research partners
"Engineers and contractors in the private sector are essential partners in water quality research and practice implementation," echoes Tom Isenhart, a scientist in natural resource ecology and management at Iowa State known widely for his work on riparian (streamside) buffers to improve water quality.
Charlie Schafer, CEO of Agri Drain Corp, is one of those partners. "Research is a team sport," he agrees. His family business in Adair, Iowa, specializes in products that support on-farm management of water quantity and quality. Schafer has extensive experience working with researchers in Iowa and around the country to help bring their ideas to reality.
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