By Scout Nelson
Small producers play a big role in local food systems, and extension educator Carol Waters is working to ensure their contributions are recognized and supported throughout Nebraska.
“The producers I work with are part of their community and are farmers in their own right,” Waters said. “They're valuable to the local food system in their regions, they care about the food system in their region, they care about the land and care about the people in their community, which is why they grow food.”
Waters serve as a commercial fruit and vegetable production extension educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Based in Weeping Water, she has a statewide appointment to assist commercial producers of all sizes by offering advice, diagnosing problems, and providing practical solutions.
Her career spans more than two decades. Waters began in Kentucky as a county horticulture agent, then worked in Iowa for 10 years before joining Nebraska Extension in 2022.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Northwest Missouri State University, a master’s degree in woody ornamental horticulture and urban forestry from Iowa State University, and later a Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
Waters provides guidance to producers who sell through farmer’s markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture, or to restaurants. She applies research from Nebraska’s Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and collaborates with colleagues for specialized expertise.
“Some clients that are just starting out need more reassurance that they're doing the right thing, so I provide that for them,” Waters said. “Others need help diagnosing weed or insect problems, so I work with the spray guides to figure out what would be best for their operation.”
Though she faces challenges in covering the entire state, Waters extends her reach through digital diagnostics, podcasts such as Nebraska Grows, and annual events including the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society Conference and the Great Plains Growers Conference.
Waters says the rewards outweigh the challenges. “Each producer has different goals and aspirations, and when you're able to help solve a problem for them or work with them to achieve their goals, that's the rewarding part,” she said.
As an Extension Educator Affiliate in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Waters continues to strengthen ties between research, teaching, and community outreach.
Photo Credit:gettyimage-jamesbrey
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Education