By Scout Nelson
The University of Nebraska Lincoln has named Bijesh Maharjan as the Ray and Jolene Ward Professor of Soil Health Science, effective April 1, 2026. The new professorship recognizes leadership in soil health research, education, and practical conservation efforts that support long-term agricultural sustainability.
This position was established in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture to honor Ray and Jolene Ward for their strong contributions to Nebraska agriculture. The Wards founded Ward Laboratories, Inc. in 1983 with a mission to provide reliable analytical results that help producers make informed management decisions. What began as a small operation has grown into a modern agricultural laboratory known for supporting farmers and agronomists.
Maharjan is the first recipient of the professorship. His work focuses on soil health science and the development of practical frameworks that help producers evaluate and improve soil conditions. One of his major contributions is the concept of the Soil Health Gap, introduced in 2020, which compares cropland soil health with native reference sites.
This approach helps identify differences and guides conservation planning. Another framework, the Cropland Reference Ecological Unit, allows accurate site comparisons using soil and weather data to improve decision-making.
He also helped develop the Soil Health Cycle, which combines management practices, human decisions, soil indicators, and ecosystem outcomes into a continuous process of improvement. These ideas have supported better conservation planning and stronger adoption of soil-friendly practices across Nebraska.
Maharjan’s extension work led to the creation of the Nebraska Soil Health School. This program brings together university experts, conservation specialists, and producers for hands-on learning events.
Topics include cover crops, tillage systems, soil biology, and water infiltration, supported by discussions on economics and environmental stewardship. Between 2023 and 2024, the program reached about 600 participants across seven locations.
In 2025, the program expanded into on-demand events tailored to producer needs. Maharjan has also supported soil restoration projects in challenging regions by promoting industrial byproducts such as coal char as soil amendments.
Additional work includes collaboration with conservation agencies to improve dryland cover crop use and nutrient management strategies that reduce fertilizer use while maintaining crop performance.
The professorship recognizes a scientist who turns research into practical solutions through outreach and education. Maharjan will be honored at the University of Nebraska Lincoln reception later this year.
Photo Credit: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Categories: Nebraska, Education, General, Sustainable Agriculture