NDSU Extension to host Getting It Right crop production webinars – Jamestown Sun

Report on the ‘Getting It Right’ Agricultural Webinar Series and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension is launching the ‘Getting It Right’ crop production webinar series, scheduled from December 2025 to March 2026. This educational initiative aims to provide farmers and crop advisers with current, research-based recommendations to inform sustainable production decisions for the 2026 growing season. The program’s focus on enhancing agricultural knowledge, promoting resource efficiency, and ensuring economic viability directly supports the advancement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Program Objectives and Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The webinar series is strategically designed to address key challenges in modern agriculture, with its objectives closely aligned with the global SDG framework. The primary contributions include:

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): By disseminating advanced agronomic practices and pest management strategies, the series aims to increase crop productivity and resilience, directly contributing to achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): The program offers an accessible, no-cost platform for lifelong learning, providing agricultural professionals with critical knowledge. The inclusion of Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) continuing education credits reinforces its commitment to high-quality professional development.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Through expert-led sessions on market forecasts and economics, the series empowers farmers to enhance the economic sustainability of their operations, fostering productive employment and resilient agricultural economies.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): A core focus on best practices for soil, weed, and pest management encourages the adoption of sustainable production patterns, minimizing environmental impact and optimizing the use of natural resources.

Curriculum and Expert Contributions

The series will feature a multidisciplinary team of NDSU Extension specialists to deliver a comprehensive curriculum. The topics are structured to build capacity for sustainable and productive farming.

1. Sustainable Agronomy and Soil Health: Brady Goettl, NDSU Extension soil science specialist, will present on practices that improve soil health, a critical component for climate action (SDG 13) and protecting terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15).
2. Integrated Pest and Weed Management: Sessions with Joe Ikley (weed specialist) and Janet Knodel (entomologist) will focus on effective management strategies that support responsible production (SDG 12) and safeguard biodiversity.
3. Economic Analysis and Forecasting: Frayne Olson, NDSU Extension crops economist, will provide market insights to support informed financial decision-making, contributing to economic growth (SDG 8).

Each webinar will facilitate direct engagement through a live Q&A session, allowing participants to interact with the specialists.

Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

This initiative is a model of a multi-stakeholder partnership, central to SDG 17. The collaboration between NDSU Extension, an academic and research institution, and key industry organizations demonstrates a collective effort to achieve sustainable development in agriculture. Sponsoring partners include:

• North Dakota Soybean Council
• Northarvest Bean Growers Association
• National Sunflower Association
• North Dakota Corn Utilization Council
• Northern Canola Growers Association

Logistical and Registration Information

In line with the goal of providing inclusive and equitable education (SDG 4), the webinar series is free to attend. Preregistration is required for all participants to receive the necessary Zoom access link. For registration and additional information, contact Ana Carcedo at 701-831-5796 or a.carcedo@ndsu.edu.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The article focuses on a webinar series designed to provide “up-to-date, research-based crop production recommendations.” By educating farmers on “agronomic best practices” and “pest and disease management,” the initiative aims to improve agricultural productivity and ensure sustainable food production, which is central to achieving food security and ending hunger.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The core of the article is an educational initiative, the “Getting It Right crop production webinar series.” It provides lifelong learning opportunities for “farmers and crop advisers.” The mention of “Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) continuing education credits” explicitly links the program to formal vocational and technical skill enhancement.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The webinars aim to help farmers “make informed production decisions for the 2026 growing season” by providing “market forecasts.” This knowledge empowers farmers to improve their economic viability and productivity, contributing to sustained economic growth within the agricultural sector.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• By promoting “research-based” recommendations and “agronomic best practices,” the program encourages more efficient and sustainable agricultural production methods. This helps in managing natural resources better and reducing the environmental impact of farming, aligning with the goal of sustainable production patterns.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article highlights a multi-stakeholder partnership. The webinar series is an NDSU Extension initiative “sponsored by the North Dakota Soybean Council, Northarvest Bean Growers Association, National Sunflower Association, North Dakota Corn Utilization Council and Northern Canola Growers Association.” This collaboration between a public university extension and several industry associations exemplifies a partnership for achieving sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers… The article’s focus on helping farmers “make informed production decisions” and providing “market forecasts” directly supports the goal of increasing productivity and economic returns from farming.
• Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices… The program’s content, including “agronomic best practices” and “pest and disease management,” is aimed at implementing sustainable and resilient agricultural techniques.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The webinar series provides technical skills to farmers and crop advisers, with “Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) continuing education credits” serving as a formal recognition of this vocational training.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation… The dissemination of “research updates” and “agronomic best practices” represents a form of technological upgrading and innovation transfer to the agricultural sector to boost productivity.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.a: Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production. While the context is not a developing country, the principle is identical: strengthening the capacity of producers (farmers) by providing them with scientific and research-based knowledge (“research updates,” “presentations from NDSU Extension specialists”) to adopt more sustainable production practices.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships… The collaboration between NDSU Extension (a public entity) and various commodity grower associations (civil society/private sector organizations) is a direct example of such a partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Implied Indicator: While not explicitly stated, progress could be measured by the rate of adoption of recommended “agronomic best practices” by the webinar participants. This would relate to the “Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture” (Indicator 2.4.1).

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Mentioned/Implied Indicators: The article implies direct measurement through the number of participants who preregister and attend the webinars. A more specific indicator mentioned is the number of attendees who receive “Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) continuing education credits,” which directly measures the acquisition of vocational skills.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Implied Indicator: The article does not provide data, but a logical indicator to measure the impact of “informed production decisions” and “market forecasts” would be the change in farm profitability or productivity for participating farmers.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Implied Indicator: Progress could be tracked by surveying participants on their knowledge and implementation of sustainable practices discussed in the webinars, such as improved pest management or soil science techniques.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Mentioned Indicator: The article explicitly lists the partners involved. A direct indicator is the number of stakeholder organizations collaborating on the initiative (NDSU Extension plus the five named grower associations).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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