Heidi Peterson

CAST papers are developed by interdisciplinary task forces composed of volunteer authors, chairs, reviewers, liaisons, and translators from academia, industry, and government. This index recognizes those contributors and highlights the breadth of expertise that supports CAST’s work.

Affiliation

Sand County Foundation

Title/Position

Vice President, Agricultural Research & Conservation

Bio

Publications as Task Force Chair

May 22, 2019
Issue Paper

Reducing the Impacts of Agricultural Nutrients on Water Quality across a Changing Landscape

U.S. agricultural productivity has doubled over the past 50 years, but water quality improvement has been minimal despite increased efficiency. This paper reviews the processes, conservation practices, and programs influencing agriculture's impact on surface and groundwater quality, examining the complexities of nutrient cycling, management trade-offs, and federal conservation program effectiveness. Key needs identified include more precise nutrient recommendations, improved water monitoring methods, novel conservation practices addressing dissolved nutrient loss, and greater cost-effectiveness through regional and industry collaboration.

Publications as Reviewer

May 15, 2024
Issue Paper

Impacts of Soil Health Practices on Hydrologic Processes

This paper synthesizes current research on the impacts of soil health practices—such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, and residue management—on hydrologic processes within agricultural and urban systems. These practices influence water infiltration, storage, and movement through the soil-water-atmosphere continuum, reducing runoff, erosion, and surface water contamination while potentially moderating flood risks.