As we close out another year, The Water Table looks back on the conversations that shaped 2025. In this special "2025 Wrapped" episode, we’ve curated highlights from our most impactful discussions—from Ducks Unlimited to the high-tech future of drainage modeling.

Host Jamie Duininck and guest host Trey Allis revisit stories of multi-generational family businesses, the critical role of recycled plastics in pipe manufacturing, and the evolving mindset around water as a resource to be managed rather than a problem to be solved. Whether discussing the effects of tariffs on agriculture or the rigorous licensing of contractors in Ontario, this year has been a testament to the growth and professionalism of our industry.

Join us for this retrospective as we celebrate another year in Ag water management.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome to 2025 Wrapped
00:14 - John Schwartz: Vision and Teamwork in the Swine Industry
01:19 - Samantha Ewald: Wetlands as the Kidneys of the Earth
03:03 - Jamie Duininck: The Minnesota State Fair Experience
03:50 - Lauren Lewandowski Hamer: Recycling and Local Manufacturing in Minnesota
04:32 - Jamie Duininck: The Backbone of the Drainage Industry
04:50 - Tim & Pattie Krengel: Multi-Generational Legacies
06:01 - Toban Dyck: Agriculture Across the Great Plains
07:41 - Chad Klotzbach: Managing Water Quality and Quantity
08:43 - Jamie Duininck: The First Ever Water Table Live
10:59 - Mel Luymes: Legislation and Licensing in Ontario
12:24 - Karl Guetter: Insights on the 2024 and 2025 Seasons
13:14 - Chuck Brandel: LiDAR Drones and Cost-Effective Modeling

Episodes Featured in 2025 Wrapped:

• 118: Accidental Advocate for the Drainage Industry
• 119: Revolutionizing Drainage: Improving Infrastructure with Technology
• 121: Navigating the Challenges & Opportunities of Being a Farmer
• 122: Drainage in Ontario: Balancing Agriculture & the Environment.
• 123: Drainage Contractors' Questions Answered - Live!
• 124: Who Pays? The Impact of Tariffs on U.S. and Canadian Ag
• 126: From the Ground Up: A Legacy of Breaking Barriers & Land Stewardship
• 131: Schwartz Farms: A Business Built On Shared Purpose & Embracing Change
• 132: Ducks Unlimited: Balancing Wetland Conservation & Agricultural Production
• 135: A Fair Deal: Recycling & Giving Plastics New Life

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In the quest for better water quality, farmers and city residents share a vital common goal: protecting our shared water resources by managing runoff. Host Jamie Duininck speaks with Ann Zawistoski and Sophie Wicklund of the Adopt-a-Drain program to draw a direct line between agricultural and urban water management practices. Just as farmers use practices like buffer strips, bioreactors, and controlled drainage to minimize nutrient loss, our “city cousins" clean their local storm drains to prevent urban pollutants like leaves and debris from entering waterways.

Adopt-a-Drain empowers the public to take responsibility for stormwater management, recognizing that urban stormwater runoff is a major source of water pollution. The program encourages residents to adopt a storm drain near their home and clean it just twice a month. This simple, hands-on approach transforms the public's understanding of their impact on the watershed, leading to broader behavioral changes. The collective results prove the power of individual action, with over 30,000 adopted drains and nearly one million pounds of debris removed across the country. Tune in to discover the powerful parallels between urban and agricultural water quality practices and how community engagement is successfully working toward clean water for everyone.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:36 Adopt-a-Drain Guest Introductions
01:57 The Urban Stormwater Challenge
04:00 How the Adopt-a-Drain Program Works
05:40 Nearly 1 Million Pounds of Debris Removed
06:35 Behavior Change
07:50 Adopt-a-Drain's Origins and Inspiration
10:52 Why Small, Frequent Cleanings Make a Big Difference
13:56 Engaging Participants Year-Round
15:53 Funding and Partnerships
19:42 The Parallels to Ag Water Management
25:39 Expanding the Movement

Related Content:

• #138 | Set It & Forget It... Making Controlled Water Management Accessible with Agri Drain
• #56 | A More Efficient Approach to Water Quality: Batch and Build
• #14 | Opportunities in Water Quality
• Adopt-a-Drain

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Visit our website to explore more episodes & water management education.

Who can help with funding water quality practices on your land? Guest Host Trey Allis sits down with Rita Weaver, Chief Engineer at the Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR), to discuss soil health, water management practices, and water-quality programs happening throughout the state. They break down specific projects, funding, and tools helping producers take on water and soil challenges. Learn how opportunities with conservation — adding practices in the right place at the right time — are making an impact.

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:33 - Welcome to The Water Table podcast
00:40 - Introducing Rita Weaver
01:57 - Chief Engineer Role at BWSR
03:05 - Agency Impact on Water Quality
03:52 - Major Projects and Funding (Where’s The Money Going)
05:05 - Opportunities With Improvement Projects
08:15 - Larger Scale Conservation Practices and Improvements
08:51 - BWSR Water Quality and Storage Program
09:46 - Funding: Grant Application Process
10:52 - Future Funding: How Far Will Funding Go
13:35 - Storage Practice End Goal
14:45 - What Does Soil Health Mean To You
17:02 - The Effect of Too Much Water, Too Little Water
18:00 - Water Quality Issues and Solutions
22:20 - How Flooding Affects High Benefitting Areas
24:09 - Did You Always Want To Work For BWSR
27:07 - Thank You Rita
27:30 - How To Contact BWSR
27:50 - Wrap-up

Related content:

• #132 | Ducks Unlimited: Balancing Wetland Conservation & Agricultural Production
• #114 | Crumbling Ag Drainage Infrastructure = Unique Upgrade Opportunities
• #87 | Who Supports the Boots on the Ground!?! (Hint: it’s LICA)… On the Road
• #77 | How 5 Million Dollars, 39 Test Sites & 29 Bright Minds are Transforming Drainage

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Listen on these podcast platforms:

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Visit our website to explore more episodes & water management education.