Dr. Jessica Davis

Research Interests

My research focuses on environmental impacts from animal agriculture. Our work is geared towards solving problems using an integrated, multi-disciplinary team approach. Specifically, we aim to protect water and air quality while improving soil quality through high-value manure uses. Recent projects have focused on topdressing composted manure onto turf to increase infiltration and water retention and using manure to restore eroded farmland. In addition, we work on phosphorus and antibiotic transport from manured fields and develop and evaluate management practices to reduce these impacts. I am the coordinator of the Animal Environmental Systems component of the College of Agriculture Strategic Plan. The systems approach from feeding practices through engineering and agronomy and including economic and social aspects makes this an exciting program to be a part of!

Teaching Responsibilities

I am the coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Program in Organic Agriculture. In this role, I advise Soil & Crop Sciences undergraduates in the program and teach:

• SC171/H171 Environmental Issues in Agriculture
  and co-teach:
• H345/SC345 Diagnosis and Treatment in Organic Fields and
• SC424/H424 Topics in Organic Agriculture.
  This is a brand new program, and we are excited to get it off the ground and develop internship opportunities and experiential learning components. In addition, we are hoping to develop foreign exchange programs in organic agriculture (probably in France and Costa Rica).

In addition, I teach manure management courses:

• AN300-W Equine Manure Management,
• AN448/SC448 Manure Management and the Environment, and
• AN548/SC548 Issues in Manure Management.
  

Extension & Outreach

My extension program is focused on livestock and the environment, as well. We partner with the Colorado Livestock Association, the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to help livestock producers protect the environment. We participate in the National Learning Center for Animal Agriculture Water Quality Issues and lead the extension water quality program in EPA Region 8 (ND, SD, MT, WY, UT, and CO) in this area. Right now, we are developing two new programs: the Rocky Mountain Compost School and Manure Management Curriculum for 4-H.