ISU Extension adds ag climatologist specialist to list of services


Madelynn Wuestenberg
CELEBRATING NATIONAL AG WEEK
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     There is a new face serving Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

   Madelynn Wuestenberg, an ISU grad herself, took on the role of agricultural climatologist specialist at the start of 2024.

   Based out of the ISU campus in Ames, Wuestenberg engages with other Extension offices across Iowa.

   “So far that has been through presenting at regional talks and conferences hosted by various specialists,” she said. “I hope to continue working with county offices to provide climate-related programming and other information.”

   This is the first time ISU Extension has brought someone on board with this title and job responsibilities.

   “It’s super exciting!” admitted Wuestenberg. “I am the first agricultural climatologist specialist with full-time Extension responsibilities, which means I have a great capacity for meeting the needs of ISU and serving the public.”

   She also collaborates with the USDA Midwest Climate Hub and Justin Glisan, the Iowa climatologist through the Department of Ag and Land Stewardship.

   Wuestenberg earned her bachelor’s degree in meteorology with a minor in agronomy from ISU. She remained in Ames to earn her master’s in agricultural meteorology.

   “For my master’s research, I focused on agro-ecosystem modeling and understanding how future climates may effect crop production in Iowa,” she shared.

   Wuestenberg said her role with ISU Extension helps to bridge the gap between research, climate tools, and the public.

   “My goal is to help people find the resources they need when it comes to weather and climate. I’m really excited about data and finding useful ways to show patterns, while also connecting data to ‘real-life’ experiences and observations. It’s my job to understand weather predictions and climate outlooks and put them into context for the ag industry.”

   Right now, the State of Iowa is experiencing a drought, which Wuestenberg said has been a popular topic because it “directly effects both the farming industry and individuals in Iowa.

   “It has been observed that is warmer now compared to historical averages,” continued Wuestenberg. “We can expect that warming trend to continue.”

   In the same respect, she said Iowa has also experienced more yearly rainfall; however, that rain is not occurring when it’s needed the most. She said the rain events are also more intense than what history has shown.

   “Researchers continue to help us understand future impacts, and I’m here to help the ag industry understand and adjust to changes. We can be reactive, but my hope is to help people be proactive.”

   Wuestenberg’s interest in weather and climatology stems from an incident that occurred as a child. Her family was visiting her grandparent’s farm in Kansas when it was hit by a tornado. She said she wanted to know why these weather phenomena occur and how to help people when they do.

   “This interest and my love for the ag community led me to start a job during college helping with data collection for a bioenergy institute. Through this experience, I learned about how the decisions we make about what we grow can influence the climate and weather, and the climate and weather also influence those crops.”

   Wuestenberg said she’s still learning herself, and learns a lot from the Iowans she meets every day.

   “I’m really looking forward to expanding my knowledge on diverse cropping systems, aside from corn and soybeans,” she offered.

   Wuestenberg can be reached at mjwues@iastate.edu.

 

 

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