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Shaping the future: NRCS North Dakota celebrates Engineers Week
Publish Date
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) North Dakota is celebrating Engineers Week from Feb. 16-22, 2025, as part of a national effort to inspire future engineers and recognize the vital role of engineering in conservation.
BISMARCK, N.D. – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) North Dakota is celebrating Engineers Week from Feb. 16-22, 2025, as part of a national effort to inspire future engineers and recognize the vital role of engineering in conservation.
Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers in 1951, Engineers Week promotes a diverse and well-educated workforce by fostering interest in engineering and technology careers. This year’s theme, Design Your Future, highlights the importance of innovation and encourages the next generation to dream big.
“The work of engineers has shaped agriculture and conservation for over a century,” said Christi Fisher, P.E., NRCS North Dakota State Conservation Engineer. “From early irrigation studies to erosion control and flood prevention, NRCS engineers have played a critical role in protecting our natural resources. I can’t wait to see what the next generation of engineers will accomplish.”
NRCS encourages employees and their families to participate in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) activities throughout the week. The American Society of Civil Engineers provides eight engineering challenges that can be done at home using common household items. Families are invited to submit photos of their activities to Chris Maestas by March 3, to be showcased in the NRCS publications. The photo that best captures a family STEM activity will receive a prize basket.
In addition, several STEM events are taking place across North Dakota, including:
Discover Engineering - Feb. 22, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kirkwood Mall, Bismarck (Free event, no registration required)
STEMTastic - March 3, 9:10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the University of Jamestown (Registration required)
“This week is a great opportunity to celebrate engineering and inspire young minds,” said Fisher. “Whether through hands-on STEM activities or attending local events, we hope to spark curiosity and encourage the problem solvers of tomorrow.”
Cassie Ahmed, NRCS North Dakota Agricultural Engineer, conducts an inspection of a perimeter tile on an agricultural waste pond. NRCS North Dakota is celebrating Engineers Week from Feb. 16-22, 2025, as part of a national effort to inspire future engineers and recognize the vital role of engineering in conservation.
Kate Sobolik (left), NRCS North Dakota NE Area Engineer, surveys a field site with the help of Tory Nygaard (center), NRCS North Dakota NE Engineering Technician, and Dan Julson (right), NRCS North Dakota NW Area Engineer.
Jon Petersen, NRCS North Dakota Hydraulics and Hydrology Engineer, surveys channel cross sections along the Tongue River. “A river is always right there to tell you if you got it right or not, because if not, it will transition back to its natural and stable form, providing an ecological haven for wildlife and people,” Petersen said. NRCS conducts annual measurements at identical locations to track channel incision, bank erosion, and geomorphological changes over time.
Kate Staley, NRCS North Dakota Geotechnical Engineer, installing vibrating wire piezometers with Pipestem. “I had a great mentor while I was with Terracon, Brian Williams, who advocated against the one-size-fits-all solution mentality. Or in his words, before you begin to design a solution to a problem, you need to understand what the geology is telling you the problem is.”
Erica Althoff, NRCS North Dakota SE Area Engineer, and Dr. Dean Steele P.E., Associate Professor at NDSU, setting up soil moisture sensor equipment at NDSU’s irrigation research site.
Scott Kelch, NRCS North Dakota SE Engineering Technician, checking out solar panels and above ground storage tanks on a livestock watering system.
Christi Fisher, NRCS North Dakota State Conservation Engineer surveying on the Little Pembina River. “USDA engineers have a long legacy of important contributions to U.S. agriculture. In 1898, we were charged to complete irrigation investigations to aid in the settlement of western states, 1903 we started doing hydrology and hydraulic studies, 1933 we led CCC camp workers in erosion control project work, 1938 started to assist individual famers with erosion control, and in 1953 we started work on flood control projects including over 200 dams in North Dakota. Since then, our work has branched out to include water quality improvement work on confined animal feeding operations, irrigation efficiency projects, fish passage/stream habitat restoration, water systems to support grazing land improvement, and energy efficiency projects. What will the next generation of USDA engineers do? I can’t wait to find out!”
