My name is Chris Bandura, the Statewide Conservation Cropping Outreach Specialist with UW Madison, Division of Extension. I joined the Extension team in August of 2023, and am based out of my home office in the Wausau, WI area. The focus of my work throughout the state is centered on promoting the adoption of conservation cropping practices including reduced and no-till and cover cropping, and evaluating the intersection of conservation practices and nitrogen management. Additionally, bringing context to farmers and consultants about what some of the common soil health metrics “mean” is another priority. My current research and outreach efforts are focused on legume cover crop N credits to corn when planted in the summer following small grain harvest. Prior to joining Extension, I spent the last 7 years managing an agronomy testing laboratory in Stratford, WI for Dairyland Laboratories and AgSource Laboratories. My educational background consists of a B.S. in Soil and Land Management from UW-Stevens Point and an M.S. in Soil Science from UW-Madison.