NACADE 2025 recap
The 2025 North American Conservation & Drainage Expo (NACADE) in Indianapolis, Indiana, brought together industry leaders, researchers and professionals to discuss the latest advancements in water management. This was the second biennial event, founded by Jason and Justin Brown, brothers and owners of Mid America Trenchers from Dexter, Iowa, along with Brad Baker with Springfield Plastics. Mid America produces the Buckeye line of wheel trenchers and Link drainage plows.
Field Journal: Nature’s Tough Lessons
Out in the wild, nature’s not just a nice view—it’s the ultimate teacher of hard, honest lessons. For those of us who spend our days working under the open sky, nature’s got some straightforward advice on living simpler and stronger. Here’s what the great outdoors can teach us about cutting the clutter and finding real grit.
Field Journal: Lead by Example
Being a leader goes beyond wearing a suit and tie and walking around with a clipboard. True leadership comes down to traits, habits and practices that motivate others to follow your lead—often without a single command.
Advancing Drainage Science
The Transforming Drainage Project, an initiative from 2015 to 2021, has left an revolutionary mark on agricultural drainage practices across the Midwest. This groundbreaking endeavor, driven by a multidisciplinary team of experts and supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, introduced innovative drainage strategies addressing critical environmental and agricultural challenges.
The Rise of HDPP Pipe
The world of water management is continuously evolving, with materials like high-density polypropylene (HDPP) expanding the role of plastic pipe in demanding applications. Rather than replacing high-density polyethylene (HDPE), HDPP offers a solution for situations where HDPE may not be the best fit, taking on projects traditionally handled by concrete or metal.
Buffalo Ridge Metalworks
Just north of Brookings, South Dakota, Buffalo Ridge Metalworks operates as a unique blend of community, craftsmanship and innovation. With a small but mighty team of seven full-time employees, this metal manufacturing business has spent the past decade creating custom solutions for a wide range of industries.
Williamson Pipe Supply
Williamson Pipe Supply sits just south of Nashville’s concerts and nightlife in Franklin, Tennessee—a place as famous for its country music stars as its rolling hills. Led by Barry Saucier and his tight-knit team of five, this humble pipe supply company focuses on one thing: doing right by their employees and customers.
ADMC Corner with Keegan Kult 2025
Another check-in with Keegan Kult, Executive Director for ADMC, yielded some exciting updates for the drainage water management industry.
Blueprint for Success: Shaping Your Own Path
The road to becoming who you want to be isn’t an easy one. It’s marked by hard work, setbacks and challenges that will test you at every turn. Marshall’s words remind us that success doesn’t come to those who wait for it—it’s built by those who roll up their sleeves and press on, no matter how tough it gets.
Meet Brooks Schoon
For Brooks Schoon, success is built one small decision at a time. As Facilities Manager at Fratco’s St. Anne location, Brooks brings the same level of dedication to his work that he’s honed on the court playing college basketball for Aurora University. A St. Anne native, Brooks’ journey with Fratco began in 2020, and his rise through the ranks reflects the payoff of putting in work where it’s needed.