Michelle Wander Associate Professor

I am interested in agroecology and agricultural sustainability. This is why I study the influence of management (tillage and cover crops, perennials, organic farming systems; crop rotation and fertilization) on soils, organic matter and system performance with emphasis on nutrient cycling, plant-soil relations, roots and physical protection of organic matter, soil conservation and alternative methods for soil testing. My work includes: the valuation of standards and metrics for ecosystem services and agricultural sustainability as well as work in urban and rural settings to advance nutrient testing, budgeting, life cycle analysis, conservation assessment tools used by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Areas of Expertise

Soil Quality

Carbon Sequestration

Organic Matter Management

Agronomy/Agroecology

Soil Science and Conservation

Sustainable Agriculture

Organic Agriculture

Sustainability Metrics

Agricultural Life Cycle

Faculty and Staff

Michelle M. Wander

Associate Professor/NRES Graduate Student Coordinator/Director of the Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Program

Contact Information
N-225 Turner Hall, MC-047
1102 South Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: 217-333-9471
Email: mwander@illinois.edu

Professional Affiliations
Soil Science Society of America
Committee for Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Ecological Society of America Soil Ecological Society
Inter-Institutional Network for Food, Agriculture and Sustainability

Website
http://michelle-wander.info/

Courses

NRES 438 - Soil Nutrient Cycling: a laboratory/discussion course
NRES 499 - Scholarship of Sustainability
NRES 586 - Soil Organic Matter: a lecture course for graduate students
NRES 594 - NRES Professional Orientation

Extension Programs
Please see website