Gary Sands

Gary Sands is a Professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering within the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota. His research focuses on agricultural drainage systems, water quality management, and climate-resilient farming practices, with particular expertise in subsurface drainage, nitrate-nitrogen loss modeling, and DRAINMOD applications.

His research spans Subsurface Drainage, Cold Climate Drainage Systems, Nitrate-Nitrogen Loss Modeling, and Drainage Water Management. Key contributions include developing saturated buffer systems for nitrate removal, optimizing drain spacing in Minnesota's agricultural landscapes, and modeling hydrologic impacts of drainage on corn-soybean rotations. His work directly addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean water and climate action.

Recent publications show strong trends in precision agriculture applications for nitrogen management, climate change adaptation in irrigation systems, and greenhouse gas emission quantification from agricultural practices. His research integrates field studies with advanced modeling (DRAINMOD-NII) to solve real-world drainage challenges in the Upper Midwest.

Dr. Sands has secured significant funding from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council, USDA, and USDOT. Key projects include Improved Design of Saturated Buffers (2017-2022), Quantifying Hydrologic Impacts of Drainage Under Corn Production (2014-2016), and Development of Logistics Systems for Woody Feedstocks (2012-2014).

He actively contributes to drainage education through workshops and extension services, translating research into practical farm management strategies. His drainage system research directly informs policy decisions for sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.