Mike Castellano uses a systems approach to better understand and manage the storage and flow of nutrients, carbon, and water throughout the crop-soil system. His primary objective is to improve agricultural productivity, profitability, and environmental performance. A range of stakeholders including government, NGOs, farmers, and industry regularly engage Mike to help advance sustainable crop production. His research has led to several significant public-private investments for the benefit of agriculture and the environment including the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative, which he leads. Mike earned a PhD from The Pennsylvania State University and is Professor of Agronomy and William T. Frankenberger Professor of Soil Science at Iowa State University.