Ryan Soderlin | Flatwater Free Press

Farmer Jason Othmer operates a combine as he harvests corn near Vesta, an unincorporated community in Johnson County, on Oct. 18. Two dozen experts broadly agree that Nebraska agriculture needs to take voluntary steps, like more education, more technology and less use of harmful farming practices, in order to reduce the level of nitrate seeping into the drinking water. But that consensus breaks down when more aggressive steps, like a mandate that would cap fertilizer use, are discussed.