The transport and transformation of N at all scales is of paramount importance to humans. Not only is N crucial for our survival, being a central building block in protein, but N can also be toxic when found in high concentrations in the wrong locations. This work focuses on the importance of the place of N at three distinct scales. 1.) At the seedling root system scale we examined the effects of the concentration of N on causing symptoms of root toxicity, and found increasing ammoniacal-N to increase the symptoms of toxicity to roots. 2.) At the field scale, cover cropping and reduced tillage where assessed for their potential to decrease soil NO3- leaching and increase of N exportation efficiency. 3.) At the national scale a research project database was used to assess the amount of research that has gone into the development of best management practices.