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Illinois NLRS Program and Project Narratives

This site features NGO partner program and project narratives, searchable by title, date, and categories. These narratives have been reported in the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) annual reports and updates. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all nutrient loss-related initiatives across Illinois.

The NLRS is a statewide, collaborative effort aimed at reducing the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus entering Illinois waterways. This page specifically highlights NGO-led efforts that have contributed to the strategy since 2023.

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  • Precision Conservation Management

    Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm by Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Team2023 Biennial ReportAgricultureCost ShareEducationNetworkingNon-point SourcesTechnical Assistance

    In response to the Illinois NLRS, Illinois Corn Growers Association developed Precision Conservation management, and Illinois Soybean Association joined as a full partner in 2020, making PCM the premiere nutrient loss reduction program working directly with farmers in Illinois. PCM is a service program designed to help farmers understand and manage risks associated with adopting new conservation practices, with the objective of helping farmers make sound financial decisions. The program evaluates conservation practices on both their impact to the environment and their impact to family farmer profitability. Through collaborations with more than 30 partners and the development of a farmer-friendly data collection platform, PCM offers one-on-one technical support to 375 farmers in Illinois, and an additional 100 farmers in Kentucky and Nebraska. As of 2022, PCM incentives reach more than 30 counties in Illinois, 10 in Kentucky, and five in Nebraska. Of these counties, 20 are eligible for USDA NRCS RCPP cost-share funds, a pool of funds that represents approximately one-third of the PCM incentives available to farmers. The balance of cost-share funds is available through other PCM partnerships depending on region. 

    PCM develops confidential yearly reports of each farmer’s environmental and financial strengths and weaknesses, offering data summaries demonstrating average financial and environmental metrics for different management systems represented in its database comprising more than 22,000 agricultural fields of Illinois cropland spanning seven years. In the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons, PCM farmers implemented or continued to implement reduced tillage, in-season nitrogen applications, and cover crop practices. These practice acreages and associated nutrient and sediment loss reductions are shown in Table 1. PCM offers participating farmers opportunities to receive financial and technical assistance for adopting new conservation practices. To learn more about PCM and to see the program summary and seven-year data highlights, visit ilcorn.org/pcm.

    For more information, see www.precisionconservation.org.