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.

  • Illinois Cover Crop Programs: 2017-18 Update

    Dec 1, 2019 12:00 pm by Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Team2019 Biennial ReportCost ShareNon-point Sources

    In the fall of 2015, Beck’s Hybrids began offering Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) members opportunities to share expenses that are associated with the initial adoption of cover crops. The programs facilitate cover crop adoption among farmers who are interested in this practice but who are hesitant to get started.

    Farmers can access three cover crop programs (www.ilcorn.org/covercrops):

    • 1st Time Cover Croppers: through ICGA and Beck’s Hybrids partnership, this cost-share program provides aerial applications of up to 40 acres per farm of a winter terminal (low risk) oats and radish cover crop mixture. It includes technical assistance from Beck’s Hybrids cover crop specialists.
    • Experienced Cover Croppers: through an ICGA and Beck’s Hybrids partnership, this cost-share program offers discounts on overwintering cover crop mixtures as incentives for farmers to grow cover crops on their 40-acre fields for multiple years. This program includes technical assistance from Beck’s Hybrids cover crop specialists.
    • Cover Crop Coupon: through a partnership of seven Midwest cover crop retailers, this coupon pro-vides ICGA members a discount of $150–$200 on the purchase of cover crop seed.

    Illinois Corn Growers Association is an ardent supporter of cover crops, developing and leading pro-grams for ICGA members that have resulted in the planting of more than 80,000 cover crop acres over the past four growing seasons in Illinois.