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.

  • Nutrient Stewardship Grant Program: 2017-18 Update

    Dec 1, 2019 12:00 pm by Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Team2019 Biennial ReportAgricultureEducationNetworkingNon-point SourcesResearch

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    • Farm Bureau
    • Photo Courtesy: Laura Christianson
    • Corn
    Farm Bureau

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    The Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) Nutrient Steward-ship Grant Program continues to demonstrate success in farmer-led, local projects addressing nutrient loss. Each year, the IFB Board of Directors commits $100,000 to this four-year old program. From this, County Farm Bureaus receive grants to work with local partners to address farmer needs and answer their questions regarding best practices for nutrient loss reduction (www.ilfb.org/take-action/current-pri-orities/protecting-our-environment/water-quality/).

    In 2017, 18 projects in 22 counties were awarded funding, including partnerships with university researchers (some funded by the Nutrient Research and Education Council), agricultural retailers, SWCDs, local USDA offices, and many others. In 2018, 17 projects in 20 counties were funded; they included partnerships with private consultants, community colleges, and many others.

    Photo Courtesy: Laura Christianson

    Projects vary depending on local needs. For example, funding might support meetings and educational seminars as well as field day implementation and BMP demonstrations for reducing nutrient loss. Funded research includes data collection and analysis on the long-term impacts of practices. Project partners implement practices featured in Illinois NLRS, ranging from in-field ones like nitrogen management and cover crops to edge-of-field practices like woodchip bioreactors.

    Since 2017, IFB and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC) have collaborated in many ways, including several farmer leader tours, meetings with MWRDGC leadership at the Stickney Plant, field days, and research collaboration at the MWRDGC Fulton County site.

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    Illinois Farm Bureau has also collaborated with several researchers at University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University Carbondale to identify farmers across the state interested in hosting on-farm research on saturated buffers, woodchip bioreactors, drainage water management, gypsum application, cover crops, struvite, and water and sediment control basins. The Illinois Farm Bureau also connects researchers with farmer audiences for education and outreach opportunities regarding ongoing research projects and findings.