Illinois NLRS Program and Project Narratives

Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources, STAR, is a free nationwide tool to assist farm operators and landowners in evaluating their nutrient and soil loss management practices on individual fields. STAR’s goal is to encourage the continued adoption of conservation practices and recognize farmers for their commitment to improved water quality and soil health. For more information, see www.starfreetool.com

The Nature Conservancy, TNC, in Illinois is engaged in working with partners on implementation and long-term water quality monitoring in the Mackinaw River watershed to understand how implementation of conservation practices affects water quality at multiple scales, and to gain insights related to outreach, practice delivery, and partnerships that can inform TNC and partner work on other programs and in priority watersheds. This work includes both critical edge-of-field practices – the design and efficacy of constructed wetlands to treat tile drainage water – and stacked infield and edge-of-field practices and their synergies for water quality. The TNC’s research provides hard data on practice design and efficiency of these farm bill conservation practices that address nutrients in tile drainage water. Key partners for the Mackinaw River watershed project include the McLean County Soil and Water Conservation District, McLean County Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Illinois State University. TNC has ongoing projects at the Franklin Research and Demonstration Farm in Lexington, and the Paired Watershed Study in the headwaters of the Mackinaw River. TNC also has con- ducted/hosted trainings on edge-of-field practices and, in 2021, published a roadmap for increasing the pace and scale of edge-of-field practice adoption and implementation. For more information, see www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/the-mackinaw-river-watershed.

The Precision Conservation Management program is an agricultural service program created to assist farmers with identifying the best management practices for their individual farming operations, conservation interests, and business goals. It is jointly managed by the Illinois Corn Growers Association and the Illinois Soybean Association. For more information, see www.precisionconservation.org.

Since 2012, the Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council has been Illinois agriculture’s primary investment into nutrient research. The Council is created by state statute and works closely with a variety of stakeholders across Illinois. It supports the Illinois NLRS through targeted research requests for proposals and investments as well as education and outreach. Focus areas include: applying and understanding the 4Rs, capturing excess nutrients in the field, mitigating loss of nutrients to water supplies, and studying other nutrient management issues. For more information see www.illinoisnrec.org.

New in 2021-22, the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association supports research on practices listed in the Illinois NLRS at permanent sites in Douglas County and Piatt County. This work is funded by the Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council. IFCA staff helps to manage all practices at these sites, including implementing and managing nutrient applications, crop protection applications, tillage practices and cover crop seeding. Tile monitoring structures are used at both sites, enabling further insight into nitrogen and phosphorus losses from differing agricultural practices researched.

The Saturated Buffer Partnership is a five-year collaboration between Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association Inc., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service. The purpose of this partnership is to support saturated buffer installation, water quality monitoring of the practice, and outreach events. For more information, see www.illica.net/projects or www.ilfb.org/nlrspractices.

Illinois Corn Growers Association believes in recognizing early adopters and finding ways to support growth of cover crop acres across the state. They partner with various organizations and companies to provide financial support to growers in the form of direct cost-share dollars and incentives. For more information, see Ilcorn.org/covercrops.

The Illinois Pork Producers Association offers a tree buffer cost-share program for swine producers who implement fresh landscaping on their farms. For more information see ilpork.com/farmers-care/ funding-opportunities/tree-buffer-grant-program

The Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association concluded its 4R Metric Survey – in reference to right source, right rate, right time, and right place nutrient management practices – in the summer of 2022. A questionnaire was sent to agricultural retail members with questions regarding varying nitrogen and phosphorus agricultural practices for fall and spring. Beginning with the fall of 2018 and concluding after the spring of 2022, the survey spanned four growing seasons. 

The Illinois Farm Bureau has prioritized building relationships and developing cooperative efforts with drinking water suppliers and wastewater treatment plants for a number of years. In 2021 and 2022, these efforts included several examples of supporting watershed planning and implementation projects, as well as co-hosting education and outreach opportunities. For more information, see www.ilfb.org/ruralurban.

The Illinois Soybean Association, in partnership with USDA-NRCS and others, offers financial incentives to producers transitioning to conservation practices that provide positive outcomes for carbon sequestration and water quality. Program expansion in 2021–22 made incentives available to producers in 17 Illinois counties.

The Edge-of-Field Partnership for Woodchip Bioreactors is a multi-year collaboration between Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association Inc., University of Illinois, and Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service. The goal of this partnership is to install a woodchip bioreactor each year and to support research into the impact of woodchip bioreactors on water quality at each site for the five-year collaboration period, and beyond. In previous years, the partnership has installed woodchip bioreactors in Bureau and Henry counties. 

In 2021, the partners finalized the installation of the fourth woodchip bioreactor in McDonough County. Due to extended project delays throughout 2021, the partners pushed back their in-person field day to July 2022. In November 2022, the partners installed the fifth woodchip bioreactor in Sangamon County, with plans to host a field day in summer 2023.

For more information, see www.illica.net/projects or www.ilfb.org/nlrspractices.  

The Illinois Farm Bureau is committed to highlighting the work our members are doing to reach NLRS goals and to improve soil health and water quality. To showcase these voluntary efforts, IFB video and environmental teams partnered with farmers, County Farm Bureaus, researchers, and other key stakeholders on a year-long effort to create an original documentary “Sustaining Our Future: A Farm Family Story.” For more information, see www.ilfb.org/documentary

American Farmland Trust provided leadership for the Upper Macoupin Creek Watershed Partnership, comprised of 15 federal, state, and local government partners, agricultural trade associations, environmental groups, agricultural retailers, and a local university. The goal of the partnership is to increase the use of conservation practices that reduce soil erosion and phosphorus loss in the watershed.

The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership is a non-profit member-based organization working collaboratively to encourage the adoption of sustainable and profitable production practices that improve soil health and restore local waters. By developing comprehensive programming, building a strong network of sustainable agriculture advocates, and sharing relevant research and resources, the partnership is committed to working together to support healthy soil, clean water, and profitable farms in Illinois. The organization invites conservation leaders to share their own conservation story by adding their pin to its new Conservation Story Map at ilsustainableag.org/conservation-story-map.

Updates on previously-reported NLRS programs and projects, such as the Advanced Conservation Drainage Training, Advanced Soil Health Training, and Soil Health and Conservation Drainage Specialist Network (Local Farmer-Led Networks), and Illinois Alphabet Soup Group, can be found at www.ilsustainableag.org.

Working to promote awareness and education of the NLRS is key to helping ensure its goals are met. Offering a water testing initiative contest to Future Farmers of America chapters across the state not only helps build overall awareness but also helps the next generation of farmers and industry professionals examine the issues facing Illinois agriculture. This program was previously offered by the Illinois Corner Growers Association as Free Confidential Water Testing Program with Illinois Future Farmers of American and County Farm Bureaus. The program shifted focus toward this educational initiative in partnership with Illinois Soybean Association.

Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association continues to work toward nutrient loss reduction to surface water supply reservoirs across central Illinois. In 2021–22, partnerships with the Sangamon County Soil and Water Conservation District and Springfield City Water, Light, and Power continued to track metrics and provide education and outreach to stakeholders in the Lake Springfield and Lake Decatur watersheds.

The Nitrogen Rate Trials program is coordinated and managed by the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association in partnership with University of Illinois and the Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council. Since 2014, ongoing trials have helped to provide nitrogen recommendations through the Maximum Return To Nitrogen Calculator. An expanded partnership with Precision Conservation Management, retailers, and producers throughout Illinois will implement new trial protocols and approaches to integrating weather, soil, and yield data with hopes of improving the MRTN approach to nitrogen management. For more information, see ifca.com/4R/Trials.

New in this Biennial Report, the ILSoyAdvisor agronomy team and website resources provide expert agronomic and management advice for Illinois soybean production. Funded by the Illinois Soybean Association checkoff program, it provides education, outreach, networking, and technical assistance on a variety of practices recommended by the NLRS. For more information, see www.ilsoyadvisor.com.

The Illinois Buffer Partnership promotes and provides cost-share funding to the voluntary conservation efforts of Illinois farmers and landowners with the goal of improving water, air, and soil quality. Buffer projects help to reduce erosion, sequester carbon, provide wildlife and pollinator habitat, and can also create additional income for landowners. This program is a collaborative partnership of Trees Forever, GROWMARK, state and federal government agencies, Trees Forever members, and participating landowners. For more information, see treesforever.org/illinois_buffer_partnership.

The Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association’s Keep it 4R Crop program is based on principles of 4R nutrient stewardship: use the right nutrient source, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place. IFCA works closely with its members, including fertilizer manufacturers, distributors, and agricultural retailers, to promote the 4Rs and uphold the IFCA 4R Code of Practice, which promotes education and adoption of specific fertilizer management practices designed to reduce nutrient losses and assure nutrient use by the crop.

New in 2022, an Illinois Ag Retailer Survey and data collection processes were planned to capture farm management with regards to agricultural practices recommended by the NLRS. This project is spearheaded by Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association, with support from many other agricultural organizations. The Illinois Ag Retailer Survey will replace the 4R Metrics Survey. The first data collection period was initiated in spring 2023.

Illinois’ livestock industry is dedicated to addressing environmental protection through regulatory programs, industry-led educational initiatives, and publicly funded programs. Illinois Farm Bureau continues to distribute resources that provide members with a first step toward understanding whether and how environmental rules and regulations impact their operations. For more information, see ilfb.org/FarmGate.

IL Corn worked to help develop a new crop insurance product to cover a farmer’s risk from being unable to get an in-season application of nitrogen. Post Application Coverage Endorsement, PACE, protects a farmer if a planned in-season application of nitrogen (V3-V10) cannot be made due to unfavorable conditions. For more information, see pacecropinsurance.com.

The Nutrient Stewardship Grant Program is a cornerstone of Illinois Farm Bureau’s overall NLRS implementation efforts. Since 2015, more than $1 million has been committed to the program. In addition, it has provided other significant resources for county Farm Bureau and farmer member-led nutrient stewardship projects. To date, funds have been awarded to 138 projects across 74 Illinois counties. Projects have often involved a wide array of partners who provide additional expertise to individual projects. For more information, see www.ilfb.org/FieldDays.

New in 2021–22, the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association partnered with the 4R Field Day Alliance, Precision Planting, producer Eric Miller, the Nutrient Research & Education Council, and University of Illinois researchers to host a public field day to highlight practices that reduce nutrient loss conservation practices and nutrient management systems.

Watershed planning efforts in Illinois EPA priority watersheds continued to be a significant area of focus for Illinois Farm Bureau and County Farm Bureaus across the state. IFB’s work in this area often included providing technical, financial, and outreach support to these efforts. By working closely with CFBs and their local communities, IFB is also able to help ensure farmer and landowner feedback is brought to watershed planning initiatives.

American Farmland Trust is collaborating with Argonne National Laboratory to broaden crop diversification and farm resiliency efforts in Illinois. This project will explore opportunities to support the Illinois agricultural community through the adoption and utilization of perennial bioenergy crops. These opportunities aim to provide economic and environmental resiliency to farms while reducing nutrient loss. For more information, see farmland.org/illinois-perennial-bioenergy-crop-diversification-project.

The Illinois Corn Growers Precision Conservation Management team has been working with participating farmers in the 5-Year Soil Health Transition program to complete new enrollments and to prepare current participants for adapting to soil health management systems. Conservation specialists work with each farmer to evaluate the financial and logistical details of implementing new management practices. For more information, see www.precisionconservation.org

The Vermilion Headwaters Watershed Partnership is a group of stakeholders, including farmers, community leaders, government agencies, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations working to reduce the loss of nitrogen from farmland in the watershed. The adoption of conservation cropping systems, such as reduced tillage, cover crops, nutrient management, and tile water treatment, can help protect water quality and improve a farmer’s bottom line. Key partners include American Farmland Trust, The Wetlands Initiative, NRCS – Pontiac Office, Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District, Northwater Consulting, Precision Conservation Management, and Compeer Financial. For more information, see farmland.org/vhw.

The Illinois Cover Crop Initiative, ICCI, is a partnership between American Farmland Trust, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, ADM. ICCI provides financial incentives to Illinois farmers planting cover crops. Additional incentives are available for ADM customers to implement no-till and/or provide data for emissions scoring. For more information, see farmland.org/icci.

New in 2022, the Carbon and Data Guidebook was made available at www.ilsoyadvisor.com. It provides Illinois producers with carbon and ecosystem markets and program enrollment information. The guidebook features CarbonSense information and tips for transitioning to soil health-focused management systems. For more information see www.ilsoyadvisor.com/carbon-data-guidebook.

In 2020, the Illinois Corn Growers Association used a grant from the Illinois Council on Best Management Practices to conduct a targeted awareness campaign promoting conservation lease addendums developed with University of Illinois Farmdoc. These customizable addendums help tenants and landowners incorporate nutrient management, soil health, and conservation habitat practices into farm leases. Outreach through mailings, media campaigns, and webinars reached tens of thousands and resulted in more than 2,000 unique views of the addendums on the Farmdoc website.

The Illinois Pork Producers Association offers a tree buffer cost-share program for swine producers who implement fresh landscaping on their farms. For more information see ilpork.com/farmers-care/ funding-opportunities/tree-buffer-grant-program

Precision Conservation Management (PCM), launched in 2016 by ICGA and ISA, helps farmers adopt conservation practices while maintaining profitability. Working with over 350 farmers and 30+ partners, PCM provides one-on-one support, data-driven insights, and financial guidance. Its platform analyzes environmental and economic impacts across 825,000 acres. From 2019–2020, PCM practices reduced nutrient and sediment losses significantly, including 1.2 million lbs of nitrate-N and 250,000 tons of sediment.

In summer 2019, the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts hosted four regional Soil Health and Cover Crop workshops in Sycamore, Galesburg, Decatur, and Mt. Vernon, with 136 total attendees. The sessions aimed to promote cover crop adoption and soil health practices among Illinois agricultural producers through a cover crop insurance rewards program. Workshops brought together Soil and Water Conservation District directors and staff to support implementation and outreach efforts statewide.

Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources, STAR, is a free nationwide tool to assist farm operators and landowners in evaluating their nutrient and soil loss management practices on individual fields. STAR’s goal is to encourage the continued adoption of conservation practices and recognize farmers for their commitment to improved water quality and soil health. For more information, see www.starfreetool.com

The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership is a non-profit member-based organization working collaboratively to encourage the adoption of sustainable and profitable production practices that improve soil health and restore local waters. By developing comprehensive programming, building a strong network of sustainable agriculture advocates, and sharing relevant research and resources, the partnership is committed to working together to support healthy soil, clean water, and profitable farms in Illinois. The organization invites conservation leaders to share their own conservation story by adding their pin to its new Conservation Story Map at ilsustainableag.org/conservation-story-map.

Updates on previously-reported NLRS programs and projects, such as the Advanced Conservation Drainage Training, Advanced Soil Health Training, and Soil Health and Conservation Drainage Specialist Network (Local Farmer-Led Networks), and Illinois Alphabet Soup Group, can be found at www.ilsustainableag.org. 

ISAP’s Advanced Soil Health Training was developed to build expertise among farmers, advisers, retailers, and conservation professionals on the science and management of soil health. Topics include soil structure, chemistry, and biology; cover crops; planting and tillage equipment; field demonstrations; and outreach strategies. The 18‑month program combines classroom and in‑field training and encourages graduates to share knowledge through field days and presentations. Cohorts completed training in central Illinois (2019) and the tri‑state region (2020), with a bi‑state cohort beginning in 2020.

Illinois Corn Growers Association believes in recognizing early adopters and finding ways to support growth of cover crop acres across the state. They partner with various organizations and companies to provide financial support to growers in the form of direct cost-share dollars and incentives. For more information, see Ilcorn.org/covercrops. 

American Farmland Trust provided leadership for the Upper Macoupin Creek Watershed Partnership, comprised of 15 federal, state, and local government partners, agricultural trade associations, environmental groups, agricultural retailers, and a local university. The goal of the partnership is to increase the use of conservation practices that reduce soil erosion and phosphorus loss in the watershed. 

Leadership for Midwestern Watersheds (LMW), led by AFT and partners, is a forum that brings together professionals working to reduce agricultural runoff in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Since 2011, it has held 12 meetings to promote collaboration, share knowledge, and improve water quality outcomes. Annual meetings focus on farmer engagement, conservation practices, and measuring results. LMW also supports ongoing learning through surveys, digital platforms, and networking, helping watershed leaders exchange tools, ideas, and strategies across the Midwest.

The Vermilion Headwaters Watershed Partnership is a group of stakeholders, including farmers, community leaders, government agencies, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations working to reduce the loss of nitrogen from farmland in the watershed. The adoption of conservation cropping systems, such as reduced tillage, cover crops, nutrient management, and tile water treatment, can help protect water quality and improve a farmer’s bottom line. Key partners include American Farmland Trust, The Wetlands Initiative, NRCS – Pontiac Office, Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District, Northwater Consulting, Precision Conservation Management, and Compeer Financial. For more information, see farmland.org/vhw. 

The Saturated Buffer Partnership is a five-year collaboration between Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association Inc., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service. The purpose of this partnership is to support saturated buffer installation, water quality monitoring of the practice, and outreach events. For more information, see www.illica.net/projects or www.ilfb.org/nlrspractices. 

The Edge-of-Field Partnership for Woodchip Bioreactors is a multi-year collaboration between Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association Inc., University of Illinois, and Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service. The goal of this partnership is to install a woodchip bioreactor each year and to support research into the impact of woodchip bioreactors on water quality at each site for the five-year collaboration period, and beyond. In previous years, the partnership has installed woodchip bioreactors in Bureau and Henry counties. 

In 2021, the partners finalized the installation of the fourth woodchip bioreactor in McDonough County. Due to extended project delays throughout 2021, the partners pushed back their in-person field day to July 2022. In November 2022, the partners installed the fifth woodchip bioreactor in Sangamon County, with plans to host a field day in summer 2023.

For more information, see www.illica.net/projects or www.ilfb.org/nlrspractices.  

The Nutrient Stewardship Grant Program is a cornerstone of Illinois Farm Bureau’s overall NLRS implementation efforts. Since 2015, more than $1 million has been committed to the program. In addition, it has provided other significant resources for county Farm Bureau and farmer member-led nutrient stewardship projects. To date, funds have been awarded to 138 projects across 74 Illinois counties. Projects have often involved a wide array of partners who provide additional expertise to individual projects. For more information, see www.ilfb.org/FieldDays. 

Watershed planning efforts in Illinois EPA priority watersheds continued to be a significant area of focus for Illinois Farm Bureau and County Farm Bureaus across the state. IFB’s work in this area often included providing technical, financial, and outreach support to these efforts. By working closely with CFBs and their local communities, IFB is also able to help ensure farmer and landowner feedback is brought to watershed planning initiatives. 

The Illinois Farm Bureau has prioritized building relationships and developing cooperative efforts with drinking water suppliers and wastewater treatment plants for a number of years. In 2021 and 2022, these efforts included several examples of supporting watershed planning and implementation projects, as well as co-hosting education and outreach opportunities. For more information, see www.ilfb.org/ruralurban.

The Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association’s Keep it 4R Crop program is based on principles of 4R nutrient stewardship: use the right nutrient source, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place. IFCA works closely with its members, including fertilizer manufacturers, distributors, and agricultural retailers, to promote the 4Rs and uphold the IFCA 4R Code of Practice, which promotes education and adoption of specific fertilizer management practices designed to reduce nutrient losses and assure nutrient use by the crop. 

The Illinois Buffer Partnership, led by Trees Forever, supports farmers, landowners, and communities in installing and maintaining conservation buffers that reduce erosion, improve water and soil quality, and enhance wildlife habitat. Participants may receive funding, technical assistance, and outreach opportunities. The program has supported dozens of projects statewide, promoting conservation practices, native plant use, and environmental education.