blog posts

• Farm Gate

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Illinois Farm Bureau NLRS Priority Watershed Work

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• IFCA-supported NREC Projects

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Illinois Ag Retailer Survey

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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 Buffer Partnership

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• 5-Year Soil Health Transition

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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

• Illinois Cover Crop Initiative

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Illinois Cover Crop Programs

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Partnership

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• ILSoyAdvisor

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Keep it 4R Crop

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Edge-of-Field Partnership for Saturated Buffers

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Nitrogen Rate Trials

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Carbon and Ecosystem Market Resources and Programs

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Nutrient Research & Education Council

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Nutrient Stewardship Grant Program

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Post Application Coverage Endorsement Crop Insurance Policy

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Precision Conservation Management

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Soil and Water Outcomes

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• STAR Conservation Evaluation Tool

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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

• Tree Buffer Program

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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

• Upper Macoupin Creek Watershed Partnership

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Vermilion Headwaters Watershed Partnership

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Water Supply & Industry Partnerships

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Water Testing Initiative

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Des Plaines River Watershed Workgroup

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  The Des Plaines River Watershed Workgroup is a voluntary, dues-paying organization with a mission to bring together a diverse coalition of stakeholders to improve water quality in the Des Plaines River and its tributaries in a cost-effective manner to meet Illinois EPA requirements. The workgroup conducts water quality and bioassessment monitoring and has partnered and sponsored member efforts within the watershed. The workgroup also contracted with Geosyntec Consultants to complete a Nutrient Assessment Reduction Plan. For more information, see go.illinois.edu/NLRS and drww.org.

• Illinois River Watershed Study Group

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  The Illinois River Watershed Study Group, IRWSG, held formational meetings in May and July 2022. From those meetings, a steering committee formed and the following mission and implementation steps were outlined. The study group held its first full meeting in November 2022.

• 4R Field Day

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• DuPage County Water Quality Improvement Program

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  DuPage County Stormwater Management recognizes the financial burden a property owner may face when undertaking a project that improves regional water quality. The county’s Water Quality Improvement Program, WQIP, offers financial assistance to projects providing a regional water quality benefit to local waterways. The grant funds up to 25% of eligible construction costs for water quality improvement projects. DuPage County initiated the grant program in 2000 and has awarded nearly $6.3 million across 108 projects. DuPage County government agencies, organizations, and individuals are eligible to receive funds under the WQIP. The WQIP story map provides information on the grant and application process and gives examples of eligible projects, such as rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavers, and streambank stabilization. The story map also includes animated infographics, photos, project descriptions, and an interactive map of previously awarded projects.

  For more information, see dupagecounty.gov/government/departments/stormwater_management/grants/water_quality_ improvement_program.php.

• Illinois Department of Transportation Stormwater Programs

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  The Illinois Department of Transportation, IDOT, maintains a chartered Stormwater Committee composed of members from a variety of backgrounds and agencies to inform and guide policy creation, advise IDOT staff on relevant stormwater issues, and oversee erosion control training for staff and consultants. The committee also coordinates with other stormwater groups and initiates research through the Illinois Center for Transportation to study aspects of the stormwater management program and determine whether improvements can be made to best management practices.

  IDOT continues to research alternatives to erosion control blankets that use plastic mesh, which is known to entangle wildlife and contribute to microplastics in waterways. The literature review is completed, and field trials are planned, with a report expected at the end of 2023. When applicable, IDOT will utilize research and practices generated through other state departments of transportation, the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, and the Illinois Urban Manual. IDOT also continues to revise Specifications and Standards based on implementable research or when otherwise warranted.

   For more information, see idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/planning/other-plans/storm- water-management-plan.html.

• Lawn to Lake Midwest

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  In 2021–22, the Lawn to Lake Midwest Program used insights from the 2019 Lawn Caretaker Survey to develop five outreach tools, distribute 50,000 copies of each across the state, and create a comprehensive website to showcase them. A social media campaign raised awareness of the new resources by generating 85,000 impressions, or views, and driving 10,000 users to the new website. For more information, see LawntoLakeMidwest.org.

• Red Oak Rain Garden

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  The Red Oak Rain Garden is a demonstration landscape on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, managed by Illinois Extension and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. The garden reduces flooding, improves water quality, increases green infrastructure literacy, and models best practices for rain garden design, construction, and care. In 2021, the plant and species numbers were expanded to 13,000 individual plants and 59 species. In 2022, Extension hosted a public engagement event at the rain garden, expanded options for volunteer stewardship, and established a campaign for a maintenance endowment. Throughout 2021-22, Extension provided green infrastructure education via several virtual presentations. For more information, see go.illinois.edu/RORG.

• 4R Metrics Survey

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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. 

• Edge-of-Field Partnership for Woodchip Bioreactors

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.  

• Mackinaw River Program

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Sustaining our Future

  Dec 8, 2023 12:30 pm

  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