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Illinois map highlights conservation farmers

Several farm and conservation groups have launched an online conservation map in Illinois to highlight farmers who are implementing conservation practices.

“The map is really a way to showcase their efforts in conservation and sustainability practices,” said Caroline Wade, nutrient watershed manager for the Illinois Corn Growers Association, “as well as provide a resource to other farmers, giving them some ideas and some resources that they can use to implement practices on their own farms.”

The push for conservation practices has two drivers, according to Wade, one is the Illinois Nutrient Reduction Strategy implemented last summer with a goal to reduce phosphorous and nitrate runoff by 45 percent.

“Many of these practices will help farmers reduce the amount of nutrients that they are losing,” said Wade, in an interview with Brownfield Ag News Tuesday.  “The other driver really comes from the supply chain sustainability side.  Many of these practices also help farmers become more sustainable.”

Best management practices include cover crops, reduced tillage, bioreactors and other sustainable farming practices.

AUDIO: Caroline Wade (7 min. MP3)