The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast

Farmers often learn best from one another, and the Farmer-Led Advances in Soil Health (FLASH) program helps make those connections possible. In Episode 77, Morgan Cauble from AFT, Malina Przygoda from the Coles County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Bobby Orman, a Coles County farmer, discuss the FLASH program and its Batch and Grow cover crop initiative. 

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry, Nicole Haverback, and Luke Zwilling.

·       Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog  

·       Subscribe for updates 

·       Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

In episode 76, Precision Conservation Management (PCM) director Greg Goodwin, conservation specialist Lou Liva, and Stark County farmer Noah Forlines discuss how the PCM program works with farmers to collect field-level data and return it to them in a usable format. The conversation focused on how PCM combines conservation and profitability through detailed data analysis, gathering information pass-by-pass from the farm. The field-level data helps farmers improve their economic and environmental performance without requiring changes in their practices. The data is also organized into an annual report, allowing farmers to compare their local performance and better understand their own operations.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry, Nicole Haverback, and Luke Zwilling.

·       Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog  

·       Subscribe for updates 

·       Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

In the second of a two-part series, Illinois farmers Norm Deets of Ogle County, Brian Corkill of Henry County, and John Pike of Williamson County share management advice from years of working with cover crops. They discuss seeding rates, species selection, erosion control, and how to balance profitability with your conservation goals.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry, Nicole Haverback, and Luke Zwilling.

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog  
• Subscribe for updates 
• Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

In the first of a two-part series, three Illinois farmers- Norm Deets of Ogle County, Brian Corkill of Henry County, and John Pike of Williamson County discuss their experiences with cover crops, focusing on the challenges they faced when getting started and lessons they learned along the way. 

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry, Nicole Haverback, and Luke Zwilling.

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog  
• Subscribe for updates 
• Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

Nate Lawrence and MJ Oviatt from the Savanna Institute discuss how agroforestry practices like windbreaks, alley cropping, and silvopasture can reduce nutrient loss and support farm resilience. They highlight research showing these practices improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, and provide new revenue streams for farmers. The episode also covers economic challenges to adoption and invites farmers to engage through events and the Corn Belt Windbreak Project.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry and Nicole Haverback.

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog  
• Subscribe for updates 
• Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

Mila Marshall of the Sierra Club Illinois Chapter highlights the group's work to reduce nutrient pollution in Illinois through education, advocacy, and the promotion of constructed wetlands. The Sierra Club promotes wetlands as a cost-effective solution for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. She emphasizes collaboration between farmers, wastewater treatment facilities, and the public to support the state's Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. 

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry and Nicole Haverback.

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog  
• Subscribe for updates 
• Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

In this episode of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Paula Hingson and Matt Robert of USDA NRCS discuss how wetland restoration easements and constructed wetlands help reduce nutrient loss in Illinois. They explain how easement programs like wetland restoration easement through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) support landowners by converting flood-prone farmland back to wetlands, and how constructed wetlands are engineered to treat runoff and improve water quality. The conversation also covers funding options, habitat benefits, and how producers can get started with support from local NRCS offices and partners like The Wetlands Initiative.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with podcast host Todd Gleason and co-producers Rachel Curry, and Nicole Haverback. 

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog 
• Subscribe for updates 
• Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

On this episode of the Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Jill Kostel from The Wetlands Initiative and farmer Rex Newton, discuss constructed wetlands highlighting their role in intercepting tile drainage and reducing nitrates.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry and Nicole Haverback.

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog  
• Subscribe for updates 
• Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

In this bonus edition of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Todd Gleason interviews Jon Doggett, head of Camas Creek Consulting LLC and former CEO of the National Corn Growers Association. They discuss the importance of conservation and climate-smart practices in agriculture, the opportunities presented by the Inflation Reduction Act, and the need for voluntary, incentive-based programs. Jon shares insights on building coalitions between farm and environmental groups, the evolving perspective of farmers on climate change, and the rapid technological advancements in agriculture. He emphasizes the importance of effective communication with policymakers and the potential for agriculture to showcase its positive impact with the right support and partnerships.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry, Nicole Haverback, and Luke Zwilling.

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog  
• Subscribe for updates 
• Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

Wetlands are some of the most vital yet misunderstood ecosystems, often portrayed in film as eerie, dangerous places rather than the biodiverse habitats they are. In this episode, Dr. Jeff Matthews and Dr. Caitlin Bloomer from the University of Illinois discuss wetland perceptions, their ecological importance, and efforts to improve public understanding.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry and Nicole Haverback.

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog  
• Subscribe for updates 
• Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss