The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast

Episode 59 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast explores the relationship between extreme precipitation events and nutrient loss in agriculture, highlighting the recent article series, When It Rains, It Pours. In this episode, Dr. Marin Skidmore and Dr. Jonathan Coppess, both with the University of Illinois, dive into the impacts of heavy rainfall and snowmelt on agriculture, shedding light on practical strategies for mitigating nutrient loss.  

• FarmDoc; When It Rains, It Pours: Extreme Precipitation & Nutrient Loss, Part 1 

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 Emma Eldridge.  

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

Hear from the three different sectors outlined within the NLRS on how each sector is addressing nutrient loss and some key points from 2021 and 2022 that are captured in the 2023 Biennial Report. 

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 Emma Eldridge.  

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

• Lawn to Lake Midwest 
• Red Oak Rain Garden 
• Stormwater @ Home series  
• Add Organic Matter: Mulch Leaves

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 Emma Eldridge.  

• 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 a panel conversation held at the Farm Progress Show in 2023, three farmers spanning the state – Norm Deets, Chad Bell, and Cliff Schuette – gathered to discuss their experiences utilizing cover crops and other agricultural conservation practices.  

• ISAP Cover Crops incentive directory 

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 Emma Eldridge.  

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

The North Central Region Water Network is a 12-state Extension-led collaboration focused on ensuring safe and sufficient water supplies not only in the North Central Region, but beyond. The Watershed Management Research and Outreach Undergraduate Internship Program through this network helps students from all backgrounds gain valuable experience that will help students pursue future careers in watershed management and gain an understanding of the role of Extension. At the completion of the 2023 summer program, Dr. John McMaine, director of the Water Resources Institute at South Dakota State University, Ethan Davis, intern at University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Sam Henry, intern at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, discussed the Extension-focused watershed management internship.    

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 Emma Eldridge.  

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

As the climate continues to change, we are seeing more frequent, extreme weather events. With these weather events occurring more often, considerations on how those events impact agriculture need to be addressed. Trent Ford, State Climatologist at the Illinois State Water Survey, Connor Sible, a Visiting Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Illinois Department of Crop Sciences, and John Zumwalt, a farmer from Sheldon, IL, talk about extreme weather trends and how farmers can mitigate their impacts.  

• stateclimatologist.web.illinois.edu/about/ 
• www.isws.illinois.edu/ 
• cropsciences.illinois.edu/ 

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 Emma Eldridge.  

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

As the use of cover crops continues to grow across Illinois and the country, non-traditional crops are being researched and explored as potential cover crops including camelina. Hear from Joel Gruver, Professor of Soil Science and Sustainable Agriculture at Western Illinois University, about camelina as a cover crop and his research. Gruver has spent the past 16 years taking the science and translating it into understandable, memorable ideas for both students and farmers. His primary focus is on organic cropping systems and addressing production questions. Gruver is also conducting research on the use of camelina as a cover crop. 

• Camelina Production  
• WIU, Allison Organic Research & Demonstration Farm

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 Emma Eldridge.  

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

Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, Robert Bonnie, met with National Association of Farm Broadcasting members in Washington D.C. The group asked Undersecretary Bonnie about the Farm Production and Conservation’s conservation mission. Undersecretary Bonnie spoke to the group about many topics including the Inflation Reduction Act, the upcoming Farm Bill, climate-smart agriculture, carbon markets, and climate change.  

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 Emma Eldridge.  

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

The Illinois Farm Bureau  Nutrient Stewardship Grant  Program was developed in 2015 to support the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. The NSG is now a cornerstone of IFB for its efforts and initiatives on nutrient loss reduction.   

• Illinois Farm Bureau Nutrient Stewardship Grant Program 
• Illinois Nutrient Loss Strategy Implementation  

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 Emma Eldridge.  

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

To celebrate our 50th podcast, we get behind-the-scenes information about the creation and production of the new Illinois Farm Bureau documentary "Sustaining our Future: A Farm Family Story.” 

Michael Ganschow, Bureau County Farmer, Lauren Lurkins, IFB Director of Environmental Policy, and Scott Anderson, IFB Video Producer, spoke about their goals and why they wanted to make this short film.

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 Emma Eldridge.  

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