1. Lake Springfield Watershed Nutrient Management Project February 11, 2015

2. Funding Partners National Fish and Wildlife Foundation City of Springfield’s City Water, Light and Power

3. Project Partners

4. Project Goals Achieve a sustained reduction in nitrate loading from agricultural non-point sources Help understand the trends in nitrate levels within the Lake Springfield Watershed

5. Project Overview Minimize environmental impact, Optimize harvest yield and maximize nutrient utilization Utilize the 4Rs - Right source, Right rate, Right time and Right place N-Rate Trials N-WATCH – Inventory and Track Plant-Available N Water testing for nitrate levels Establishment of cover crops as a nutrient and soil management tool

6. Year One Outcomes 27 producers are participating 12 farmers, 12 N-WATCH sites and 504 acres cover crops 6 farmers - Nitrogen Rate and Timing Studies. 9 farmers – Additional N-WATCH sites Twice weekly monitoring of 23 stream sites for nitrate nitrogen.

7. Grab Sample Sites Cover Crop Sites N Rate Studies

8. Future Goals Increase the number of participants Establish N-WATCH Sentinel Sites within watershed with aggregated results posted online at www.illinoiscbmp.orgwww.illinoiscbmp.org Increase the number of cover crop acres by 500

9. Future Goals Increase the number of N-Rate Trials Demonstration farm field days at Lincoln Land Community College Continue to collaborate on 319 EPA Grant

10. Why Get Involved? 2% Urban 16% Point Source 82% Agricultural 2% Urban 18% Point Source 80% Agricultural 4% Urban 48% Point Source 48% Agricultural

11. Why Get Involved?

12. Illinois Council on Best Management Practices Coalition of agricultural organizations and agribusinesses: Illinois Farm Bureau Illinois Corn Growers Association Illinois Soybean Association Illinois Pork Producers Association Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association Syngenta GROWMARK Monsanto

13. Illinois Council on Best Management Practices Our Mission To assist and encourage adoption of BMPs to protect and enhance natural resources and the sustainability of agriculture in Illinois

14. CBMP’s Goals Information Awareness Participation Demonstration Collaboration

15. Why get involved? Find out what is happening on your farm Farmer incentives are available for many aspects of this project Ask questions and be part of the discussion Lots of tools in the tool box Progress has to start being made across Illinois!

17. Jennifer Tirey Illinois Council on Best Management Practices jtirey@illinoiscbmp.org (217) 971-3842