IFCA has been participating with the IL Council on Best Management Practices and our fellow ag organizations in statewide meetings to explain to farmers and agribusiness the goals of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.  IEPA and IDA will finalize the strategy shortly, and it sets goals for point sources (wastewater treatment plants) and non-point sources (including agriculture) to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus levels in our rivers, lakes and streams as well as what Illinois contributes to the Gulf of Mexico.  There are four meetings remaining, with 2 CEUs in Nutrient Management available for CCAs:

 

June 22 @ 6 pm at Richland College, 1 College Park Road, Decatur

June 23 @ 6 pm at Fayette County Farm Bureau, 1125 N. Sunset Drive, Vandalia

June 24 @ 10 am at the Interstate Center, 1106 Interstate Drive, Bloomington IL

Jun 29 @ 7:30 pm at Pike County Farm Bureau, 1301 E. Washington, Pittsfield IL

 

Come and learn about the strategy document, how the 4Rs and other BMPs provide opportunity to reduce nutrient losses, how NREC is funding critical research to help agriculture meet the nutrient loss reduction targets, and what water quality standards mean with regard to agricultural drainage.   Local water quality efforts are also highlighted at each meeting.  Registration is free but please contact your County Farm Bureau if we wish to attend these meetings.  There has been good turnout of IFCA members at these meetings and great attendance by farmers, many of the meetings have had over 100 people in attendance.  Hope to see you there!