Illinois NRCS Archive Success
Stories
In the spring of 2000, NRCS launched a comprehensive effort to increase the
amount of nutrient management practices used in East Central Illinois with the
help of 85 Third Party Vendors and a number of conservation partners. $511,000
was secured through an EPA-319 grant to provide a $5/acre incentive to farmers
to follow a nutrient management plan in 5 pilot watersheds. These watersheds
ranged in size from 14,000 to 98,000 acres, and were selected because they serve
as a public water supply and had confirmed elevated nitrate levels that exceeded
state water standards during part of the year. The goal of the joint project is
to maximize the amount of acreage farmed according to an approved nutrient
management plan, which hopefully will decrease nutrient levels in streams
currently found to be below state standards.
Since nitrogen rates were the focus of the effort, participation was limited
to fields planted to corn. In 2001, 495 tracts of land, covering 35,923 acres,
were enrolled in the project. This represents 41% of corn acres in the project
areas. When compared to producer's previous fertilizer applications, nitrogen
application rates were reduced by 9.4%; phosphorus by 19%; and potassium by 22%
in 2001. In crop year 2002, project participation increased to 39,957 acres,
representing 45.6% of corn acres in the project areas. In one watershed,
participation was greater than 70% of the corn acres. Guidance on proper timing
of application was also shared with participants.
With use of Third Party Vendors more and more a reality in NRCS’ future, this
project presented the perfect opportunity to see how the concept works. "We
worked closely with the agriculture retailers in East Central Illinois and they
remain a crucial part of the success of this effort," says Britt Weiser, NRCS
Agronomist and Water Quality Specialist and the Project Coordinator for the
Pilot Watershed Project. The organizations NRCS and the SWCDs aligned themselves
with were members of the Certified Crop Advisors and were well versed in the
details and requirements of nutrient management. "Once certified as official
third party vendors, they are able to work one-on-one with producers to craft
individual plans," adds Weiser.
According to NRCS State Conservationist Bill Gradle, "This project provided
an opportunity for professionals from a variety of businesses and organizations
to meet and create a framework to ensure consistency and quality in nutrient
management plans now and the future. It demonstrates how well NRCS can work with
agribusiness in a way that helps both producers’ bottom line and the
environment."
This project was a cooperative effort of NRCS, Soil and Water Conservation
Districts, the Illinois Association of SWCD's, Illinois EPA, University of
Illinois Extension, Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, and the local
agribusinesses and Certified Crop Advisors.
Weiser feels the project has met with success due in part to the fact that
producers were offered fair acreage-based financial incentives and because the
committed partnership worked well together to get the word out and publicize the
effort.
At least three years of data are needed in order to conclusively demonstrate
that nutrient management plans and practices can have a significant and
measurable impact on water supplies. "In the meantime," adds Weiser, "we feel
confident that this pilot project has demonstrated the stewardship level of
Illinois producers as well as the time-saving and customer service benefits
third party vendors can offer those of us in the conservation business."
In addition to the EPA-319 project, Third Party Vendors are being utilized to
write nutrient management plans for EQIP. More information can be found at the
Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association website at
www.ifca.com.
NRCS Contacts:
Britt Weiser, NRCS Agronomist and Water Quality Specialist, Champaign, IL
(217) 398-5201 #122 or
Paige Buck, NRCS State Communication Specialist, Champaign, IL (217)
353-6606.
 Kicking
off its summer tour season, the SMART Bus rolled up to Alwood Elementary School
in Alpha Illinois, providing books to approximately 250 students. The SMART Bus,
a project of Interstate Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), came on
one of the last days of the school year, hoping to teach the students about the
importance of conservation while encouraging the kids to read over the summer.
The SMART (Sharp Minds Are Reading Thoroughly) Bus is a mobile literacy
program started by the hands of many motivated volunteers and the Interstate
RC&D, led by Coordinator Mark Jackson. The Interstate RC&D program provides
multiple services to a five county area bordering Illinois and Iowa and is
funded through Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
 Traveling
around the Interstate RC&D, the bus simultaneously allows students to choose a
free book while receiving a one-on-one lesson about the environment, ecology,
natural resources and agriculture from local experts.
The Alwood students gathered in the school gym as the key speakers prepared
to talk about the importance of conservation and the role of the SMART Bus.
Director of the National RC&D program, Joan Comanor flew in from NRCS
Headquarters in Washington D.C. to attend the day’s activities. Comanor said to
the young audience, "The SMART Bus could be the little magic edge to help you
gain better reading skills and encourage you to read while learning about the
importance of the environment. It’s definitely a worthwhile cause that will
benefit so many people."
Illinois RC&D Program Manager for NRCS, Lue Walters spoke to the children and
teachers saying "The SMART Bus will make you more knowledgeable and will give
you the skills you need to be a greater resource for our country."
 "The kids
have been very excited about the SMART Bus coming to town," said Alwood
Elementary Principal Shannon Bumann. "It’s also important to have someone other
than teachers come and tell the kids about things outside of the classroom. They
love to read and this will help with many parts of the learning process such as
literacy and education about the environment."
C.J. Miller, a student at Alwood had this simple statement to say about the
SMART Bus: "This is just a really cool idea."
The SMART Bus, which has won one state and two national
awards, is the result of more than 500 hundred volunteer hours spent converting
an old donated bus to the spectacular RC&D bus which is now lined with book
shelves and storage. Charles Curry, an Interstate RC&D Council member and
volunteer, is largely responsible for the success of the traveling bus. "This is
a very important project to the community and also to the volunteers," Curry
Said.
Curry tells of a story that reveals why the SMART Bus is so
important to the children as well. He said a young boy was walking through the
bus, and told him he was looking for a book about snakes. After searching
through hundreds of books on the bus,
Curry finally found the book the young boy was looking for.
As he gave it to the boy, Curry told him it was his to keep. Curry said, "He
just looked up at me and said, ‘You mean I don’t have to give it back?’ I told
him that he could keep it, and he just couldn’t believe it. He had his own book,
and that really meant something to him." Curry said that was the best thing he
has ever seen come from the SMART Bus. "That’s why it’s so worthwhile to us and
that’s why this project is so important to others!"
To schedule a visit for the SMART Bus, obtain
information on donating books, or learn more about RC&D contact Interstate RC&D
Coordinator Mark Jackson at (309) 764-1486 ext. 4 or e-mail at
mark.jackson@il.usda.gov. Interstate RC&D Program Assistant Jessica Engstrom
can also be contacted at
jessica.engstrom@il.usda.gov.
On April 22, 2002 the Buffalo-Wheeling Flood
Diversion Channel, a project of the Village of Wheeling, IL with assistance from
the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), was recognized as a
Public Works Project of the Year by the Chicago Chapter of the American Public
Works Association (APWA).
"I am extremely proud of this project and this
award," said Bob Gray, retired Public Works Director for the Village of Wheeling
who worked with the many groups and agencies to make the diversion channel a
reality. "But I cannot take all the credit; this project became a reality
because of NRCS."
The community of Wheeling is a fast-growing, densely
populated suburb of Chicago that faces the many resource issues associated with
rapid development. Flooding and excess stormwater has been an issue for hundreds
of area homeowners and businesses for many years. Buffalo-Wheeling Diversion
Channel was designed as to address these flooding problems by safely conducting
excess runoff from the Village of Wheeling to the Des Plaines River. The channel
is 1.25 miles (7,200 feet) long with cross sections 60 to 70 feet wide and a
depth of 8 feet, a size which allows it to handle runoff from a 100-year storm
event.
The Buffalo-Wheeling Diversion Channel, an element in
the Lower Des Plaines Tributaries Watershed Plan, was substantially completed in
2001 with financial and conservation technical assistance from the USDA-NRCS
under the PL-566 Small Watersheds Program. The planning and engineering design
of the $2.4 million Buffalo-Wheeling Diversion Channel was accomplished with
assistance from the NRCS planning and engineering staff and construction was
funded in part with assistance from the Small Watersheds Program.
This project was made possible by a high level of
cooperation between USDA-NRCS, the Village of Wheeling, Crawford, Murphy & Tilly,
Inc. (consulting engineers responsible for final design), and other groups and
agencies working to address a multitude of concerns. Planning for this project
required consideration of multiple community concerns, such as right of way,
property issues, public safety, and possible downstream impacts of the diversion
channel. Equally complex resource issues associated with the Buffalo-Wheeling
Diversion Channel included structure design, flood modeling, soil conditions,
wetland disturbance and creation, vegetation establishment, and environmental
precautions during construction. Working together, partnering groups, agencies
and private contractors were able to plan and construct the improvements with
consideration to all of these issues.
"This project was complicated by the number of people
and organizations involved," said Gray. "NRCS Engineer Jerry Leonard was an
asset to the project in his regular communication and coordination with the
Village of Wheeling and with CMT. This communication was instrumental in getting
the project completed," Gray continued.
"The Village of Wheeling is most appreciative of the
Diversion Channel's importance and the substantial flood mitigation benefit …and
the assistance and direction provided by NRCS," commented Guy Kolberg, current
Public Works Director for the Village of Wheeling.
The Buffalo-Wheeling Diversion Channel is a shining
example of what NRCS and the PL-566 Small Watersheds Program can offer to the
many Illinois communities facing complex and multi-faceted resource issues.
#
For more information, contact NRCS
Engineer Jerry Leonard at
Jerry.Leonard@il.usda.gov.
Photo Caption:
Donald Jakesch, President of the Chicago Metropolitan Chapter, APWA (far left)
presents the Project of the Year Award to Greg Klatecki, Village of Wheeling
President. Looking on, from left, are Guy Kolberg, Village of Wheeling Public
Works Director; Bob Gray, Village of Wheeling Public Works Director (retired);
Dan Davies, Earthwerks, Inc.; Chris DaGiantis, Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc.; Jerry Leonard, NRCS; Richard Glenz, Village of
Wheeling Engineer; and Anthony Stavros Village of Wheeling Engineering
Assistant.
Approximately 1,175 third-graders
got their hands dirty, planted soybeans, classified tree species,
and identified wildlife at the annual Outdoor Stewardship Days
on September 25th and 26th. The Lee and Ogle County Soil and Water
Districts (SWCDs) hosted the outdoor classroom in Dixon's Lowell
Park as a partnership venture with a variety of agencies, organizations,
and individual volunteers. The goal was to bring a message of
caring for the environment, maintaining natural resources, and
having a good time in the great outdoors.
Over 25 stations were presented by a variety of volunteers and
natural resource professionals from local SWCDs, USDA's Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Illinois Department of
Natural Resources (IDNR), Cooperative Extension Service, and other
organizations. Presenters gave demonstrations and led hands-on
activities dealing with topics such as water quality, soil conservation,
forestry, wildlife habitat, recycling, fisheries, and Native American
history and artifacts.
"Our natural resources will
soon be in the hands of today's young people," said NRCS
State Conservationist Bill Gradle, "and I am proud of the
efforts of Illinois' conservation partnerships to not only preserve
our resources for future generations, but also to provide these
students with the tools they need to be good stewards of the land
themselves."
NRCS Soil Conservationist Joe
Sullivan led the soils exploration. Sullivan pulled soil samples
from increasing depths, pointing out the color, texture and composition
of the different layers of soil. "Kids are fascinated to
see what goes on under our feet. They are eager to touch the soil
and make their own observations and formulate their own theories
about why the soil changes at different depths and in different
areas," remarked Sullivan.
Dan Pierce, NRCS District Conservationist
for Ogle County taught a lesson on wildlife. Surrounded by mounted
wild turkeys, coyotes, and other native Illinois wildlife, Pierce
talked about habitat and demonstrated animal calls.
The Lee and Ogle County SWCDs
have hosted the event in Dixon's Lowell Park since 1997. "Outdoor
Stewardship Days brings in over 90% of the third grade students
from Lee and Ogle Counties," said Brenda Merriman, Resource
Conservationist from the Lee County SWCD. "The teachers look
forward to this event every year because of its interactive nature
and because the activities relate to their classroom lessons."
Funds for the event were provided
by the Lee and Ogle County Offices of Solid Waste Management,
Borg Warner of Dixon, and Pheasants Forever of Lee County.
Jack Robertson believes that people
are the key to making conservation work. "I have seen firsthand
that the NRCS relationship with local landowners is extremely
important," said Robertson.
Enrolling 170 acres into a permanent
easement required educated decisions with a long-term impact on
the Cass County farm owned by Robertson and his business partners.
He went to the Cass County NRCS service center to get the facts.
"NRCS was critical in the
planning," explained Robertson. "Programs can be confusing,
but NRCS District Conservationist Rhonda Holliday spent a lot
of time, from start to finish, to help me learn about the program,
my options, and the best way to achieve my objectives," he
continued.
Robertson, a wildlife enthusiast
and former board member of the National Wild Turkey Federation,
had a goal of drawing additional wildlife to the land while maintaining
and enhancing the animal life that was previously there.
With CREP, Robertson planted filter
strips, native grasses, and food plots. The result was year-round
nesting habitat, cover, and a food source for wild turkey, deer,
quail, and pheasants. "I saw an increase in game almost immediately,"
said Robertson, "and the benefits of the filter strip bring
us closer to the ultimate goal of cleaner water."
"NRCS technical specialists
are working toward the same goal as I. We're on the same page.
NRCS showed me what I could do and how to do it," said Robertson.
Dan Keith and Jeff Van Drunen
had a goal of restoring a beautiful and unique part of the landscape
by enrolling 60 acres along the Kankakee River into the CREP program.
"We really did not have a clue how to begin the project,"
explained Keith, "so we contacted the CREP Partnership. NRCS
District Conservationist Bob Gotkowski brought everybody together
and started the process."
A Cultural Resources Assessment
by NRCS Archaeologist Sharon Santure identified signs of Mississippian
and early to mid-archaic habitation. "I knew artifact hunters
had found relics here for years," said Keith. "By, meeting
with Sharon, I learned more about the land's rich historical significance."
Working with NRCS, Keith and Van
Drunen developed a conservation plan to protect areas of archaeological
significance while restoring the marshy, rarely productive cropland
to its original wetland state. Gotkowski provided methods to establish
native vegetation on the former cropland, an area often flooded
and difficult to work. His technical recommendations also included
suitable plants, soil interpretations, and other science-based
options.
The restored wetland features
nesting islands for birds, small earthen dams to control erosion,
wildlife food plots, native plants, and tree plantings, which
all contribute to the large-scale benefits of reduced flooding,
sediment control, and clean water.
"Working with NRCS is a smooth
process," Keith noted. "The communication was great,
and Bob answered all our questions. It's been an awesome education."
"We were able to let the land do what it does best. The unique
quality of the area is unrivaled," said Keith, who produces
a television fishing show, Midwest Outdoors, and has visited the
world's most celebrated natural areas. However, Keith still ranks
his home in Illinois first among these marvels, "It's one
little place where things are right."
The Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) partnered with an impressive collaboration of public,
private, urban and rural entities to launch Growing Home, Inc.
Representatives from these groups joined high school students
and homeless Chicagoans in LaSalle County on October 3 to launch
the non-profit agriculture project designed to train and employ
homeless and low-income people from the Chicago area.
More than 100 participants, including
approximately 25 homeless Chicagoans and 60 students from Seneca
High School, planted trees and shrubs around the periphery of
the 10-acre site outside Marseilles, IL as an early step in establishing
a certified organic farm. During a pork chop lunch provided by
the Seneca High School FFA chapter, speakers discussed the future
of the project and homeless participants shared their experiences
and hopes for the future.
"I've been amazed at the
outpouring of support for Growing Home's efforts to develop its
rural site and future program," stated Les Brown, Interim
Director and Board President of Growing Home. "Together,
we can create a much needed resource for homeless and low-income
persons."
David Carter participates in programs
and services sponsored by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
and Chicago homeless shelters in order to get his life back on
track. "It's been one heck of an experience," said Carter
as the day's activities wrapped up. "I come from a world
of problems-drugs, jail. But, being here today is a breath of
fresh air. The people working on this project are dealing with
all kinds of issues," he continued.
The project was made possible
through a collaboration of federal and local entities including
NRCS, LaSalle County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD),
Seneca High School FFA, and the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
Other partners include the USDA-Urban Resources Partnership (URP),
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), USDA-Rural Development
(RD), Cooperative Extension Service Master Gardeners, USDA-Farm
Service Agency (FSA), LaSalle County Farm Bureau, Ottawa Wal-Mart,
Asplundh Tree Service, Pony Express Horse Transportation, and
Rental Pro's.
"We are happy and excited
to work with Growing Home in the development of this unique and
important initiative," said NRCS District Conservationist
Paul Youngstrum, who contributed conservation planning for the
project and helped bring Growing Home in contact with other contributing
federal and local agencies. "NRCS and our partners have provided,
and will continue to provide, technical assistance to Growing
Home while helping bring together other resources and local institutions
and community groups."
With funds from an URP grant,
students and homeless participants together planted 660 native
trees and shrubs around the periphery of the site, which will
help block wind and drift of herbicides and pesticides from neighboring
cropland.
"We have been mowing the
site and will help prepare the land to begin planting the first
crops next spring. Our students want to remain involved and look
forward to learning about organic farming as well as homelessness,
its causes, and solutions," commented Jeff Maierhofer, Seneca
High School's FFA advisor.
On average, as many as 160,000
people become homeless each year in metro Chicago. "Homeless
people can be found in both rural and urban areas," explained
Brown. "Many homeless and low-income people are excluded
from the employment market because they do not have the training,
support, or access to existing jobs. People who have been out
of work for long periods of time, or who have little or no employment
experience, face a multitude of barriers as they try to enter
or re-enter the work force."
Growing Home, Inc. acquired the
LaSalle County land in 1999 through an application to the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services after the federal weather
station housed on the site was closed and the land was designated
federal surplus property.
Growing Home, Inc., which also
owns 1 acre on Chicago's near-west side near the ABLA Public Housing
Project, will operate the LaSalle County farm as the rural site
for a job creation, training, and placement program for homeless
and low-income persons. Much of the produce grown on the farm
will be supplied to Chicago food pantries and shelters.
The training program will be developed
within the context of a non-profit business with a mission to
grow, market and sell organic vegetables and value-added products
to an array of outlets. Participants will learn every aspect of
the business and thus gain a wide set of skills, which may be
used to acquire jobs in the Chicago region.
"Another goal of the project,"
said Brown, "is to connect participants with the land and
forge an understanding of the cycles of life and death and the
analogies to be found with human existence. "Connecting with
the soil and its life-giving properties is often a very positive
spiritual growth experience," Brown continued.
"It's beautiful out here,"
remarked David Carter, "when you have some space around you,
you can see some hope."
Carter said he plans to stay involved
in the Growing Home project in the future. "I needed something
different," he said. "Homelessness is in here,"
explained Carter pointing to his heart, "It begins with feeling
lost, but that changes when you see that people care about what
happens to you."
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