The U.S Department of Agriculture is awarding a multi-million dollar grant towards a program designed to engage more farmers in best management practices that protect water quality and prevent nutrient loss.

USDA Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie announced the funding for the new Precision Conservation Management program last week. “This is how government and conservation is supposed to work. Government and NRCS is a partner and a facilitator of good conservation, but this is locally led by partners on the ground, molding these programs in a way that will work for them.”   

The PCM program will help farmers meet the voluntary best management practices suggested in the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, which aims to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses (runoff) by 45%.

The Illinios Corn Growers Association initiated the PCM program and will partner with 30 other organizations on further development.

According to ICGA President Jeff Jarboe, "This grant funding from the USDA will provide Illinois farmers with the tools to make those incremental, voluntary improvements that help move the needle on improved soil quality, nutrient management, and high-value crop production,”

Jarboe adds: “PCM is a service program created by farmers, for farmers, to address the need for greater adoption of conservation practices.”

Source: Illinois Corn Growers Association