UChicago Medicine Primary Care Creative 51123 UCM 017 D523 SAMEDAY v12
Richard Guebert Jr.

Richard Guebert Jr.

Soil, water conservation efforts are working

Spread the love

By Richard Guebert Jr.

Many Illinois farmers, including myself, are eagerly waiting to see how this year’s crop turns out. That’s the name of the game when it comes to farming: You make the best management decisions you can, learn from previous harvests and look to improve next year’s results.

Farmers use a similar approach when conserving natural resources.

Protecting our nation’s water supply and improving soil health are top priorities for farmers. The food we grow is shared with our families, friends and neighbors. That is why farmers across the state are collaborating to find long-term solutions that have a positive environmental impact.

GSWNH RichardGuebert 070822

Richard Guebert Jr.

The Agricultural Nutrient Policy Council (ANPC), which Illinois Farm Bureau is part of, in August reported that Illinois farmers’ soil and water conservation efforts are making meaningful progress. For example, farmer efforts, in combination with the work of others across the country, are helping to reduce the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hypoxia areas, or “Dead Zones,” are caused by excess nutrients flowing from sewage treatment plants, oil refineries, agriculture fields and urban areas into lakes and rivers. The excess accumulation of nutrients can cause algae blooms to grow in large bodies of water, reducing oxygen levels needed to support aquatic plants and animals.

Earlier this summer, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that the Gulf of Mexico’s dead zone shrunk from a five-year average of 5,541 square miles in 2014 to 4,280 square miles in 2022. This difference of more than 1,000 square miles was made possible by collaborative efforts between states.

In Illinois, the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) is a guide to support nationwide efforts to keep nutrients in the soil from trickling out of the state. The strategy, released in July 2015 by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, calls for wastewater treatment plants, urban and agricultural areas to reduce the state’s phosphorous load by 25% and its nitrate-nitrogen load by 15% by 2025. The eventual target is a 45% reduction in the loss of these nutrients to the Mississippi River.

Farmers continue to work toward Illinois NLRS goals by improving water quality and soil health on their farms. To do this, we use measures that protect the environment, keeping soil in place using cover crops between seasons and limiting fertilizer applications to include only what the crop needs.

In June, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ and U.S. Geological Survey reported that reduced sediment and total phosphorus concentrations are leading to clearer water in most parts of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers. This 15-year update demonstrates the significant progress toward improving the biodiversity within Illinois river systems, which ultimately improves water quality as it moves into other bodies of water.

Reducing nutrient loss and protecting our water quality requires a multi-year effort from farmers across the nation. These recent findings show that the hard work and dedication to conservation practices are having meaningful, positive impacts. It is my hope that farmers and the scientific community can continue this necessary and important work to provide healthy water and soil for all generations to come.

Richard Guebert Jr. serves as Illinois Farm Bureau President.

This story was distributed through a cooperative project between Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Association. For more food and farming news, visit FarmWeekNow.com.

Local News

Marine Staff Sgt. Eduardo Figueroa salutes the fallen as members of American Legion Post 699 look on Monday. (Photos by Steve Metsch)

Fallen veterans remembered at Lyons ceremony

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch An event that happened 78 years ago is often on the mind of Richard Vachata, but especially on Memorial Day. In 1945, his cousin, Joe Horky, made the ultimate sacrifice. Horky, 21, died after a Japanese kamikaze pilot crashed his plane into his battleship in the Pacific, Vachata said. Horky,…

Brother Rice’s Nathan Kramer gets ready to pound a serve against St. Rita on May 27. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Area Sports Roundup | State volleyball and lacrosse tournaments will have local flavor

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff writer When it comes to the postseason, there are rarely guarantees. There are, however, two guarantees this season when it comes to having teams in the IHSA state finals this weekend. Boys volleyball and girls lacrosse will each have an area representative at their respective state tournaments. In volleyball,…

Marist's softball team passed Barrington for most home runs in a season on May 23. Marist photo

Baseball and Softball Wrap | Brother Rice and Lyons win thrillers; Marist softball sets state HR record

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Exciting to the last pitch. Two area baseball regional championships were determined in nail biting fashion on May 27. At the Class 4A Whitney Young Regional, Brother Rice, which finished third the state in Class 4A in 2022, got a bases-loaded to squeak by Mount Carmel, 6-5, and…

Alyssa Naeher had a clean sheet against Orlando on May 27 and was honored for a milestone after the game. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Pro Sports Report | Orlando outshoots Chicago 19-2, loses 1-0

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Orlando outshot the Chicago Red Stars 19-2, including a 6-2 disadvantage with shots on goal, during a May 27 visit to SeatGeek Stadium. That would normally be a recipe for disaster for the home team. But the Stars defense and goalie Alyssa Naeher withstood the barrage, and the…

Two Worth offices wave from the roof of the Dunkin' Donuts at 6707 W. 111th St. (Photos by Kelly White)

Worth police hit the roof for Special Olympics Illinois

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Kelly White Worth’s Police Department takes pride in having close ties with the local community. For the 11th year, the department was happy to once again take part in Cop on a Rooftop to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Police officers mingled with residents on Friday morning at Dunkin Donuts, 6707 W.…

reporter oak lawn police logo

Oak Lawn is using technology to fight crime

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle While there has been a recent increase in crime, Oak Lawn officials want to assure residents that these incidents are being addressed. Village Manager Tom Phelan made it clear during an Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday morning that they are working in tandem with the police to solve the…

A Boy Scout places a wreath at the Eternal Flame Monument as other members of Boy Scouts Troop 668 and Cub Scouts Pack 3668 look on last Sunday during the Memorial Day Observance in Worth. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Worth Memorial Day event recalls past conflicts, wars

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Worth Mayor Mary Werner welcomed sunny skies on Sunday morning. However, Werner said she could not take credit for the 70-degree temperatures before the Memorial Day Observance at Veterans Memorial Park at the corner of 111th Street and Harlem Avenue. “We have had plenty of times where we had coats…

Albert and Rosemary Dostal are at odds with city of Countryside regarding nine acres of land they want to sell. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Couple, Countryside at odds over land sale

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Albert and Rosemary Dostal want to sell their empty land in Countryside. But they are finding that a difficult task. The couple, which lives in the 9500 block of 56th Street, owns nine wooded acres south of 57th Street and west of La Grange Road. It’s been in the family…

bridgeview police logo - Copy

2 wounded in Bridgeview shooting

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Two men were wounded May 21 after two groups started arguing in the parking lot at Menards in Bridgeview. Police said the incident started at 8:05 p.m. with an argument between two groups in the parking lot at 9140 S. Harlem Ave. Police Chief Ricardo Mancha said police are trying…

Elected officials, school board members and staff from Summit School District 104 break ground Saturday on the district’s new administrative center. (Supplied photo)

Summit School District 104 breaks ground on admin center, school improvements

Spread the love

Spread the love By Carol McGowan Cook County School District 104 broke ground May 20 on three projects to be done this summer at three locations within the district. The first ceremony started at 8 a.m. at the future site of the District 104 Administrative Building, that will the built at 7509 W. 63rd Street…

Neighbors

DVN JCs Restoration House Ad
Marine Staff Sgt. Eduardo Figueroa salutes the fallen as members of American Legion Post 699 look on Monday. (Photos by Steve Metsch)

Fallen veterans remembered at Lyons ceremony

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch An event that happened 78 years ago is often on the mind of Richard Vachata, but especially on Memorial Day. In 1945, his cousin, Joe Horky, made the ultimate sacrifice. Horky, 21, died after a Japanese kamikaze pilot crashed his plane into his battleship in the Pacific, Vachata said. Horky,…

Brother Rice’s Nathan Kramer gets ready to pound a serve against St. Rita on May 27. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Area Sports Roundup | State volleyball and lacrosse tournaments will have local flavor

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff writer When it comes to the postseason, there are rarely guarantees. There are, however, two guarantees this season when it comes to having teams in the IHSA state finals this weekend. Boys volleyball and girls lacrosse will each have an area representative at their respective state tournaments. In volleyball,…

Marist's softball team passed Barrington for most home runs in a season on May 23. Marist photo

Baseball and Softball Wrap | Brother Rice and Lyons win thrillers; Marist softball sets state HR record

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Exciting to the last pitch. Two area baseball regional championships were determined in nail biting fashion on May 27. At the Class 4A Whitney Young Regional, Brother Rice, which finished third the state in Class 4A in 2022, got a bases-loaded to squeak by Mount Carmel, 6-5, and…

Alyssa Naeher had a clean sheet against Orlando on May 27 and was honored for a milestone after the game. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Pro Sports Report | Orlando outshoots Chicago 19-2, loses 1-0

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Orlando outshot the Chicago Red Stars 19-2, including a 6-2 disadvantage with shots on goal, during a May 27 visit to SeatGeek Stadium. That would normally be a recipe for disaster for the home team. But the Stars defense and goalie Alyssa Naeher withstood the barrage, and the…

Two Worth offices wave from the roof of the Dunkin' Donuts at 6707 W. 111th St. (Photos by Kelly White)

Worth police hit the roof for Special Olympics Illinois

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Kelly White Worth’s Police Department takes pride in having close ties with the local community. For the 11th year, the department was happy to once again take part in Cop on a Rooftop to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Police officers mingled with residents on Friday morning at Dunkin Donuts, 6707 W.…

reporter oak lawn police logo

Oak Lawn is using technology to fight crime

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle While there has been a recent increase in crime, Oak Lawn officials want to assure residents that these incidents are being addressed. Village Manager Tom Phelan made it clear during an Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday morning that they are working in tandem with the police to solve the…

A Boy Scout places a wreath at the Eternal Flame Monument as other members of Boy Scouts Troop 668 and Cub Scouts Pack 3668 look on last Sunday during the Memorial Day Observance in Worth. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Worth Memorial Day event recalls past conflicts, wars

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Worth Mayor Mary Werner welcomed sunny skies on Sunday morning. However, Werner said she could not take credit for the 70-degree temperatures before the Memorial Day Observance at Veterans Memorial Park at the corner of 111th Street and Harlem Avenue. “We have had plenty of times where we had coats…

Albert and Rosemary Dostal are at odds with city of Countryside regarding nine acres of land they want to sell. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Couple, Countryside at odds over land sale

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Albert and Rosemary Dostal want to sell their empty land in Countryside. But they are finding that a difficult task. The couple, which lives in the 9500 block of 56th Street, owns nine wooded acres south of 57th Street and west of La Grange Road. It’s been in the family…

bridgeview police logo - Copy

2 wounded in Bridgeview shooting

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Two men were wounded May 21 after two groups started arguing in the parking lot at Menards in Bridgeview. Police said the incident started at 8:05 p.m. with an argument between two groups in the parking lot at 9140 S. Harlem Ave. Police Chief Ricardo Mancha said police are trying…

Elected officials, school board members and staff from Summit School District 104 break ground Saturday on the district’s new administrative center. (Supplied photo)

Summit School District 104 breaks ground on admin center, school improvements

Spread the love

Spread the love By Carol McGowan Cook County School District 104 broke ground May 20 on three projects to be done this summer at three locations within the district. The first ceremony started at 8 a.m. at the future site of the District 104 Administrative Building, that will the built at 7509 W. 63rd Street…

CRR NH Prusak Roofing House Ad
CRR NH Uhlmann Improvement House Ad