Know Your Watershed is a coordinated national effort to encourage the formation of local, voluntary watershed partnerships and help assure that these partnerships successfully attain their goals. The initiative is sponsored by more than 70 diverse National Partners representing private and public corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Each National Partner agrees to provide financial and/or ... more. |
Know Your Watershed is a coordinated national effort to encourage the formation of local, voluntary watershed partnerships and help assure that these partnerships successfully attain their goals. The initiative is sponsored by more than 70 diverse National Partners representing private and public corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Each National Partner agrees to provide financial and/or ... more. |
... Consultant Resources
Bees and Pollinators
Buffer Strips
Community Organizing
Conservation Tillage
Conservation Practices—Adoption
Crop Residue Management (CRM) Survey
Drainage Water Management
Cover Crops
Cover Crop Survey
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
Demonstration Projects
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Grazing and Rangeland
Hypoxia
Know Your Watershed
Leadership
Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI)
No-Till
National Aquatic Resource Survey (NARS)
National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI)
Nutrient Management
Operational Tillage Assessment System (OpTIS)
Pasture
Ridge Till
Soil Health
Strip Till
Tours
Training
Water Quality
Watershed Groups Watershed Implementation and Innovation Network (WIIN)
Weed Management
Wetlands
... more. |
Watershed Management Starter Kit
This complete kit includes seven guides (Getting to Know Your Watershed, Building Local Partnerships, Putting Together a Watershed Management Plan, Managing Conflict, Leading and Communicating, and two others), a 13-minute dvd video (Partnerships for Watersheds), companion brochure and an application to the National Watershed Network. In other words, it includes everything you need to get started!
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Know Your Watershed
Livestock Waste Management
Core 4
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Quick Links
> Topics A-Z
> Upstream Heroes
> Livestock Waste Management
> Know Your Watershed
> Online Store
> Become a Member
> Contact CTIC
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... anticipating, initially, the biggest traders from the nonpoint-source aspect being agricultural producers,” Fox says. “Partly, we anticipate their involvement, as they have the ability to cost effectively and most easily reduce nitrogen and phosphorus discharges into water bodies through various farming management practices along water bodies.”
Understanding what producers know, don’t know and are concerned with regarding water quality trading is an important step, Fox says.
“Through our project collaborator American Farmland Trust, we’ve reached out to farmers with listening sessions in several areas to get their perspective,” she says. “We want to make sure this project is amiable for all groups. And, we’re especially sensitive ... more. |
... anticipating, initially, the biggest traders from the nonpoint-source aspect being agricultural producers,” Fox says. “Partly, we anticipate their involvement, as they have the ability to cost effectively and most easily reduce nitrogen and phosphorus discharges into water bodies through various farming management practices along water bodies.”
Understanding what producers know, don’t know and are concerned with regarding water quality trading is an important step, Fox says.
“Through our project collaborator American Farmland Trust, we’ve reached out to farmers with listening sessions in several areas to get their perspective,” she says. “We want to make
sure this project is amiable for all groups. And, we’re especially sensi ... more. |
Components of a Plan
Know your pests
Today, we are armed with improved controls of weeds, insects and diseases. The arsenal of management strategies available allows for better control with less environmental risk.
Know your action thresholds
Just the presence of weeds or pests doesn’t justify the application of a control measure. The weed and pest pressure must be a threat to reduce yields or quality en ... more. |
... to share with conservation leaders in other watersheds, including a booklet and video on leadership lessons and partnership development based on experiences from the project.
A series of fact sheets—distributed to farmers, ag retailers, and crop consultants by CTIC and the local Soil and Water Conservation District—captured key lessons from the project, including:
Creating your own demonstration plots
Establishing and managing cover crops
Spring and split applications of nitrogen
Understanding MERN
Using enhanced-efficiency nitrogen sources
Six video vignettes profiled farmers active in the project, detailing their conservation practices. The CTIC website for the project logged nearly 20,000 page views during the funding period.
Project Sponsors and Pa ... more. |
Facilitated by CTIC, local farmers and interested others lead this project to demonstrate and test best conservation practices on Indian Creek Watershed farms.
The project, sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (with funds provided through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act) will show how conservation practices installed on Indian Creek watershed farms will affect water quality.
Goal
Determine what water quality improvements result when 50-75% of producers and acres in a small watershed adopt compr ... more. |
... 2009
Agenda
Presentations
Which Data Are Important and Why
Using Data to Support Watershed Protection & Restoration Decisions
Watershed Planning and Management
Water Quality Standards & Other Regulatory Issues
Permitting, Funding and Project Coordination
Integrating Watershed Management Into Your Local Government
May 2009
Agenda
Presentations
Where Watershed Planning Fits Into Local Planning and Regulation
Make Yourself and Your WMP Relevant to Local Leaders
Networking Session: Sharing Successes, Challenges and More
November 2008
Notes from Open Discussion:
Crawfordsville Networking Session
... more. |
What's a Crop Nutrient Management plan?
A Crop Nutrient Management plan is a tool to increase the efficiency of all the nutrient sources your crop uses while reducing production and environmental risk, ultimately, increasing profit.
10 KEY COMPONENTS
Ag experts agree that there are ten fundamental components of a Crop Nutrient Management Plan. Each component is critical to helping you analyze each field and improve nutrient efficiency for the crops you grow.
1. Field map. The map, including general re ... more. |
Gulf of Mexico hypoxia issues pose a significant challenge in addressing the protection of the marine environment given the sheer magnitude of excess nutrient loading and the size of the contributing Mississippi River watershed. This nutrient loading is a result of cumulative nutrientdischarges across the largest river basin in North America, the Mississippi River Basin. The Wabash River watershed contributes a significant nutrient load, from portions ofIndiana, Illinois, and Ohio,to the Ohio River, the Mississippi River, and eventually, the Gulf of Mexico. Recent Total Maximum Daily Loads developed to ... more. |
... Number: 829 898 065
Meeting Password: Ctic2#
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To join the online meeting (Now from mobile devices!)
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To view in other time zones or languages, please click the link:
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To join the teleconf ... more. |
... publications, environmental media and local newspapers to highlight environmental improvements by farmers and to inspire others to protect water quality.
We’re looking for examples of great on-farm projects where voluntary nutrient management practices, habitat restoration and/or structural improvements are reducing nutrient loading and other water quality impairments. If you know of a project or a farmer that fits this description, contact Chad Watts at watts@ctic.org.
OpTIS:
CTIC is currently working with Applied GeoSolutions, a data analytics company based out of New Hampshire, to refine and implement a remote sensing-based system that estimates crop residue amounts and determines the presence or absence of cover crops on cropland. Through this technology, cal ... more. |
Apply gypsum to your fields to balance soil structure, Improve nutrient uptake, and yield heartier, healthier crops
There are thousands of agricultural products that claim to increase yields—from the latest hybrids to implements and electronic gadgetry. As a grower, you do everything it takes to maximize output with the least amount of input costs. But as input prices continu ... more. |
CTIC has completed their workwith USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on a project in support of NWQI. This project identifiedsuccessful watershed management activities that engaged landowners, farmers, and the broader public to protect water quality. Insights developed through this project will inform future NRCS efforts to support local watershed initiatives with technical and financial resources.
As a first step, CTIC convenedwatershed leaders from across the country at five forums to learn from their experience—successful ... more. |
... of Syngenta says Heiniger's combination of on-the-ground conservation experience and history of leadership in conservation-oriented organizations made him the perfect choice for the role.
"Ryan has put his farm background and deep love for nature to work in a career in conservation," White notes. "He is a skilled organizer, mobilizer, coalition builder and fundraiser. He knows many of our partners. He has implemented on his own family farm some of the very conservation programs CTIC helps farmers and their advisors understand. Finally, he has led projects and secured grants that have provided him deep knowledge of what it takes to put conservation on the ground so it has a positive impact for all the stakeholders involved."
Heiniger is firmly focused on new ... more. |
At CTIC, we're always eager to share news about conservation with our thousands of contacts across U.S. agriculture. After all, it's part of our mission to Connect, Inform and Champion.
If you've got data or insight about conservation farming systems that should be shared through our clearinghouse of information, please let us know. We can include it in our new, easy-to-search website or weave it into our other communications programs.
Want to cooperate on demonstration plots or programs that put conservation practices to work in real-world situations? Let us know and we will find a way to team up with one of our many programs around the country.
Got a story to share that spotlights your work in co ... more. |
... variables that surround its use—from the cost to haul a comparatively low-octane fertilizer to the energy of soil microbes to the rules preventing its application where P rates are already high. At Purdue, Joern reminds producers and their advisors not to see manure management plans—even the best-designed ones—in absolute terms.
“In a plan, you don’t know the weather, you don’t know everything that’s going to happen to influence that availability,” he notes. That quickly translates to influencing the value of manure.
Proper Application: Big Shortcoming
Determining crop need and manure nutrient content represent a pair of big challenges to producers. But a Michigan State University pa ... more. |
... publications, environmental media and local newspapers to highlight environmental improvements by farmers and to inspire others to protect water quality.
We’re looking for examples of great on-farm projects where voluntary nutrient management practices, habitat restoration and/or structural improvements are reducing nutrient loading and other water quality impairments. If you know of a project or a farmer that fits this description, contact Chad Watts at watts@ctic.org.
OpTIS:
CTIC is currently working with Applied GeoSolutions, a data analytics company based out of New Hampshire, to refine and implement a remote sensing-based system that estimates crop residue amounts and determines the presence or absence of cover crops on cropland. Through this technology, cal ... more. |
... publications, environmental media and local newspapers to highlight environmental improvements by farmers and to inspire others to protect water quality.
We’re looking for examples of great on-farm projects where voluntary nutrient management practices, habitat restoration and/or structural improvements are reducing nutrient loading and other water quality impairments. If you know of a project or a farmer that fits this description, contact Tammy Taylor attaylor@ctic.org
OpTIS:
CTIC is currently working with Applied GeoSolutions, a data analytics company based out of New Hampshire, to refine and implement a remote sensing-based system that estimates crop residue amounts and determines the presence or absence of cover crops on cropland. Through this technolo ... more. |
... publications, environmental media and local newspapers to highlight environmental improvements by farmers and to inspire others to protect water quality.
We’re looking for examples of great on-farm projects where voluntary nutrient management practices, habitat restoration and/or structural improvements are reducing nutrient loading and other water quality impairments. If you know of a project or a farmer that fits this description, contact Tammy Taylor attaylor@ctic.org
OpTIS:
CTIC is currently working with Applied GeoSolutions, a data analytics company based out of New Hampshire, to refine and implement a remote sensing-based system that estimates crop residue amounts and determines the presence or absence of cover crops on cropland. Through this technolo ... more. |
... website byclicking here.
Next CTIC board of directors meeting has been scheduled
All CTIC members are invited to join us around the table at CTIC's next board meeting in Annapolis, Maryland on July 12. The meeting will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Westin, Annapolis.Click herefor a preliminary agenda. If you plan on joining us, please let us know by contacting our executive director, Chad Watts, at watts@ctic.org.
Want to get involved? Join a CTIC committee
If you’re looking for ways to get connected and share your ideas and goals within the conservation community, CTIC has several committees working to continue championing conservation agriculture. To get connected, contact our executive director Chad Watts at ... more. |
... system involves signing a long-term maintenance and operation contract with ISS.
“I'm not trying to turn a dairyman into a wastewater treatment operator,” says Josh, who monitors the systems remotely via Internet links with key components. “We log onto each dairy every morning. We'll often see a problem before they do, and we can call them to let them know they need to check a particular valve or push a reset button. The system is actually smart enough to turn something off if there's a problem and email us. The dairyman just needs to be comfortable around the equipment, be able to check some valves and pumps, and be able to tell us on the phone what they see.”
Penciling Out Costs
Josh Vrieze says a four-stage syste ... more. |
... Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities program.The Connectoris an app being developed by CTIC and its partners to connectthe relevant participants in the emerging climate smart commodity marketplace—buyers, producers, technical service providers, and certifiers–with each other and with the information needed to support transactions among them.
Indian Creek Watershed Project
The Indian Creek Watershed Project brought together farmers and other stakeholders in a central Illinois watershed in a remarkable collaboration that resulted in conservation practices being adopted on at least 57% of the agricultural acreage in the watershed and measurable reductions in nutrients in the creek. The project yielded perspective on conservation practices from demonstratio ... more. |
Mark your calendar for the 2013 Conservation In Action Tour, July 9 and 10 in Livingston County, Ill. We’ll be visiting the hub of several outstanding watershed conservation projects, with stops at demonstration plots, on-farm trials and in-stream water quality testing stations.
More than 40 percent of the farm acreage in the 80-square-mile watershed is enrolled in conservation program ... more. |
... several hours at the end of the meeting's third day in a lively discussion, hammering out a position statement calling for the inclusion of soil carbon in worldwide carbon offset markets. (view the issue statement and accompanying overview of Conservation Agriculture.)
"This has been one of the better meetings I've been to because the focus has been on ‘this is what we know, these are the answers we have, this is what we can accomplish today,' rather than focusing on the problems we have and what we don't know,” said Dan Uthe, an industrial process consultant with Novecta in Johnson, Iowa.
The first day of the consultation was dedicated to exploring the science of soil carbon sequestration in the soil. Researchers from the South American tropics, ... more. |
... with other producers and organizations.
The greatest benefits of our CTIC membership, I believe, are receiving the results of surveys conducted by CTIC, and having the opportunity to participate in work groups that are developing methods to resolve issues.
By becoming a member of CTIC, you will have the opportunity to be better informed of what is happening in agriculture and get to know other partners that can help in solving issues of mutual concern.
CTIC provides me with an opportunity to know and work with a dedicated staff that seeks to help all of its members become conservationists.
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... environmental media and local newspapers to highlight environmental improvements by farmers and to inspire others to protect water quality.
We're looking for examples of great on-farm projects where voluntary nutrient management practices, habitat restoration and/or structural improvements are reducing nutrient loading and other water quality impairments. If you know of a project or a farmer that fits this description, contact Tammy Taylor at taylor@ctic.org.
OpTIS:
CTIC is currently working with Applied GeoSolutions, a data analytics company based out of New Hampshire, to refine and implement a remote sensing-based system that estimates crop residue amounts and determines the presence or absence of cover crops on cropland. Through this techno ... more. |
... in" registration form click here.
Lodging:
The Place Casino is the closest hotel. Workshop participants are encouraged to stay there. For more information visit their website: http://www.palacecasinohotel.com/
If you prefer to pay at the workshop that is fine. Please call CTIC at 765-494-9555 and give us your name and phone number and let us know you will be attending the workshop so that we can have enough food for everyone.
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... tour sponsorship can also be found on our website byclicking here.
Next CTIC board of directors meeting has been scheduled
All CTIC members are invited to join us around the table at CTIC's next board meeting in Annapolis, Maryland on July 12. The meeting will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Westin, Annapolis. If you plan on joining us, please let us know by contacting our executive director, Chad Watts, at watts@ctic.org.
New website and new e-magazine
We're looking forward to launching our brand new website in the next month. With the launch of the new website, we will also be launching a new e-magazine calledConservation Conversations, which will be produced quarterly.
Want to get involved? Join a CTIC c ... more. |
... Tom Jensen on the CTIC board. Welcome, Heidi, and thank you, Tom, for serving CTIC!
Next CTIC board of directors meeting has been scheduled
All CTIC members are invited to join us around the table at CTIC's next board meeting in Annapolis, Maryland on July 12. The meeting will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Westin, Annapolis. If you plan on joining us, please let us know by contacting our executive director, Chad Watts, at watts@ctic.org.
New website and new e-magazine
We're looking forward to launching our brand new website in the next month. With the launch of the new website, we will also be launching a new e-magazine calledConservation Conversations, which will be produced quarterly.
Want to get involved? Join a CTIC c ... more. |
... he says. “If it’s after April 10, it’s corn planting time. Plant corn, and don’t put anhydrous on.”
Instead, Towery says, apply nitrogen at 50 units with the planter and later as a sidedress. Sometimes, in extremely wet springs, applying nitrogen as a sidedress, before the corn gets too tall, can be a problem. But, it can be done.
“I know farmers who plant thousands of acres, and they make it a priority,” Towery says. “They get it done.”
Play it smart
Towery says, regardless of tillage methods, farmers should evaluate ways to reduce compaction during wet seasons.
“Eighty percent of compaction is caused by the first trip through the field,” Towery says. “The trick is to minimiz ... more. |
... LAFAYETTE, NOVEMBER 16, 2023- Thanks to a generous grant from General Mills, a global food company deeply committed to regenerative agriculture, the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) is excited to announce the creation of their farmer-led Cover Crop Coaches program.
This new program aims to further support farmers across Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota with the knowledge and resources needed to successfully adopt cover crops. Cover crops enhance soil health, sequester carbon and reduce soil erosion and nutrient loss. CTIC's Cover Crop Coaches program will play a pivotal role in connecting farmers new to cover crops with farmer mentors in their states. This announcement builds upon the recent expansion by CTIC of three full-time soil health speciali ... more. |
Have you checked your mailbox for CTIC’s annual membership renewal notice? Renewing your membership helps us continue to make a difference in conservation agriculture and helps us continue to grow our organization. CTIC members play a critical role in spreading the message about how conservation practices can help improve soil and water quality, boost profitability and more. We couldn’t do it without you!
... more. |
... satellite imagery to provide detailed data on tillage practices and cover crops at the county or watershed (HUC-8) scale;
Cover crop insight, including details of the economic and environmental benefits of cover crops and the results of five annual farmer surveys on cover crop use;
Tips on organizing watershed groups and multi-stakeholder conservation efforts, including tips, analysis of knowledge transfer, and ideas for creating effective demonstration plots;
Real-world perspective on conservation farming practices and systems that help farmers build profitability and protect the quality of their soil, water and the air we breathe.
CTIC's interim executive director, Dave Gustafson, points out that creating a new www.ctic.org site is central to the Center's mi ... more. |
Ag producers mark your calendars for July 7, 2011. Attend one of two duplicate farm tours that day. The morning tour will leave First Baptist Church in Fairbury, Ill., at 9:30 AM central time. The evening tour will leave the church at 3:00 PM central time. The church is located at 701 North 7th Street, Fairbury, IL 61739-1595. Participants will meet at the church then board a bus to visit the tour sit ... more. |
... support CTIC above their basic level will receive additional recognition at CTIC events, in this magazine and in other ways. To learn more about our new membership structure, click here.
In late February, membership renewal letters were mailed to current members and these new enhanced categories are detailed in the accompanying brochure. If you haven't already done so, please send in your membership renewal today, or fill out the online form and we'll send you an invoice. Then, take a minute to look at all the events CTIC has planned for 2009 and plan to get involved. With membership support and engagement, CTIC will continue to fulfill its mission.
On July 29, 2009, CTIC will host our third Conservation In Action Tour. On this one-day tour in western Illinois, we will v ... more. |
... the procedures for sample collection and handling—a great refresher before hoing back into the field, or just to learn more about NWCA sampling. For more detailed training videos on NWCA sampling, click here.
Identifying the Plot Location
Description
Learn how to pick an appropriate spot to sample.
Video Length - 2:23
Fill Out Your Labels
Description
Filling out labels properly is simple, but it matters. Hot tip: fill out your labels in advance where it's clean and dry—like at the car or even the night before.
Video Length - 1:34
Soil Isotope Sampling
Description
Tips on getting an accurate 10-cm sample with your syringe in real-world conditions.
Video Length - 4:12
... more. |
... and improving water quality.
Increases harvest efficiency and helps ensure adequate forage throughout the grazing season.
Increases forage quality and production which helps increase feed efficiency and can improve profits.
Rotating also evenly distributes manure nutrient resources.
Planning ahead
Is there enough water of good quality available in all pastures to meet the needs of your livestock?
Is the mix of grass and legumes adequate for your herd and soil types?
Will your pasture meet the nutrient needs of your cattle?
Have you considered management alternatives for periods of low forage production?
Tech notes
Plan your rotation so the same paddocks will not be grazed the same time year after year.
Plan rest periods so each pasture (paddock) will have adequa ... more. |
...
How it works
Planting trees, shrubs, grass and other vegetation that provide cover and food will attract wildlife to an area. The type of habitat provided will determine the kind and numbers of wildlife attracted.
How it helps
Ground cover helps reduce soil erosion, adds organic matter to the soil, filters runoff and increases infiltration.
It can add value to your farmstead. Planned wildlife habitat provides food and cover for wildlife.
Planning ahead
Will your planned habitat attract the type of wildlife you want?
Is a particular piece of land better suited for upland habitat than for livestock or crops?
Do you plan to allow hunting?
Are there any endangered or threatened species in your area you could help protect?
How close do you want t ... more. |
... the data. Since then, CTIC has encouraged local partners to collect the data on a voluntary basis.
For more than two decades, the Survey has been used by government agencies, academic researchers, policy makers, industry, journalists, agriculture groups, conservation groups and many others to track trends in conservation tillage adoption. It is because we have this trend of data that we know no-till in 2004 was used on 45.5 million acres more than in 1990, a 269 percent increase. Some of the valuable ways Survey results are used include:
assess successes of Farm Bill programs, state and local-level initiatives
document what farmers save in fuel usage at the county, state and national levels
track the progress of, and measure trends in, conservation tillage adoption
... more. |
Adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices
Data are available for the adoption of cover crops and conservation tillage. Remote-sensing derived, CONUS-wide cropland data for the adoption of two important conservation practices (cover crops and reduced tillage).
Data are currently available for the years 2015-2021. All data are available at the watershed (HUC8) and Crop Reporting District (CRD) geographic scales.
Explore the Climate-Smart Data Applications
Cover Crop
The extent of cover crop adoption on row crops across CONUS (the lower 48 states).
Remote-sensing derived, CONUS-wide cropland data for the adoption of cover crops. Data are currently available for the years 2015-2021. All data are available at the watersh ... more. |
CTIC promotes conservation practices by raising awareness of the benefits of conservation, providing detailed information on successful implementation of practices, and sharing perspective on the needs and real-world challenges facing farmers trying to protect soil, water and air quality as well as their economic sustainability.
Watershed Success Forums
Working with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI), CTIC is identifying successful watershed management activities that engage landowners, farmers, and the broader public to protect water quality. Five forums in five states are yielding a guide for NRCS, partners and stakeholders on organizing local watershed ... more. |
CTIC is working with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to improve the effective engagement by NRCS in delivering watershed projects and to enhance the agency's ability to communicate the issues and success of watershed projects. This project is identifying successful watershed management activities that engage landowners, farmers, and the broader public to protect water quality. Insights developed through this project will inform future NRCS efforts to support local watershed initiatives with technical and financ ... more. |
Working with Partnerships
The Mosaic Company and The Mosaic Company Foundation invest in partnerships with best-in-class organizations to promote many aspects of conservation, including nutrient stewardship, habitat conservation and watershed restoration.
For example, The Mosaic Company Foundation supports The Nature Conservancy’sGreat Rivers Partnershipthrough science-based work with farmers and partners to improve water quality in three key agricultural watersheds in the Upper Mississippi River Basin – Minnesota’s Root River, Iowa’s Boone River and Illinois’ Mackinaw ... more. |
CTIC recently received a Grant from EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative that will fund the promotion of cover crops and conservation tillage in the Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan Watersheds. Agricultural producers will be provided with technical, educational and social support which will work together to create strong cover crop and conservation tillage systems that can be sustained after the project ends.
Education
CTIC will work with partners to host 18 workshops in the three watersheds (Lake Michigan Watershed, Lake Erie Watershed and Lake Huron Watershed) promoting C ... more. |
The EPA's Watershed Academy provides training opportunities and other resources regarding watershed utilization. Users can participate in training tools, webcasts and others informational sessions. To view publications produced by the Watershed Academy, a list of seminars and other training courses or other information, click here.
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Speaker Presentations
Benefits and Obstacles in Water Quality Trading - George Kelly, Environmental Banc & Exchange
Ohio's Great Miami River Watershed - Dusty Hall, The Miami Conservancy District
Water Quality Credit Training Workshop - Jim Klang, Kieser & Associates
Aggregators: Examples and Opportunities - Jamie McCarthy, Kieser & Associates
Sauk River Watershed Ecosystem Services Project - Jim Klang, Kieser & Associates
Great Miami River Watershed Water Quality Credit Trading Program - Sarah Hippensteel, The M ... more. |
Join us at the basic membership level that fits you best – Individual, Institutional or Corporate. For additional benefits and recognition, increase your contribution. Each level includes additionalbenefits through Gold, Silver and Bronze.
All CTIC members benefit from:
One-year subscription to Conservation Partners and Member Mail e-newsletters
Free access to higher-resolution data from the OpTIS Operational Tillage Information System database
Recognition on CTIC’s web page
Please identify which category applies to y ... more. |
... and insight to move agricultural sustainability ahead. We provide the safe space where farmers, regulators, researchers, agribusiness, conservation group staffers and other stakeholders can explore conservation systems that improve soil health, water and air quality, and the producer's bottom line.
In short, we Connect, Inform and Champion.
To do all that, we need your involvement. Please renew your membership in CTIC, or join us today. Encourage your colleagues to join, too.
Several members have upgraded their membership status, including:
Case IH (Corporate Silver)
Indiana Corn Marketing Council (Institutional Bronze)
Indiana Soybean Alliance (Institutional Bronze)
The Nature Conservancy (Institutional Bronze)
Click her ... more. |
2018 Conservation in Action Tour dates and location
Mark your calendars! We are thrilled to announce that our 11thannual Conservation in Action Tour will take place on July 11 and 12 near the beautiful Chesapeake Bay in the Maryland and Washington D.C. area. More information will be announced as it is finalized in the coming months. We’re excited to continue bringing together people from across the country with different perspectives on co ... more. |
Improving the quality and quantity of woodland growing stock and maintaining ground cover and litter for soil and water conservation.
How it works
Existing woodland or other suitable land is dedicated to timber production. Livestock is excluded. Optimum tree populations are determined by the kinds of trees planted and their adaptability to your soils. Existing trees or newly planted trees are thinned, pruned and harvested to maintain desired production. Twigs, limbs and other debris are not removed, maintaining ground cover, reducing soil erosion and providing wildlife habitat. As trees mature they are harvested, and replacements are established.
How it helps
Adds income to your farm.
Adds beauty to your farm.
Ground cov ... more. |
... it works
The way you handle materials that could contaminate a water supply, and the distance of possible contaminants from a well or other water source, can have a dramatic effect on the quality of drinking water on the farm. For instance, if you typically mix pesticides near the well, your chances of drinking water contamination from pesticides escalates. To protect your well, take an inventory of farming practices like pesticide mixing and container washing and disposal. Then assess the risk of contamination and make necessary changes.
How it helps
Modifications in farming operations may improve your efficiency and reduce operation or production costs.
Soil conservation ... more. |
Economic and Environmental Benefits
Profit.
Managing to maximize return on your cropping investment (ROI) requires the perfect combination of science, technology, art, and luck. Some factors, like the weather, still require a bit of luck. Thankfully, science and technology continue to make strides, reducing the impact of uncontrollable factors like the weather and markets. This reduces the risk inherent in farming. By using a plan to analyze the crop nutrient management port ... more. |
... to legumes allows nutrient-needy crops to benefit from the nitrogen added to the soil by legumes. This practice combines the beneficial effects of contouring and crop rotation.
How it helps
Contour stripcropping reduces soil erosion and protects water quality.
Contour stripcropping may help reduce fertilizer costs.
Planning ahead
How many acres of row crops do you need?
Does your crop rotation allow for alternating row crops with small grains and
forages?
Will herbicide carryover be a problem?
Tech notes
Row crop strips need to be nearly the same width as small grains or meadow.
A 10% variance is allowed.
Plant grass or legume field borders instead of end rows and establish
waterways as part of your stripcropping system.
Key lines used for laying out ... more. |
December 2021 Conservation in Action News
A LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
2022 marks CTIC’s 40th anniversary. That’s right, 40 years.
Looking back on our previous 40 years through conversations with members and long-time supporters, CTIC has long been at the center of prominent discussions around the most important conservation topics. Over the years, we have worked on many im ... more. |
Help CTIC pencil out the economic and environmental benefits of cover crops through the "Economic, Agronomic and Environmental Benefits of Cover Crops" project. Below, sign up for our cover crops mailing list or let us know that you are interested in working with us.
For more information on the project, check out our project webpage.
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... of cropland that is managed with various types of conservation tillage practices and winter cover crops each year. AGS, the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have spearheaded the development, testing and application of OpTIS.
“In the past, we have relied on data from cost share programs to measure conservation practice adoption, but we know most farmers implement conservation practices on their own,” said Ben Gleason, sustainable program manager, Iowa Corn Growers Association. “Utilizing remote sensing technology that is ground-truthed allows us to see the entire picture of conservation practice adoption, and the results show that we are making progress.”
Data Results
Using publicly-available, ... more. |
... Mike Komp, I bid a fond farewell to this interim role. There are many to thank for this wonderful opportunity, and I begin with Chair Terry Tindall, a true gentleman and also a genuine champion for conservation agriculture. I also offer sincere thanks to Vice Chair Mark Schmidt, Treasurer Mark White, and the entire CTIC Board of Directors. The CTIC staff have also been a true joy to get to know, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside these dedicated professionals – now in the role of OpTIS Project Director.
As I pass the CTIC reins to Mike, I offer some parting thoughts on the future of conservation in US row crop agriculture. In doing so, I realize some of what I have to say could be regarded as controversial, so let me be very clear that these are my wor ... more. |
Safeguarding the environment is nothing new to John Deere - being green is in our blood. We know that responsible resource management is vital to our company, our employees, our customers, our neighbors and our world. John Deere works tirelessly to develop and offer products that are sound and sensible, efficient and effective. |
... Continuous no-till (CNT) has been around long enough that there is little doubt among experts of its many advantages. Despite the proven economic and environmental benefits of CNT, some farmers remain hesitant to fully adopt the system. In 2004, the National Crop Residue Management survey indicated that only 22.6 percent of farmers were no-tilling. Attempting CNT without proper technical knowledge may cause a disastrous first year and taint opinions toward the practice. Potential economic risks and yield losses during the first five years also can cause farmers to resist CNT. However, if farmers can maintain a CNT system for three consecutive years, the risks begin to fade. Incorporating cover crops into a CNT rotation can multiply the environmental and economic benefits. Cover crops ... more. |
... other areas, it improves water infiltration after the soil reaches its
maximum water holding capacity.
The improved soil structure also reduces compaction enabling plant roots
to be stronger, healthier.
Cleaner water
Soil erosion can be reduced by 90% (compared to intensive tillage). While we have
long thought of soil erosion as reducing top soil, we now know it's one of the
top ‘pollutants’ in America’s waters.
Reducing soil erosion also reduces phosphorous and can
reduce pesticide movement.
Reductions in phosphorous result in reductions in algae and
increase oxygen supplies for fish.
Reduces risk of nutrient escape the soil by increasing nutrient
availability and uptake by plant roo ... more. |
... other areas, it improves water infiltration after the soil reaches its maximum water holding capacity.
The improved soil structure also reduces compaction enabling plant roots to be stronger, healthier.
Cleaner water
Soil erosion can be reduced by 90% (compared to intensive tillage). While we have long thought of
soil erosion as reducing top soil, we now know it's one of the top ‘pollutants’ in America’s waters.
Reducing soil erosion also reduces phosphorous and can reduce pesticide movement.
Reductions in phosphorous result in reductions in algae and increase oxygen supplies for fish.
Reduces risk of nutrient escape the soil by increasing nutrient availability and uptake by plant roots.
Convert ... more. |
... more conservation practices on the ground. The beauty of conservation districts is that they exist in virtually every county and community in the nation, where they work on meaningful, landscape-scale projects that produce verifiable improvements in environmental quality. Conservation districts’ work results in clean air, clean water, healthy habitat and productive soil.
As you well know, it’s an exciting time for conservation in this country. Projects abound, and there is significant commitment from individual landowners, communities, lawmakers and funders to make improvements to our natural resources. We still have our challenges, but the time is right to make significant progress as stewards of the land.
While continuing to fill many of our traditional roles, NACD ... more. |
... producers and four in Ohio — are transitioning a portion of their fields to continuous no-till, while incorporating cover crops into their rotation. Crop consultants provide technical and social support during the transition. Consultants meet regularly with their partner-farmers, assisting with equipment adjustments, timing, seed selection and other related decisions.
“We know that the first five years of a no-till system can be the most challenging,” says Angie Williams, CTIC Project Director. “Using a cover crop, however, can make that transition easier and reveal the benefits of the system.”
This project also offers educational and social opportunities — workshops, farmer network meetings and online communities — so that particip ... more. |
... mines existing farmland to minimize habitat disturbance. However, if mining must be conducted in areas that may disturb native species, Mosaic’s team of biologists and geologists step into action, says Ron Olson, Mosaic research and development manager.
“These teams have a very loving respect for the living creatures on our properties,” Olson says. “We want to know what they are and where they are. We will then relocate the species and continue building their population. And, when we are done mining, we will move those members of the species back onto their land.”
Take, for example, the “friendliest bird in the field,” the Florida Scrub-jay. Although this highly social bird was listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and W ... more. |
... on: developing consistent messages about nutrient management needs and practices in southeastern Minnesota, identifying and bringing the tools/ practices necessary for improving nutrient management, and obtaining funding to support direct technical assistance to help farmer understand, adopt and maintain nutrient management practices.
Working in 14 counties within the Wabash Watershed (two in western Ohio and 12 in eastern Indiana), CTIC has facilitated the formation of a watershed stakeholder group to identify needs for nutrient management within the watershed, identify existing programs and assistance for meeting nutrient management needs, determine what additional tools are needed for success, and search for ptential funding sources. The project's web site, http:www.cti ... more. |
Take a tour of the new WIIN, an innovative website for watershed project managers in the Mississippi River Basin. The Great Rivers & Upstream Heroes Watershed Implementation & Innovation Network (WIIN) is an online resource for sharing detailed information about watershed projects throughout the Basin, including data and lessons learned.
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A highly qualified crop consultant (watershed coordinator) has been identified in each watershed to provide one on one technical support to the producers who participate in this program. These people will meet with producers and help them make important decisions to ensure a successful transition to using a cover crop and conservation tillage system.
Lake Michigan Coordina ... more. |
The Upper Wabash Nutrient Management Coalition is working with the Grand Lake/Wabash Watershed Alliance (GLWWA) to collect data on swine manure nutrient content.
The GLWWA’s watershed action plan, endorsed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, includes objectives related to agriculture. Many focus on reducing nutrient loading to streams. Nutrient loads can be reduced by addressing erosion problems and using best management prac ... more. |
The Watershed Improvement Committee operates the Middle Kaskaskia Watershed project. They are a world-leading group known for their research in NPS (Non-point Source Pollution). |
WIIN Webinar on how to increase interaction with and involvement of producers in watershed project design and implementation. Click to get file. |
... registration form.
We're writing checks right now to the PLUS-UP farmers who participated in the pilot project. We're analyzing the processes and results of the pilot to figure out how to best scale up the program. And we are exploring the possibilities of expanding PLUS-UP so the next number we report to you will be a lot greater than 400 pounds.
Thank you for your interest in PLUS-UP. I hope to see you in Maumee at the August 23 workshop.
Hans Kok, PhD, CCA
Senior Project Director
Conservation Technology Information Center
4R Nutrient Stewardship Training Workshop
Tuesday, August 23
The Andersons
1947 Briarfield Blvd.
Maumee, OH
8:00 am to 2:00 pm
Join us fo ... more. |
... deep roots in the community and the eyes of Washington—and the world—focused on the Bay’s recovery, the farmers and fishermen of Maryland’s Eastern Shore are pushing conservation into a new era. Next year’s Conservation in Action Tour—CTIC’s 12th annual—will be held in the Des Moines area. Watch www.ctic.org/CIATours for details so you can mark your calendar and join us!
Conservation in Action Tour participants fill the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.
Conservation in Action Tours provide a close-up look at BMPs.
Alex Echols of Ecosystem Services Exchange describes controlled drainage management systems.
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... In Action Tour 2013
Stay tuned for more information on next year's Conservation in Action Tour slated to take place at the Indian Creek watershed in Illinois.
Thank you to all sponsors of the Conservation in Action Tour. We appreciate your support and value your contributions to make this event a valuable and enjoyable experience.
Tour Leader:
Evening Social Sponsor:
Dinner Sponsor:
Expo Exhibitors:
& ... more. |
... Williams works as Water Quality Coordinator for the Pesticide and Fertilizer Management section within the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. He pointed to survey results that prove farmers and crop consultants value the NMI program as a useful tool for evaluating nutrient management decisions.
Williams commented, “Farmer and crop consultants indicated they increased their knowledge of application rates and timing, nutrient loss potential and impacts on the environment, a better understanding of nutrient contributions, and economic outcomes as a result of their management decisions.”
Planning Can Improve Yields and Optimize Inputs
Mississippi State Extension offers this definition of nutrient management: “managing crop fertility inputs ... more. |
... phosphorus from farms that were already loaded with the nutrient.
But the writers of the report were clear - the value of electricity isn’t enough to keep a digester viable. Selling composted solids and selling or utilizing waste heat are also vital to a healthy bottom line.
In Oregon, DeVore agrees strongly. “You’d damned well better have a good plan for marketing your solids,” he warns. “You will not realize how fast those separated solids build up if there’s no market for them. There’s no money in electricity, in reality, so we’re drying our separated solids and planning on bagging them.” The Port of Tillamook Bay is working with a retail fertilizer company to build the market for its rich solids.
Trucking: the tippin ... more. |
Conservation in Action Tour Sponsors
Become a crucial part of the Conservation in Action Tour's success by becoming a sponsor. Your sponsorship not only supports the advancement of sustainable agriculture but also provides valuable visibility for your brand. Choose from various sponsorship levels and enjoy benefits such as logo placement, recognition in promotional materials, and exclusive networking opportunities.
Four Sponsorship Levels Available
Ruby, Diamond, Platinum and Gold
Sponsor today!To l ... more. |
... IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Callie North, CTIC (north@ctic.org); (317) 450-9137 or
Steve Werblow, (steve@stevewerblow.com); (541) 951-4212 or
Rob Myers, University of Missouri (myersrob@missouri.edu); 573-882-1547 or
Bethany Shively, ASTA (bshively@betterseed.org); (703) 837-8140 x332
CALLING ALL FARMERS: SHARE YOUR VIEWS ON COVER CROPS IN NATIONAL SURVEY BY SARE, CTIC AND ASTA
A national survey launched today to gather insight from farmers who plant cover crops, as well as farmers who don't. Farmers are encouraged to access the National Cover Crop Survey online atbit.ly/CoverCrop23. The anonymous survey typically takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Your insight will help g ... more. |
... the big questions around conservation farming practices in a changing climate, making sure we can help farmers, policy makers and everyone in between navigate a course that is both economically and environmentally sustainable into the future.
As always, we appreciate our members and partners. We are glad you are with us on this journey. If you have not yet joined or renewed your membership, please do so today. And if you have kept your membership current, fasten your seatbelt: 2021 is already shaping up to be a busy and exciting year!
Enjoy the day,
Mike
Mike Komp, Executive Director
Join CTIC or Renew Your Membership Today!
For four decades, CTIC has brought a remarkable range of people to the table to t ... more. |
Hi -
Thank you to the nearly 2,000 farmers who have already responded to the 2020 SARE/CTIC/ASTA Cover Crop Survey. The survey will close on Monday, April 13th. We plan post a report describing results at www.ctic.org by early July.
If you haven't already, please share your insight on cover crops, atbit.ly/CCSurvey2020. Your answers on previous surveys have helped scientists, conservation farming partners, crop consultants, policymakers and others understand how cover crops are used and perceived in the field.
In fact, these survey reports have even been cited in Congressional testimony.
By participating in this year’s sur ... more. |
CTIC brings people together to share insight and data on agricultural conservation.
Renew Your CTIC Membership ...Or Join!
With the conservation title of the next farm bill in the works, farmers finding ways to use conservation practices to cut costs, and consumer pressure on for growers to farm sustainable, CTIC is at the leading edge of a wide rangeof hot topics. This is a perfect time for you and your company/organization to get involved.
CTIC membe ... more. |
... erodible, damaged cropland into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) that he could have farmed as a tenant. “There is no reason to farm the land if it’s in such poor condition that you can’t make money,” he said. Schroeder has a handful of CRP contracts of his own, including one that covers approximately 60 acres near his home.
To learn more about ways to protect your land from erosion and sediment runoff or to prepare a complete conservation plan for your farm, contact your local USDA-NRCS office.
About the Writer: Jason Johnson is a Public Affairs Specialist for USDA-NRCS in Iowa.
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... in a manure management system. This data is used to match application rates to plant nutrient needs and soil test data.
How it helps
Manure testing and proper application to the land can reduce crop input costs.
Preventing over-application of manure to crop fields results in improved water quality.
Planning ahead
What form of manure do you plan to apply?
Have you calibrated your spreader to apply the volume of manure called for according to plant needs and nutrient value of manure?
Have you reduced commercial fertilizer use after accounting for nutrients supplied by manure?
Will you hire someone or take manure samples yourself?
Do you plan to take soil samples to help determine how manure can be used most effectively?
Have you allowed sufficient time for the labo ... more. |
Structure that stores manure until conditions are appropriate for field application.
How it works
The type of manure storage structure you use depends upon your livestock operation, animal waste management system and planned field application. Several options exist including an earthen storage pond, above or below ground tank, pit underneath a confinement facility or a sheltered concrete slab area. Manure can be pumped, scraped and hauled, pushed or flushed into your storage structure. The structure's purpose is to safely contain the manure and keep ... more. |
... are available for vegetation type, herbaceous net primary productivity (NPP), herbaceous NPP trends, and herbaceous NPP deviation from what would be expected based on weather alone.
Remote-sensing derived, CONUS-wide grassland data for various vegetation type and health metrics. Data are currently available for the years 2015-2021. The vegetation health data are available at the watershed (HUC8) and Crop Reporting District (CRD) geographic scales.
Explore the Vegetation Types and Productivity
Vegetation Types
Annual average plant functional type (PFT) by HUC8 and CRD for years spanning 2015 to 2021.
PFTs include: Annual Forbs & Grasses, Perennial Forbs & Grasses, Shrubs, Trees, and Bare Ground.
View Data
Data Release April 2024
Herb ... more. |
... Program” (PLUS-UP) program, coordinated by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), will pay farmers in the project area $5 to $10 per acre in 2022 to reduce P loads using practices such as no-till or cover crops.
"The PLUS-UP program will provide a financial incentive for conservation practices that help farmers reduce phosphorus loading in the Lake Erie watershed, keep their nutrients where their crops can use them, and build soil health," says Hans Kok, CTIC program director. "Bayer Crop Science has purchased phosphorus credits to provide these PLUS-UP incentives, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has supported the development of a market mechanism that could be sustainable well into the future."
Through educational ... more. |
... and Community Evolvement to Make a More Swimmable California
Erick Burres
Speaker Bio
Erick Burres is a Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist with California’s State Water Resources Control Board where he leads the Clean Water Team. Mr. Burres has a BS in Zoology and a MPA in Public Policy and Administration. He has worked on wildlife conservation, fisheries and watershed stewardship projects since the late 1980’s and has been with the Clean Water Team since 2000.
Video Length - 12:18
Utah’s Joint Harmful Algal Bloom and E. coli Recreational Water Quality Advisory Program
Kate Fickas
Speaker Bio
Dr. Kate Fickas earned her Ph.D. at OSU coming up with novel ways to use dense time series analysis of satellite imagery to ... more. |
Restoring Waters to Recreational Use
Tracking Land-based Sources of Nutrients and Microbial Contamination in a Pacific Northwest Estuarine Watershed
Amy Zimmer-Faust
No Bio Available
No Bio Delivered
Video Length - 12:58
Ambient Water Quality Thresholds for Human-associated HF183: Effect of Water Temperature, Aging, and Co-contamination with Gull Feces
Jeff Soller
Speaker Bio
Mr. Jeffrey Soller is the Principal Scientist at Soller Environmental, LLC. He conducts microbial risk assessments, evaluat ... more. |
... compensation that could include payment for practices already in place.
On June 30, 2020, we brought together farmers, crop advisers, commodity groups and other farm organizations, academia, for a web conference on how to shape this program to make it both farmer-friendly and attractive to credits buyers. Slides from that discussion are available here.
Big Pine Watershed Water Quality Metric Trial
C is assisting Field to Market with a small-scale pilot of an improved water quality metric for Field to Market's FieldPrint Calculator. This effort will leverage relationships developed through the Big Pine Watershed project to collect farm management data and farmer feedback on the new metric.
Supporting Supply Chain Sustainability
CTIC recently began a n ... more. |
... or tile outlets through outreach and feedback event
Determine the impacts of spring application and fall application of nitrogen on nutrient use efficiency on field site
Three monitoring stations collect tile water at a Livingston County, IL farm field.
These objectives help reach the ultimate goal of improving yields and/or reducing N loading into the Vermilion River Watershed as a result of implementing a better N management system.
Project results will include water quality monitoring data associated with NUE in-field calculations as well as demonstrations of the usability of tile outlet monitoring by producers, the cost effectiveness of these monitoring solutions for measuring nutrient loss and the impact of associated outreach efforts to increase ado ... more. |
Argonne National Laboratory found a home for its biomass test site on the Ray Popejoy farm in the Indian Creek watershed.
Argonne is exploring the potential for farmers to employ underused or marginal land to produce crops for biomass energy. Factors studied include economic potential and water quality benefits.
As this project moves forward, funding from the Department of Energy is expected to support the scientific investigation and field study. Agribusiness will assist with identifying potential supply ... more. |
CTIClinks private businesses, non-profit organizations, associations, and local, state, regional, and federal government agencies to address their common conservation agriculture issues. Our coalition-led initiatives range from small watershed projects to national events and conferences. With strength, wisdom, and knowledge in numbers, CTIC’s coalitions work to disseminate information on new technologies and tools, to ensure conservation agriculture works on the ground.
The Conservation Agriculture Systems Alliance (CASA)unites voluntary producer organizations across North America that share similar missions and goals, encounter similar challenges and struggle with all too common problems. The CA ... more. |
Cover crops alter many aspects of the hydrologic cycle.
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;Calibri" ,"sans-serif";times="" new="" roman";times="" roman";"="">Cover crop impacts on watershed hydrology.
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... position of Project Director please click here.
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
The CTIC Communications Director will develop, deliver and monitor programs, messages and materials to promote conservation agriculture. He/she will communicate regularly with, among others, federal, state and local government agencies; agriculture industry, media and associations; conservation groups and watershed partnerships. This position will also be responsible for grant-funded projects that involve technology transfer, publications, information dissemination, media relations or other communication-related outcomes. For more information about the position of Project Director please click here.
COMMUNICATIONS INTERN
The CTIC Communications Intern will assist CTIC staff in creating comm ... more. |
Integrating Watershed Planning and Implementation at the
Local Level
Click on the links below to see the presentations
from the May Networking Sessions:
Presentation Part 1 ... more. |
Date
Location
Contact
February 21
Ogemaw County
Ogemaw Co MSU Extension Office
Rifle River Watershed
West Branch, MI
Paul Gross
989-772-0911x302
grossp@msu.edu
March 15
Allegan County
Trestle Stop Restaurant
Macatawa watershed
Hamilton, MI
Christina Currell
231-745-2732
curellc@msu.edu
... more. |
... Chair, officers, and other board members. Regularly in contact with federal, state and local government agencies; agriculture industry, media and associations; conservation groups and watershed partnerships and other groups funding or participating in projects administered by CTIC.
Qualifications
Journalism or communications degree; or relative, adequate experience
Knowledge of agriculture and conservation issues
Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and thrive in fast-paced environment
Organizational and time management skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 2010 and Adobe Design Premium CS4 Suite
Familiarity with web site development and conte ... more. |
... view the agenda and topics to be discussed, click here.
Sponsored by
Conservation Technology Information Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Tetra Tech
November 9th: Overview of Centralized and Decentralized Treatment Issues
Summary of Centralized/Decentralized Treatment Approaches Water and Wastewater Resource Management ConsiderationsTMDLs, Watershed Planning, Antidegradation, and Wastewater Wastewater Capacity Development and Cost Issues
View the November 9th presentation, Barry Tonning.
Questions & Answers
Links Mentioned in the Presentation:
Rocky Mountain Institute Cost Benefit Analysis of Wastewater Options
Guidance for Federal Land Management in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
U ... more. |
... of natural resources go hand in hand;
•A visit to the Archer Ruffin farm, to learn about carbon markets and profitable conservation, and to engage in a farmer panel focused on conservation;
•Lunch at the Shirley Plantation, the oldest family-owned business in North America, featuring presentations about the Chesapeake Bay watershed;
•A stop at Carter farm to learn about successful no-till cotton production in cool soil temperatures;
The Shirley Plantation, Charles City, Virginia.
Photo Courtesy of Charles Carter.
•A visit to the Paul Davis farm to take part in a series of presentations on how agriculture will play a significant role in re ... more. |
Click for the Grand Lake St. Mary’s/Wabash Watershed Action Plan.
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Water Quality Credit Trading Workshop
July 8-9, 2009
Sherrodsville, Ohio
Speaker Presentations:
Ohio's Water Quality Trading Rules - Gary Stuhlfauth, Ohio EPA
Ohio's Great Miami River Watershed - Dusty Hall, The Miami Conservancy District
Great Miami River Watershed Water Quality Credit Trading Program - Sarah Hippensteel
Community-Based Water Quality Trading: The Alpine Water Quality Trading Plan - Dr. Richard Moore, The Ohio State University
Water Quality Credit Trading Workshop - Jim Klang, Kieser & Associates
WQT Workshop Role-playing Exercise - Jim Klang, Ki ... more. |
Everyone Impacts a Watershed
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... tour of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
Register now online—space is limited. The $275 registration fee includes the 40th Anniversary celebration, bus transportation, all tour stops and meals.
If you're joining us from out of town, the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac is holding a CTIC room block at the special rate of $138 per night. Click here to book your room.
Sponsors of this year's Conservation in Action Tour include:
Ruby Sponsors: Syngenta, The Mosaic Company, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Diamond Sponsor: John Deere, Indigo Ag
Platinum Sponsor: National Corn Growers Association, The Nature Conservancy, Field to Market, Anonymous
Gold Sponsor: Regrow Ag
Silver Sponsors: Nutrien, Case IH
&nbs ... more. |
... Restoration Initiative (GLRI), a bold and generous commitment by Bayer in buying our first credits, the water quality expertise of the team at Heidelberg, and the patience and perseverance of our cooperating farmers, we are on our way to blazing a new trail and rewarding farmers for their conservation efforts.
For more information on PLUS-UP, click here.
Thank you for your interest in PLUS-UP. We look forward to sharing the results of our pilot project with you soon.
Hans Kok, PhD, CCA
Senior Project Director
Conservation Technology Information Center
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... Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), a bold and generous commitment by Bayer in buying our first credits, the water quality expertise of the team at Heidelberg, and the patience and perseverance of our cooperating farmers, we are on our way to blazing a new trail and rewarding farmers for their work.
For more information on PLUS-UP, click here.
Thank you for your interest in PLUS-UP. We look forward to sharing the results of our pilot project with you soon.
Hans Kok, PhD, CCA
Senior Project Director
Conservation Technology Information Center
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... General Mills
Debbie Reed, Ecosystem Service Market Consortium
In addition, Bill Salas of Dagan, Inc. will explore the possibilities and nuances of using DNDC to mine OpTIS data for insights into changes in soil carbon, nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching.
There will also be a Q&A session with the presenters.
Click here to register for the webinar. We appreciated your participation in our first OpTIS webinar and hope you will join us for a second productive, informative hour.
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... has never been a better time to join CTIC. We’ve got great programs in the field and a clearinghouse full of information on everything from selecting the right cover crops to organizing watershed-wide conservation projects.
In addition to the information below, a membership application is now available online at https://www.ctic.org/Membership/Join
Here you will be able to pay your membership dues online with a credit card (available for memberships up to $2,000) request an invoice, or provide us with special billing instructions.
You can find out even more about what CTIC has to offer atwww.ctic.org
Should you have any questions, feel free to contact Crystal Hatfield at hatfield@ctic.org
We hope to pull up a seat at the table for you in 2019!
Sincerely,
... more. |
We’re excited to continue supporting conservation agriculture in 2018 with your help. Here is what we are looking forward to (so far):
Launching a brand new website and a modified logo. Our new website will have a sleek, fresh new look and retrieving information about conservation agriculture will be easier than ever.
Our 2018 Conservation in Action Tour will be held in the Maryland/Washington D.C. area this summer. Plans are already underway, and we’re thrilled ... more. |
We’re excited to continue supporting conservation agriculture in 2018 with your help. Here is what we are looking forward to (so far):
Launching a brand new website and a modified logo. Our new website will have a sleek, fresh new look and retrieving information about conservation agriculture will be easier than ever.
Our 2018 Conservation in Action Tour will be held in the Maryland/Washington D.C. area this summer. Plans are already underway, and we’re thrille ... more. |
Mark your calendars for the annual Indian Creek Summer Tour on July 16. Click here to download the tour flyer.
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... our members, CTIC has grown over the last three decades, expanded our focus, increased and diversified our partners and worked with thousands of people across the country to advance conservation.
Throughout March, we recognize corporate member The Mosiac Company, institutional member The Fertilizer Insititute and individual member Joe Glassmeyer.
Thanks for your membership!
CORPORATE
CTIC recognizes Gold Corporate Member, The Mosaic Company, in our member spotlight. The Mosaic Company sponsors our 30th Anniversary, the Indian Creek Watershed Project and serving as Tour Leader sponsor for the Conservation In Action Tour for the second year in a row. The Mosaic Company is the worl ... more. |
... Bill Herz, The Fertilizer Institute; Bill Kuckuck, CropLife America; Ron Olson, The Mosaic Company; Jerry Snodgrass, National Association of Conservation Districts; Rod Snyder, National Corn Growers Association; John Redding, National Association of Conservation Districts; and Stephen Timmons, Case IH.
Make plans to attend the CTIC Conservation In Action Tour 2010
Mark your calendar for the CTIC Conservation In Action Tour 2010, set for Aug. 3 in Williamsburg-Richmond, Va. This fourth-annual conservation tour will highlight farms and farmers of east central Virginia. The producers have built successful, profitable farming operations with conservation measures, and they provide their community with valuable ecosystem services. With producers, ag advisors, conservatio ... more. |
... and its partners lead projects at the local, regional, and national level to address agriculture’s pressing conservation needs. Each project includes public and private sector partners, shares information about new technology and tools, and promotes agricultural systems that are both economically viable and environmentally beneficial.
Read more »
Do YouKnow
OpTIS?
The Operational Tillage Information System (OpTIS) has been developed by Applied GeoSolutions and CTIC as a method for the automated use of remote sensing (satellite-based) data to monitor conservation practices in agricultural systems, including various forms of reduced tillage and the planting of winter cover crops.
Read more »
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Celebrating Agriculture, Wildlife and Rural Traditions
Hosted in Conjunction with the 17th Annual CTIC Conservation In Action Tour
12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, June 10th 2024
This free, interactive, in-person event will take place at theDucks Unlimited National Headquarters, where you'll be surrounded by like-minded individuals who share your passion for conservation. Limited to 50 attendees, don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with fellow farmers and learn from the experts!
Workshop Agenda
11:30 Registration & Optional Tour of HQ (30 minutes)
12:00 Steak Lunch from Black Leg Ranch – A Conservation Award Winning Ranch in North Dakota
Sponsored by North Dakota Natural Resources Trust
... more. |
... Conservation Technology Information Center, Heidelberg University and Bayer Carbon Program just concluded a one-year pilot of the PLUS-UP phosphorus credit program. On November 15, we will be reviewing the program—the credits, the modeling, reporting and results—and exploring how we could best scale up the concept.
We are inviting you because we think your insight would help us shape the future of programs like this in the Western Lake Erie Basin.
Please join us at Maumee Bay State Park on November 15. The graphic below has an agenda and details on the meeting. Register for this event at the link,HERE.
Thank you!
Hans Kok, Ph.D.
Project Director
Conservation Technology Information Center
& ... more. |
Registration ends TODAY, September 6th at 1:00pm EDT for theCTIC Conservation in Action Tour.
This is your last chanceto register for the nation's best conservation agriculture tour.
Don't miss your chance to see what St. Louis has to offer and explore the past and future of ag with us!
What to expect at this year's Conservation in Action Tour:
Monday, September 12th:
6:30-9:30pm CTIC 40th Anniversary Celebration
Trolley Room, St. Louis, Forest Pa ... more. |
... Density Samples
Description
Collecting bulk density samples can present challenges in different soil types.
Video Length - 4:47
Sampling with an Auger
Description
If you can't dig to 125 cm or cave-ins are a problem, it may be time for an auger.
Video Length - 2:56
Backfilling the Pit
Description
A tidy exit helps your sampling site restore itself promptly.
Video Length - 0:51
Packing Soil Isotope Samples
Description
Proper packing and handling of your soil isotope samples makes a difference to batch lab staff.
Video Length - 0:46
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SHARE YOUR INSIGHT IN SARE/CTIC/ASTA COVER CROP SURVEY
Farmer insights are now being sought for the sixth nationwide cover crop survey by USDA's SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) program, the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA).
The online questionnaire is now open at https://bit.ly/CCSurvey2020.
The surv ... more. |
... gallery and Facebook page.
READ MORE about the tour stops, speakers and topics.
As part of our tour preview, we showcased the farms highlighted during the tour. Check out the video below!
2013 TOUR SPONSORS
Thank you to all sponsors of the 2013 Conservation in Action Tour. We appreciate your support and value your contributions.
Tour Leader:
Social Sponsor:
Dinner Sponsor:
Lunch Sponsor:
Lunch c ... more. |
Whether it's collaborating on a project, joining a committee or just starting a conversation about your own conservation goals, we want to hear from you. Contact our Executive Director Chad Watts at watts@ctic.org or by calling 765-494-9555.
Make sure you check us out onFacebookandTwitter!We look forward to working with you this year.
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Whether it's collaborating on a project, joining a committee or just starting a conversation about your own conservation goals, we want to hear from you.
Contact our Executive Director Chad Watts at watts@ctic.org or by calling 765-494-9555. Make sure you check us out on Facebook and Twitter! We look forward to working with you this year.
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... visitors to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.
Security
This web site takes every precaution to protect our visitors’ information. When visitors submit sensitive information via the web site, your information is protected both online and off-line.
All sensitive registration/order information (such as credit card number) is encrypted and protected with the best encryption software in the industry (SSL). While on a secure page, such as our order form, the lock icon on the bottom of web browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer becomes locked, as opposed to unlock ... more. |
Click here to take the survey online for a chance to win a $100 gift card! Whether you plant them now, used to plant them or never tried… your insight is important. Your opinions will help guide policy, research and education on cover crops nationwide..
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... Board meeting begins
12 p.m. - Lunch
1 p.m. - Board meeting resumes
4 p.m. - Board meeting adjourns
Detailed agenda coming soon.
This meeting is in conjunction with the National Association of Conservation Districts annual meeting. For more information, please click here.
Hotel Information:
Please note there are two Marriott hotels in San Antonio; be sure to make your reservation at the Rivercenter:
Marriott Rivercenter Hotel
101 Bowie Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
210-223-1000
The room rate for a single/double room is $179 per night. This rate may be available three days prior to and after NACD's meeting based solely upon the hotel's availability. Guestroom tax in San Antonio, TX is currently 16.75 percent.
A dedicated website is n ... more. |
The purpose of this Air Management Practices Assessment Tool is to guide you through a process of determining which mitigation practices are best suited to your operation and your objectives. The website is organized into four air emissions of interest: dust (particulates), odor, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide. Within each gas or emittent, sources of emission are categorized by housing, manure storage, or land application.
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... pasture or a steep, eroding cropland field.
How it helps
Heavy grass cover slows water flow, reducing soil erosion.
Good pastures protect water quality by filtering runoff water and increasing infiltration.
Lush pastures give cover and habitat for wildlife.
As plants recycle and roots die, organic matter in the soil is improved.
Planning ahead
Are selected species suited to your soil types?
Have you chosen species that will help you reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides?
Have you chosen species that will meet the needs of your livestock?
Tech notes
Do not mix warm and cool season grasses in the same pasture.
Selected grass and legumes should be compatible with the planned management.
When only two grass species are selected, they should make up equa ... more. |
... topics vary from workshop to workshop, but are all very similar programs. Specifics for each workshop and links for online registration can be found below. Online registration is $20 or $30 at the door. The registration feel will cover morning snacks, facility rental and lunch.
Click here to download a brochure containing information about the workshops. You may return the brochure with your registration information if you prefer to send your registration via mail.
Workshop Details
Lake Erie
March 10, 2011 (Bowling Green, Ohio)
Wood County Fairgrounds, Junior Fair Building
13800 West Poe Road
Bowling Green, OH 43402
Get Directions
View the Agenda with Speakers
Register Here
February 15, 2011 ... more. |
... can be managed efficiently with the latest techniques and technologies, to avoid the potential financial and environmental risks of nitrogen and phosphorus reaching surface and ground water. Learn about research developments and new tools for improving on-farm nutrient efficiency.
Contact:brian.c.williams@state.mn.us
Please register by calling 651-201-6141. Your fee of $10 at the door will cover your refreshments and lunch.
Conference Presentations
Speaker Contact Information and Biographies
News Release
Download Conference Brochure
Agenda
Poster Booth Abstracts
Corporate Sponsor:
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... diseases.
Grass and legumes in a rotation protect water quality by preventing excess nutrients or chemicals from entering water supplies.
Meadow or small grains cut soil erosion dramatically.
Crop rotations add diversity to an operation.
Planning ahead
Do you have use for other crops?
Cover crops may help in crop rotation.
Tech notes
Crops must be suited to your soils.
Design crop rotations to meet the residue needs of your crop residue management plans.
Rotations that include small grains or meadow provide better erosion control.
Small grains and meadow can always be used to replace any row crop or low residue crop to gain better erosion control.
Corn (grains) can always be used to replace soybeans or any other low residue crop in the rotati ... more. |
... Gillespie points out. On a quarter-section, the three-trip conventional tillage program represents $17.90 per acre in costs and 37 hours of work. Outfitting that same tractor with a 90-foot spray boom and making a burndown pass for a no-till program prepares the seedbed in just two hours for $6.47 per acre.
Sure, a $5 or $6 bushel of corn can help eat up those fuel costs, he acknowledges. But preparing a field in two hours instead of two long days, and planting a week or two earlier, can really tip the scales in favor of no-till. That's if the long-term benefits of healthier soil, better drainage, and timelier planting haven't sold you.
For more information…
Check out Dan Gillespie's comparison of three-pass, two-pass and no-ti ... more. |
... Program, created by the 2008 Farm Bill, offers incentive payments to growers who adopt conservation-focused nutrient-management plans.
Depending on farm location, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and other programs also provide support for these practices, including the use of slow- and controlled-release fertilizer products. To learn more about programs available in your area, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) center.
The demand for food, fuel and fiber will continue to grow unabated. So, too, will pressures to protect the environment. Balancing these competing demands will require creative conservation from agriculture, and smart nutrient use will be critical to our success.
For more information on Agrium, visit www.a ... more. |
... it doesn't seem possible, we are nearing the end of another year. Soon we are giving thanks for the good things in our lives and making plans for new accomplishments and adventures for the year ahead.
CTIC is thankful for each of our members and partners across the country. Thanks to your support, we have grown in 2008 and added to our list of successes. We welcomed 52 new members this year. We've added new member benefits this year, too, including the Conservation In Action Tour, a summer event that brought together nearly 100 members and partners to see first-hand how producers are making conservation profitable and sustainable. I hope you all will join us in 2009 for the To ... more. |
... lanes around the field.
How it helps
Vegetative cover reduces sheet and rill erosion by slowing water flow.
Vegetation filters runoff to improve water quality.
Grass and legume strips may be harvested in some cases and are easier to turn on than end rows.
Vegetation provides cover and habitat for small birds and animals.
Planning ahead
Will the width be wide enough to turn your equipment?
Can that land qualify for set aside?
Tech notes
Borders must be at least 16 feet wide, or wide enough for your equipment. *
Borders need to be seeded or left in place when a meadow field is plowed.
Seed with perennial grasses, legumes or a mixture of the two.
Seed cool season grasses between March 1 and May 15 or during late summer seeding period, August 1 to September ... more. |
... from rain and wind until plants can produce a protective canopy.
How it helps
Ground cover prevents soil erosion and protects water quality.
Residue improves soil tilth and adds organic matter to the soil as it decomposes.
Fewer trips and less tillage reduces soil compaction.
Time, energy and labor savings are possible with fewer tillage trips.
Planning ahead
Will your crop produce enough residue?
Is crop residue management part of a planned system of conservation measures?
Do you have the needed equipment?
Tech notes
Planning for residue cover begins at harvest.
Ensure ample residues are spread evenly over the field by the combine.
Reduce the number of unnecessary tillage passes.
Every tillage pass buries more crop residue.
Use straight ... more. |
GOLD CORPORATE BENEFITS
* Recognition in three issues of Partners magazine
* 10% discount on CTIC products during your annual membership term
* Special recognition at a CTIC Board of Directors meeting
* Two gift memberships at the Individual Silver level
* Ad space in two issues of Partners magazine ($600 value)
* Recognition at two CTIC event during your annual membership term
* Two complimentary registrations to CTIC’s Conservation In Action Tour
* Recognition on CTIC’s ... more. |
... (N) they excrete. Similarly, adding the amino acid phytase to the ration helps pigs utilize the most common form of phosphorus (P) in their feed. That boosts the value of their ration and reduces the amount of (P) that has to be managed later in manure.
Well-balanced rations can create well-balanced manure, says Beard. “You can get to the place where nitrogen might not be your limiting factor,” he notes. “You’re much more into balance of a typical corn/soybean rotation when you reduce the nitrogen.”
Synthetic amino acids balance the ration more precisely than metering bulk feed ingredients in or out of the mix, Beard explains, adding that the benefits extend to the neighbors, too. “When you use synthetic amino acids in orde ... more. |
... visitors to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.
Security
This web site takes every precaution to protect our visitors’ information. When visitors submit sensitive information via the web site, your information is protected both online and off-line.
All sensitive registration/order information (such as credit card number) is encrypted and protected with the best encryption software in the industry (SSL). While on a secure page, such as our order form, the lock icon on the bottom of web browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer becomes locked, as opposed to unlocke ... more. |
... training for this year! I not only gained very useful CEU’s in Soil and Water Management…I got to network with people I have not been introduced to before….this was a great experience.”
"I thought this year’s tour was focused much more on solutions than merely on practices and that was GREAT!"
"We utilize cover crops on our farm knowing how important they are. I learned so much more today and look forward to putting it into practice. THANK YOU!"
Conservation in Action Tour 2009
The Conservation In Action Tour 2009 was a success! More than 80 people from 15 states joined CTIC in Western Illinois for a one-day tour visiting three farms and three agricultural facilities. We visited with successful farmers who ... more. |
... application of the Operational Tillage Information System (OpTIS), an automated system to map tillage, residue cover, winter cover, and soil health practices using remote sensing data. While OpTIS calculations are performed at the farm-field scale using publicly available data, the privacy of individual producers is fully protected by reporting only spatially-aggregated results at regional and watershed scales.
OpTIS-based data are currently available for the years 2015 through 2021. TheVersion 4.0 dataset released in September 2023 uses updated algorithms for croplands in alllower 48 states (CONUS). The data are presented in the context of a two-year crop rotation with options to review by the previous and following cash crop for both tillage and cover crops. Both the OpTIS and D ... more. |
... webinar in our OpTIS series. This webinar focuses on how a variety of users are employing the DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC) model with data from the OpTIS tool to estimate the influence of soil-health-building practices on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics. Run through DNDC, the OpTIS data set provides deep insights into the environmental effects of conservation agriculture practices at watershed and landscape scales.
Using Satellite Imagery Data to Understand Trends in Conservation Agriculture Practices
May 29, 2020
Description: A webinar on OpTIS (Operational Tillage Information System), an automated system that uses satellite imagery data to understand trends in conservation agriculture practices.
Informational Animation
OpTIS:
New Data Dri ... more. |
... DNDC Modeling
Data are available for soil carbon changes and GHG emissions.
The soil and GHG outcomes (methane, as well as indirect and direct nitrous oxide) are based on the use of the vegetation type and herbaceous productivity data as input to the DNDC model. Data are currently available for the years 2015-2021. The croplands DNDC modeling results are available at the watershed (HUC8) and Crop Reporting District (CRD) scales.
View Data
Data Release September 2023
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Remote-sensing derived, CONUS-wide cropland data for the adoption of two important conservation practices (cover crops and reduced tillage), as well as soil and GHG outcomes based on the use of these practice-adoption data as input to the DNDC model.
Data are currently available for the years 2015-2021. All data are available at the watershed (HUC8) and Crop Reporting District (CRD) geographic scales.
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... uses remote sensing (satellite-based) data to monitor conservation practices in agricultural systems, including various forms of reduced tillage and the planting of winter cover crops. While the OpTIS calculations are performed and validated at the farm-field scale, the privacy of individual producers is fully protected by distributing only spatially-aggregated results – at the county and watershed (8-digit HUC) scale.
CTIC has been the primary source of this type of conservation practice monitoring data for nearly 30 years. In partnership with USDA and many others, the CTIC curates and distributes the National Crop Residue Management (CRM) Survey, collected using validated transect methods – annually in most states from 1989 through 2004, and again in 2006 and 2008. OpTIS fills cr ... more. |
... OpTIS algorithm. OpTIS utilizes publicly available satellite imagery to track tillage practices and cover crop adoption around the globe.
Dr. Dave Gustafson, Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), using OpTIS data to quantify the relative effectiveness of cover crops and conservation tillage at reducing phosphorous loads to Lake Erie.
Before the webinar...try OpTIS yourself! An intuitive visualization tool on the CTIC website (ctic.org/OpTIS) allows users to explore OpTIS data, zooming in on watersheds of interest and moving sliders to vary the date range they want to study.
Click here to register for the April 26 webinar. Past OpTIS webinars are archived online at ctic.org/OpTIS.
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... in the soil.
A webinar on Friday, April 14 will delve into the new data, new algorithm, and an exploration of how people are using OpTIS in their research. Check ctic.org/OpTIS for webinar details in the coming weeks.
Free Online Access
An intuitive visualization tool on the CTIC website (ctic.org/OpTIS) allows users to explore the data, zooming in on watersheds of interest and moving sliders to vary the date range they want to study. OpTIS data are available free on the site at the HUC 8 watershed or Crop Reporting District (CRD) level. CTIC members have access to customized data formats, and finer granularity can be arranged through Regrow via its Sustainability Insights platform.
“Since its introduction in 2019, OpTIS has provided ... more. |
Drawing on talent from across the U.S. and around the world, St. Louis is a vibrant hub for agriculture and technology- the perfect place to celebrate 40 years of conservation in action. Download the agenda HERE.
Monday, September 12th:
6:30-9:30pm CTIC 40th Anniversary Celebration
Trolley Room, St. Louis, Forest Park
Speakers include:
-Rod Snyder, Agriculture Advisor, EPA
- Scott Her ... more. |
... Information
CTIC is a clearinghouse of information on conservation agriculture. We can help you find documents, data, and links on a wide range of practices and systems.
Our Climate Commitment
Having served since 1982 as one of the nation’s leading proponents for the adoption of agricultural conservation practices (e.g. no-till and cover crops) that are now known to have major climate benefits, we have played a direct role in US row crop farmers sequestering or avoiding at least 50 million metric tons of CO2e annually, for a cumulative total of more than 2 gigatons over our first four decades of operation. CTIC will continue to advance practical systems that improve soil health and water quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience to int ... more. |
... one that took well over a year to achieve through a seemingly endless series of Zoom calls. So far, Covid has prevented us from holding a kick-off meeting or workshop, but we have been able to launch our first market for dissolved reactive phosphorus in the Western Lake Erie Basin.
Here are the highlights, by the numbers:
10 growers in the Maumee, Sandusky, and Cedar-Portage watersheds signed up
5,000 acres enrolled in PLUS-UP
Bayer Carbon Program underwrites DRP credits
Participating farmers are sharing field data from the 2021 cropping season and the winter of 2021-2022 with the National Center for Water Quality Research at Heidelberg University. The Heidelberg team will use those details to calculate the effect of each farmer's conservation practi ... more. |
OpTIS 2.1—FEATURING 2020 DATA—WILL BE ONLINE FREE BY YEAR-END
A new year's worth of remote sensing data on tillage and winter cover crops from the Operational Tillage Information System (OpTIS) will be available by the end of December, expanding the dataset that extends back to 2005 across the Corn Belt.
A powerful, intuitive visualization tool on the CTIC website allows visitors to explore t ... more. |
THIS IS THE PERFECT YEAR TO BE PART OF CTIC
2022 is the perfect time to join CTIC- join CTIC as a member as we celebrate our 40th anniversary and hostour annual tour.
https://ctic.org/Membership/Membership_Info
YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN CTIC SUPPORTS:
• Innovations in tracking the adoption of conservation on the ground...from field-level validation to online surveys to remote sensing
• Demonstrations of conservation systems
• Education on everything from cover crop establishment to cutting-edge tools and models
• Training for farmers, CCAs and retail agronomists, conservation agency ... more. |
... Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA Region 5 Administrator Kurt Thiede announced today in a Chicago press event that the agency will fund the groups' three-year project—which uses satellite data, sophisticated models, farmer training programs, and direct incentives to create a market-driven reduction in phosphorus (P) runoff in the Ohio watersheds—with more than $472,000.
Mike Komp, CTIC's executive director, pointed out that the project will link not only extensive data collection, modeling, and on-the-ground action, but also link farmers with food companies and other players in the agricultural supply chain seeking to improve water quality.
“This grant will kick start an effort to link fa ... more. |
... compiled residue management transect data collected by USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel and conservation district staff in most states," says Gustafson. "That data for 1989 through 2004 are still available on our website, and still provide useful perspective for researchers studying the environmental impacts of conservation adoption. With OpTIS, we are bringing our knowledge up to date and adding unprecedented levels of resolution to the world's understanding of crop residue management and cover crops in the Corn Belt."
Wide Range of Applications
Queries of OpTIS data at www.ctic.org can be customized by year, units, crops and geographic area. The data can be used in a wide range of applications, including:
Tracking progress in mee ... more. |
... with people you wouldn't ordinarily get to walk around a farm with," says Tim Palmer, who is co-chairing the Conservation in Action Tour planning committee with fellow CTIC board member Peyton Harper.
"It's a great opportunity for a farmer like me to sit down with an EPA official from headquarters, a scientist from the university, a conservation biologist from a watershed project and a sales rep from a big manufacturer and talk about what we're seeing that day," Palmer adds.
Sponsorship opportunities are available—contact Crystal Hatfield at the CTIC office (765/494-9555 or hatfield@ctic.org) to learn more. Currently, John Deere is once again sponsoring the opening night social on August 20. The Mosaic Company and Bayer CropScience are Diamon ... more. |
Urban Stream Restoration Field Manual
This manual contains urban stream rehabilitation techniques, measured in-stream enhancements of fisheries, habitat, and bethnos, fluvial geomorphic analysis of streams and resulting effects of watershed and stream alterations, and rural applications of the selected stream rehabilitation techniques. These are all described using a straight-forward approach. The manual is full color and 143-pages.
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... fertilizer in the fall, in a strip-tilled area. He harvested the plots with his yield-monitor-equipped combine.
We analyzed his yield data along with fertilizer rate and other data including field observations and soil and plant analysis and we used the Crop Nutrient Response Tool* to determine the maximum economic rate of nitrogen: 212 pounds per acre.
We encourage other farmers in the watershed to adopt this approach to collecting information critical to making fully informed nitrogen management decisions.
*International Plant Nutrition Institute designed the Crop Nutrient Response Tool to assist interpretation and record-keeping for on-farm field crop trials involving multiple rates of any added nutrient. It provides the an estimate of optimum rate for a single-year response - t ... more. |
Environmental Change Initiative, June 2016
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Mississippi River Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force
Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico--Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium
USGS Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico Studies
National Ocean Service
Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Watch
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « Application Timing
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « SUPERU
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « Strip-till Nitrogen
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « Strip Tillage Fall Nitrogen Application
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « Slow Release Fertilizer
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « Phosphorus Sidedress with MicroEssentials®
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « Nitrogen Application Timing
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « Agrium's ESN® v. Urea
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... Farmer, August 2018
Landowners Support Cover Crops
Corn and Soybean Digest, August 2018
Time Is Money
Corn and Soybean Digest, July 2018
Nitrogen Cycling and Cover Crops
Corn and Soybean Digest, June 2018
All In On Cover Crop
Corn and Soybean Digest, April 2018
Study Links Best Management Practices To Cleaner Watershed
Environmental Change Initiative, June 2016
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... of remote sensing (satellite-based) data to monitor conservation practices in agricultural systems, including various forms of reduced tillage and the planting of winter cover crops. While the OpTIS calculations are performed and validated at the farm-field scale, the privacy of individual producers is fully protected by distributing only spatially-aggregated results – at the county and watershed (8-digit HUC) scale.
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The Indian Creek Watershed Project demonstrated the power of voluntary conservation practices to impact local water quality. Hear local farmers explain how their community banded together to put conservation systems into action.
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... The first-ever CTIC Dialogues briefed Washington, DC, staffers on how good policy yields good conservation.
• The 6th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture brought people from 51 countries to Winnipeg to share their insight and BMPs.
• We hosted a hypoxia panel for leading farm journalists at the Agricultural Media Summit.
• Our Indian Creek Watershed Project yielded a highly successful tour and three great presentations at the 2014 International Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference.
• We kicked off our 2.5-year Economic, Agronomic and Environmental Benefits of Cover Crops CIG project.
• Our 7th annual Conservation in Action Tour brought more than 150 conservation-minded participants to Florida for a look at cutt ... more. |
... AgroSciences also provides educational tools on environmental stewardship. Along with technical explanations of the science behind nitrogen stabilizers on its website, the company provides information on how the nitrogen stabilizers are part of environmental stewardship.
In the company's work with CTIC, Dow AgroSciences supports the Indian Creek Watershed Project and served as a Platinum Sponsor for the 6th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture.
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Registration has opened for the 2013 Conservation In Action Tour! Join us on July 9 and 10 in Livingston, Ill., as we explore innovative conservation practices in and around the Indian Creek watershed. Celebrating the theme of Community 4 Conservation, this year's tour will bring together agriculture leaders from all over the country – including farmers, crop advisors, regulators and lawmakers – to learn and share conservation practices.
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Illinois EPA and other partners will conduct water quality monitoring in the watershed to document and determine if conservation practices are making a difference.
This project funded in part by IL EPA through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. |
... Often, these facilities find that it is less expensive to pay producers to implement conservation practices than it is to expand the facility or install new treatment technologies. Through water quality trading, producers, regulated facilities and local water quality all benefit.
CTIC’s market feasibility analysis will determine if the necessary conditions exist in the Wabash River watershed to support the development and implementation of a viable, sustainable water quality trading program.
Partners
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Agri Drain, Duke Energy, Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Indiana Farm Bureau, Indiana Soybean Alliance, and Purdue University Extension
Read the Final Report
For Mor ... more. |
Plan on joining us summer 2013 in Fairbury, Ill. at the Indian Creek Watershed for another unforgettable Tour.
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CTIC and farmer leaders will host an informative field tour on July 10, 2012 for participants interested in learning more about products, practices, equipment and technology that are both profitable and responsible. The tour, a funtion of the Indian Creek Watershed Project, will showcase Livingston County farms and field trials in Fairbury, Illinois.
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... application afforded the highest yields
Spring application revealed most efficient nitrogen use
Fall application displayed lower economic return on nitrogen, due to nitrogen losses
Fall timing had lowest yield
Split timing was better than fall but not as good as spring application
We encourage other farmers in the watershed to adopt this approach to collecting information critical to making fully informed nitrogen management decisions.
*International Plant Nutrition Institute designed the Crop Nutrient Response Tool to assist interpretation and record-keeping for on-farm field crop trials involving multiple rates of any added nutrient. It provides the an estimate of optimum rate for a sing ... more. |
Economic Benefits with Environmental Protection
Explores many of the challenges, opportunities management tactics and successful marketing efforts that helped shape promotion of conservation in the Great Lakes watershed and North Central region.
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Today there are thousands of Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) nationally that require an National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)permit. Producers and their technical service providers need specialized informationand assistance with new technologies to resolve livestock waste management issues and address water quality concerns.
Collaborative watershed effortsfocused on managing livestock waste need resourcesto help inform the public and the producers.
Project Partner
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5
Activities
This project employs information technology transfer through published articles in CTIC's Partners online magazine, a manure management web site with links toinnovative techn ... more. |
Great Lakes Cover Crop Initiative The Great Lakes Cover Crop Initiative (GLCCI) is a regional effort to establish 15 thousand acres of cover crops in the Lake Michigan, Lake Erie and Lake Huron watersheds in three years.
This goal will be accomplished through extensive outreach through field days, workshops and other conservation events. In addition to the outreach events, GLCCI coordinators are working in each watershed to give farmers one on one consultations to help them establish successful cover crops and learn to manage their systems to include growing acres of cover crops.
... more. |
... Northwest Ohio farms while participants learned how the producers make conservation an integral part of their operations.
CTIC welcomed participants from Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, South Dakota, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. And more than 15 agribusinesses shared their knowledge, expertise and product information.
Rex Martin, CTIC board chair and Syngenta Crop Protection head of industry affairs, shares his thoughts. “This tour really shows the value of CTIC – bringing together a diverse group of people to learn about, talk about and explore new opportunities for conservation in agriculture. Excellent farms, important dialogue and a great mi ... more. |
... and monitor programs, messages and materials to promote conservation agriculture. He/she will assist CTIC staff in creating communications and information material that supports CTIC projects, promotes CTIC and provides value to our membership. Audiences include, among others, federal, state and local government agencies; agriculture industry, media and associations; conservation groups and watershed partnerships.
This paid position is available June 1, 2011, for full-time (40-hour week) work through the summer. Qualified interns may extend the work period, at part-time status, through December 2011.
See the job description (here) to learn more. Contact Amber Gritter (gritter@ctic.org) to apply.
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... practices themselves is wise.
Watering cups cut water waste by 50 percent, reducing the volume of manure and increasing its nutrient concentration.
Photo courtesy of Steve Werblow
"We have been hard at work to reach farmers in Missouri's Bootheel, in south-central and southeastern Minnesota, and in the upper Wabash River watershed, which flows from Ohio through 12 counties in Indiana," Jones says. "At a meeting in early March, I met with representatives of Bootheel Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. and experts from the University of Missouri, the Missouri Corn Growers Association, and others, to look at the latest tools and techniques in farm nutrient management. There is a lot to talk about that makes ... more. |
... land management.
Photo courtesy of USDA-NRCS.
Ecocommerce: The Next-Generation Ecoservice Market
Today’s ecoservice markets
By Tim Gieseke
Seventy-five years ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) placed value on soil resources with the creation of the Soil Conservation Service, now known as the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), creating incentive programs to encourage producers to conserve soil.
Several decades later, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency implemented a regulatory approach to resource conservation.
Both efforts succeeded to a point. However, their shortcomings have initiated ecoservice markets.
After a decade of progress, ... more. |
... fertilization, seeding and secondary application of nutrients. Additional BMPs, including no-till and low-till systems, conservation buffers and nitrate reducers, are being implemented. Cover crops are also being used to hold the soil in place and prevent erosion, while reducing a crop’s overall nitrogen needs through bacterial fixation.
Whether farmers rely upon their own knowledge or the agronomic expertise of a fertilizer retailer, certified crop advisor (CCA), farm manager or extension services specialist, BMPs that incorporate one or more elements of the 4R nutrient stewardship system are maximizing profits per acre, while minimizing impacts on the environment.
Many roles in promoting the 4R system
Each agricultural stakeholder may be tied to the social, ec ... more. |
... water quality results from reducing amounts of nutrients, chemicals, animal waste and sediment entering the stream.
Buffer zones provide cover and habitat for birds and small animals.
Planning ahead
Have you planned to install an offstream water system for livestock or limited livestock access to the stream?
Are proper soil conservation measures installed in the stream watershed to prevent siltation of buffer zones and streambed?
Will a stream crossing be needed for livestock?
Tech notes
Fence livestock out of the stream.
Smooth streambanks to provide an adequate seedbed for vegetation.
The vegetation area along streambanks should be between 15 and 25 feet wide. *
Remove fallen trees, stumps and debris that might cause turbulence in the stream.
Remove t ... more. |
Intro to Watershed Planning & 9 Elements
Getting the Big Picture
Purposes of Chemical, Physical, and Biological Monitoring
Common Monitoring Parameters
Accessing Existing and Web Based Data
Using Hoosier RiverWatch Data for Assessment and Planning
Observational Approaches to Monitoring and Assessment
Characterizing Baseline Water Body Conditions
Interpreting and Using Existing Data to Identify P ... more. |
... practices in their profitable operations.
Starkey Farms Partnership , Brownsburg, Indiana
• 8 years of continuous no-till
• Gradually incorporated 200 acres of annual ryegrass as cover crop
• Gypsum added as a soil amendment to improve soil structure and infiltration
• Tile Nitrogen outflow monitored by a local university because the farm is within a watershed that supplies drinking water to nearby Indianapolis
Lamb Farms , Lebanon, Indiana
• 84% of corn and soybeans are no-till or strip-till
• RTK systems used to apply and manage nutrients
• 98 percent of compost produced is used on their farm for fertilizer and soil amendment
• Nearly 50 acres of conservation buffers along ditches
Meadowlane Farms , Frankfort, ... more. |
... an NPDES permit.
Clearly, the bottom line is that anyone helping livestock producers navigate the regulatory straits will need to keep a close eye on the words used in the regulation, as well as EPA guidance on manmade devices “similar to” ditches.
The stakes, and the potential benefits, are high for both the medium-sized producer and the rest of the stakeholders in their watershed. Applying for an NPDES permit can be expensive and time-consuming—a particular challenge for relatively modest-sized farms—and compliance can require expensive modifications to a farm operation. Clear-eyed assessment and a clear sense of water quality regulations can help medium AFO operators protect water quality while reducing their regulatory burden.
CAFO vs. AFO
At their m ... more. |
National Soil Tilth Laboratory
USDA Agricultural Research Service
Established 1989
Research laboratory within the USDA-ARS organization charged with conducting research on farming systems and their impact on air, soil, and water quality. Multidisciplinary research teams address problems using multiple scales of studies that range from basic laboratory analyses of soils to watershed and regional assessment of farming systems impacts on environmental quality and production efficiency.
Mission, Goals and Contact Information
www.ars.usda.gov/mwa/ames/nstl
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This page is your gateway to the inner workings of the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC). Our Board of Directors Meetings are where we discuss important strategies and decisions that influence our efforts in promoting sustainability and conservation in agriculture.
On this page, you'll find information about our past and upcoming meetings, including meeting agendas and minutes. We beli ... more. |
... and the environment.
Power of Partnership
Together with partners such as the American Soybean Association, National Association of Conservation Districts, Soil Health Institute, and more, Farmers for Soil Health is poised to make a significant impact on agriculture. Our commitment to keeping farmers' goals at the center of our mission drives us forward.
Ready to Transform Your Farm?
Join the Farmers for Soil Health program and be a part of a brighter, more sustainable future for agriculture.
Resources (handouts, webinar recordings etc.)
Farmers for Soil Health webinars
Learn tips from farmers who use cover crops in northern climates, as well as pointers on terminating covers. You'll also learn about CTIC's new Cov ... more. |
... opportunities and also instructive for policymakers evaluating the role of cover crops in farm policy."
For the full survey report and additional resources on cover crops, visit www.ctic.org/data/Cover_Crops_Research_and_Demonstration_Cover_Crop_Survey or www.sare.org/covercropsurvey. To locate cover crop seed dealers in your area, visit ASTA's cover crop seed map.
# # #
CAPTIONS
[Rob_Myers_SARE.jpg] Dr. Rob Myers of the USDA-NIFA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program says a new cover crop survey found that incentive payments provide an important boost for cover crops, but 90% of the farmers currently receiving inc ... more. |
Don’t miss your chance to register for the 2023 Conservation in Action Tour!
Registration for the Conservation in Action Tour in Frankenmuth, Michigan is still open. Join us next week, July 10-11th.
This year’s tour theme, Experiencing Conservation in Supply Chains, will help connect the circle from farmer to consumer.
Attendees can look forward to seeing t ... more. |
Early registration for the 2023 Conservation in Action Tour is ending soon!
Don't miss your chance to get the early registration rate for the16th annual Conservation in Action Tour in Frankenmuth, Michigan, July 10-11, 2023!
This year’s tour theme, Experiencing Conservation in Supply Chains, will help connect the circle from farmer to consumer. At this year’s event, farmers, input suppliers, conservation advocates and processors will dig deep and share the ... more. |
... Social
John Deere
Diamond
Bayer CropScience
Monsanto
Platinum
Dow AgroSciences
Syngenta
The Fertilizer Institute
Click hereto see a complete list of 2017 Tour sponsors.
Why attend the Tour?
This is one of the most well-organized multi-stop tours I've ever been on - I'm hoping to take some of your great ideas and implement them.
~Anonymous, 2016 Tour Participant
I loved every second of the tour. Networking and meeting new people, experiencing the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), learning new facts and being inspired by the passion of the EAA researchers and growers all contributed to making the tour an incredible experience. I am so glad I was able to attend. I am already planning f ... more. |
... systems.We’re going to keep our boots on the ground and our hands in the soil as we continue to be at the forefront of conservation. And we're exploring new horizons through projects like OpTIS, which taps satellite data; CSA Connector, which will bring our mission to the app age; new partnerships, new science on a climate smart future for American farmers, and more.
Renew your membership or join us today as we explore those new horizons!
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PLUS-UP Stakeholder Meeting
Join us at the beautiful Maumee Bay State Park for our Plus-Up Stakeholder Meeting on November 15, 2022 from 11-4pm. A working lunch will be provided by CTIC along with refreshments.
Agenda:
*Times and presentations tentative
11:00 Welcome and introductions (Hans Kok, CTIC)
11:20 Background to Phosphorus issues in WLEB (Laura Johnson, Heidelberg)
11:50 ... more. |
CCA Credit QR Codes
Thank you again for attending the 2022 Conservation in Action Tour!
CCA certified tour participants can earn 0.5 CEU for each session attended at the Henry White Farm. Please scan the QR code for each session with the CCA app on your phone. Any questions, please email Hans Kok at kok@ctic.org.
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... Our friends at the Hilton Frontenac, St. Louis have extended the room block offer for the 2022 Conservation in Action tour!Book today to get the special $138/night CTIC Conservation in Action Tour room rate!
Our room block now closes on Tuesday, so don’t miss this chance to take advantage of the great discount.
Book your room now!
Learn more and register today!
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Register today to earn 4 nutrient management CEUs free!
Visit ctic.org for the full agenda.
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... to miss!
Finally, we will spend theevening with dinner and drinks surrounded by friends within the agriculture industry. We'll hear from special, soon to be announced speakers for insight into the world of conservation agriculture today…and tomorrow.
Registration is now open!
Pleaseclick herefor a speical opportunity to book your room at the official Conservation in Actiontour hotel!
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This is your chance to get a (virtual) front row seat for the latest OpTIS research updates! Since you last joined us for an OpTIS webinar, we’ve added data for 2019-2020 and even more states.
We’ll be joined by Prof. Roderick Rejesus of NC State as he’ll describe how he used remote sensing data from OpTIS to study the impact of crop insurance programs on cover crop use. The Ope ... more. |
Download the Abstract Book & Poster Session Presenter List
Get your copy of the Virtual National Recreational Water Quality Workshop Abstract booktoday! Download the PDFfile and view all of the available abstracts.
DownloadSpeaker List
Download Abstract Book
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... nutritious dairy foods, beverages and ingredients for the health of people, communities and the earth.
The Fertilizer Institute
www.tfi.org
As the national voice of the fertilizer industry in the media, The Fertilizer Institute works to promote and protect industry efforts through legislative and regulatory activities, address issues impacting member companies and share industry knowledge.
Bronze Institutional Member
The Nature Conservancy
www.nature.org
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.
The Sand County Foundation
www.sandcounty.net
Sand County Foundation is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedica ... more. |
CTIC Membership 2020 - Coming soon!
CTIC is creating a new membership structure to better serve you and your businesses.
Check back soon
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... we improve our understanding of how to manage for better soil, cleaner water, greater profits and a brighter future. We call this management approach the Core 4. The four fundamental components integrated into this approach are: Conservation Tillage; Crop Nutrient Management; Weed and Pest Management; and Conservation Buffers. If you’d like to learn more about the Core 4 approach, call your local agronomic and/or natural resources professional:
* Agricultural Retailer
* Certified Crop Advisor
* Conservation District
* Extension Agent
* Independent Crop Consultant
* Natural Resources Conservation Service
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Thank you for attending CTIC's 12th annual Conservation In Action Tour. If you haven't already, please respond to this quick evaluation. We really do use your responses to improve future events. You can reach us with any questions or feedback that don't fit the evaluation form at ctic@ctic.org or 765-494-9555.
2019 Conservation In Action Tour evaluation
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VPK7G5X
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CTIC welcomed participants from Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, South Dakota, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. And more than 15 agribusinesses shared their knowledge, expertise and product information.
Rex Martin, CTIC board chair and Syngenta Crop Protection head of industry affairs, shares his thoughts. “This tour really shows the value of CTIC – bringing together a diverse group of people to learn about, talk about and explore new opportunities for conservation in agriculture. Excellent farms, important dialogue and a great mi ... more. |
... are saying about the most valuable part of the Tour...
“Today’s tour has been the highlight of my professional training for this year!
I not only gained very useful CEU’s in Soil and Water Management…I got to network with people I have not be introduced to before….this was a great experience.”
"We utilize cover crops on our farm knowing how important they are. I learned so much more today and look forward to putting it into practice. THANK YOU!"
"I thought this year’s tour was focused much more on solutions than merely on practices and that was GREAT!"
"Meeting new friends in our business and seeing beautiful parts of the country. Great to see people out of Washington on Tou ... more. |
Here is where you come to download resources for your training
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CTIC members play a critical role when it comes to spreading and championing the message of conservation agriculture. Keep growing and learning with us by renewing your CTIC membership!To renew, please email Crystal Hatfield at hatfield@ctic.org or call 765-494-9555.
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Have you checked your mailbox for CTIC’s annual membership renewal notice? Renewing your membership helps us continue to make a difference in conservation agriculture and helps us continue to grow our organization.
CTIC members play a critical role in spreading the message about how conservation practices can help improve soil and water quality, boost profitability and more. We couldn’t do it without yo ... more. |
Here are some updates and reminders as the new year gets underway.
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2018 Conservation in Action Tour dates and location
Mark your calendars! We are thrilled to announce that our 11th annual Conservation in Action Tour will take place on July 11 and 12 near the beautiful Chesapeake Bay in the Maryland and Washington D.C. area. More information will be announced as it is finalized in the coming months. We're excited to continue bringing together people from across the country with different perspectives on conservation ag ... more. |
Here are some updates and reminders as the new year gets underway.
|
... Social
John Deere
Diamond
Bayer CropScience
Monsanto
Platinum
Dow AgroSciences
Syngenta
The Fertilizer Institute
Click hereto see a complete list of 2017 Tour sponsors.
Why attend the Tour?
This is one of the most well-organized multi-stop tours I've ever been on - I'm hoping to take some of your great ideas and implement them.
~Anonymous, 2016 Tour Participant
I loved every second of the tour. Networking and meeting new people, experiencing the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), learning new facts and being inspired by the passion of the EAA researchers and growers all contributed to making the tour an incredible experience. I am so glad I was able to attend. I am already planning f ... more. |
Join Us in Celebrating Our 10th Conservation in Action Tour!
Now is the time to sign on as a sponsor of CTIC's 2017 Conservation in Action Tour and position your company as a leader in conservation farming. Contact Chad Watts atwatts@ctic.orgor call 765-494-9555 for sponsorship details.(Click on the chart below to download a sponsorship flyer.)
Tour sponsors receive:
National recognition and exposure;
Interaction with 200 tour participants, including policy makers, government agency representatives, producers ... more. |
Book your hotel room today for the Conservation in Action Tour! Deadline is Friday, July 22. Click here for direct link to hotel or here to visit travel section on the tour website.
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... The web site also include audio interviews, an executive summary highlighting the information in the publication and the ability to download the
full publication.
For More Information
For more information, contact Tammy Taylor at 765-494-1814 or taylor@ctic.org.
Get Involved
Distribute copies of the free publication and executive summary to your colleagues and constituents Contact CTIC for printed copes or download from www.ctic.org/BiotechSustainability.
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Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation want to learn more about producer cropping decisions. We invite producers to spend a few minutes answering two short surveys about their agricultural operations. Participants could win one of several prizes, including two $100 gift cards. You can double your chances of winning by completing both surveys.
Please click here to take Cropping Decisions Survey #1
Please click here to take Cropping Decisions Survey #2
The answers provided in these surveys are held strictly confidential and used only in combination with all others for industry percents and averages. Thank you for participating in these surveys. ... more. |
Make a difference! Take our SARE/CTIC Cover Crop Survey and share your thoughts on cover crops. You’ll help guide cover crop research, and be eligible for a $100 gift card drawing!
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Recognition in three issues of Partners magazine
10% discount on CTIC products during your annual membership term
Special recognition at a CTIC Board of Directors meeting
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... provides background and supporting information about the importance of soil carbon sequestration in conservation agriculture. It is designed to accompany the one-pager and provide additional information to the reader.
What You Can Do
Share both documents with people who can help us put conservation agriculture into action to help address greenhouse gas emissions.
Send it to your local, regional and national political leaders with a personal note urging them to get more information and to take action.
Request personal meetings with decision makers and review the documents with them.
Contact CTIC to view the presentations delivered during the Consultationand complete proceedings.
Organized by:
Conservation Technology Information Center ... more. |
... 31 - Feb. 1, 2012
Las Vegas, NV
Tuesday (Jan. 31) -- 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Room: Brera 4, Third Level (Mezzanine)
Wednesday (Feb. 1) -- 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Room: Brera 2, Third Level
Hotel Information:
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
3708 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-698-7000
Deadline to reserve rooms is Jan. 9, 2012. To reserve your room online please click here.
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... reducing siltation and filtering nutrients and chemicals from runoff, grass strips improve water quality.
Planning ahead
Have you decided whether you want parallel crop strips or parallel buffer strips?
Are other conservation measures such as crop residue management installed or planned to help reduce siltation of grass strips?
Will planned acres in row crops meet your production objectives?
Tech notes
Buffer strips must be at least 15 feet wide. *
Either crop strips or grass strips may be parallel. Parallel crop strips are easier to farm with no point rows, but that results in less of the slope in row crops.
Grass buffer strips commonly make up 20% to 30% of the slope. *
Maintenance
Control weeds and brush in grass filter strips.
... more. |
CTIC welcomed participants from Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, South Dakota, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. And more than 15 agribusinesses shared their knowledge, expertise and product information.
Rex Martin, CTIC board chair and Syngenta Crop Protection head of industry affairs, shares his thoughts. “This tour really shows the value of CTIC – bringing together a diverse group of people to learn about, talk about and explore new opportunities for conservation in agriculture. Excellent farms, important dialogue and ... more. |
... to conduct a wetlands training workshop in October 2010 and a lakes workshop for the first week of November.
For More Information
Contact Tammy Taylor at Tel: 765-494-1814 or Email: taylor@ctic.org.
Get Involved
Host a meeting for leaders of state and tribal programs for wetlands, lakes, coastal, rivers and streams at a research center or other facility in your area.
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The Winter 2011 CTIC Board of Directors meeting will take place Feb. 2, 2011, at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.
During this meeting, CTIC will elect Directors and Officers to the CTIC Board of Directors. All paid CTIC members are encouraged to vote, however, you must be present at the meeting to cast your ballot.
CTIC’s Winter meeting is held in conjunction with the NACD Annual Meeting, which will be held Jan. 30 – Feb. 2 at Opryland. For more information, click here.
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... assists producers and their advisors in selecting a conservation tillage system for corn in a corn-soybean rotation.
Conservation Tillage Series provides information on crop rotation, weed management, soil compaction, nutrient management, cover crops and economic statistics.
NO-TILL
Energy Estimator for Tillage estimates diesel fuel use and costs in production of your area’s key crops and compares the potential energy savings of conventional tillage and alternative tillage systems.
60 Ways Farmers Can Protect Surface Water provides ideas on how producers can protect water quality without sacrificing production.
NUTRIENT EFFICIENCY
4R Nutrient Stewardship emphasizes four central components: applying the right fertilizer source at th ... more. |
... about the most valuable part of the Tour...
“Today’s tour has been the highlight of my professional training for this year!
I not only gained very useful CEU’s in Soil and Water Management…I got to network with people I have not be introduced to before….this was a great experience.”
"We utilize cover crops on our farm knowing how important they are. I learned so much more today and look forward to putting it into practice. THANK YOU!"
"I thought this year’s tour was focused much more on solutions than merely on practices and that was GREAT!"
"Meeting new friends in our business and seeing beautiful parts of the country. Great to see people out ... more. |
... are CTIC's strength. With our solid, active and dedicated membership, we've demonstrated the value of public/private partnerships, and we've proven that collaboration works. Join our national public/private partnership at the basic membership level that fits you best –
Individual, Institutional or Corporate.
For additional benefits and recognition, increase your contribution to support the important work of CTIC. Each membership category includes additional giving levels of Gold, Silver and Bronze. See our Membership Brochure for detailed information about each membership level.
JOIN TODAY! Download a Membership Form and send it back to CTIC.
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... small grain seeds like wheat and rye. Farmers also use them to plant soybeans and take advantage of the (ultra narrow) 7.5-inch rows to provide natural weed protection and higher yielding crops.
1000 x 671 pixels Size: 329k
Source: Farm Journal
The farmer on the lead tractor is mowing cotton stalks following harvest while another farmer follows him with a type of planter known as a drill. The drill is planting rye grass into the cotton stalks and other crop residues that have been left from past harvests. These crop residues slowly decompose, helping to protect and build the soil in the field while helping nourish the newly planted seeds.
1000 x 701 pixels Size: 474k
Source: CTIC/Mitchell
Pretty, green cotton plants emerge from a field that ... more. |
Equip Your Combine to Chop and Evenly Spread Residue..more
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... from the meeting are below:
Cover Crops, No-till, and Soil Quality, Dan Towery
Indiana Specific Niches, Dave Robison
You have heard about the benefits of cover crops, now learn how to make them work! Spend the day with an all star cast of speakers from Purdue University, NRCS, Michigan State University, CISCO seeds and Ag Conservation Solutions and learn how to use cover crops on your operation.
The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) has partnered with Madison County SWCD, Purdue University, NRCS, Michigan State University, the Midwest Cover Crops Council , CISCO seeds and Ag Conservation Solutions to bring you a full day workshop on How to Use Cover Crops.
First, you will learn about the economic and environmental benefits of using cover crops. As t ... more. |
... cost-share rates).
Limited Resource Producers, Beginning Farmers, Tribal Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Producers are eligible for a higher payment rate. For example, these farmers would receive $108.19 per acre/year through EQIP to introduce winter hardy cereals to their operation.
For more information about establishing, managing, and overall benefits of cover crops, visit your local NRCS office, or find “Cover Crops: A guide for Iowa Producers” online at www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/news/brochures/publications.html.
About the Writer: Jason Johnson is the Public Affairs Specialist with USDA-NRCS in Des Moines, IA
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... Renewable Energy Dave Dunn, Central Vermont Public Service “Cow Power Program” teams up with Dr. Paul Patterson, Professor of Poultry Science, Penn State Department of Poultry Science to present exciting developments on-farm for innovations in waste-to-energy generation and linking farmers to the grid.
What’s ahead for Manure du jour?
Mark your calendar for this upcoming Manure du jour topic (NOTE: Participation in the live session will require a free Friends of Penn State digital identity in advance of the session. Recordings can be viewed at anytime at the Penn State Agriculture and Environment.)
Emerging Policy Issues for Pesticide Use on the Farm Thursday, July 1, 2010, 1:30 to 2:30 PM. John Becker, P ... more. |
... Set for 2009 Conservation in Action Tour
By Rachel Doctor
The 2008 Conservation in Action Tour was a great success. Nearly 100 members and partners attended to see the latest conservation practices of five farms in central Indiana. The photos below show highlights of the tour.
We hope you will join us again in 2009. Mark your calendars for July 29, where the tour will feature stops in western Illinois!
An engrossed group of Conservation In Action Tour participants listens to a discussion at one of the Beck's Hybrids seed company's greenhouses.
Photo Courtesy of Purity Mason
Side-by-side demonstration models at Ru ... more. |
Research & Technology Briefs
What’s Your Fieldprint?
Corn, cotton, soybean, and wheat growers now have access to a free, confidential online tool that will assess how some operational decisions affect natural resource conservation and sustainability.
The Fieldprint Calculator, available at www.fieldtomarket.org, provides an easy way to analyze and assess their current land use, energy use, water use, greenhouse gas emissio ... more. |
... of ash. That's less than two percent of the solids in the manure.
“The only other alternatives out there were anaerobic digestion and composting,” he says of his family's decision to build an Elimanure power plant on their farm. “Each one of those options still left us with liquid effluent to deal with. That means you still have 93 to 94 percent of your initial problems, and you still have the expenses of having to land-apply all that liquid.”
Turkey producer Greg Langmo of Litchfield, Minn., spearheaded the development of a manure-to-energy plant in Benson, Minn., that draws litter from 300 Minnesota turkey operations. He says manure-fueled power plants are exciting because they represent a scalable, regional solution to a r ... more. |
... for waterfowl and many other species of wildlife.
Wetlands add beauty and value to a farm.
Planning ahead
Will soil hold water?
Is there an adequate water supply?
Is there adequate upland wildlife habitat available?
What wildlife do you want to attract?
Will plugging drains or breaking tile lines to enhance the wetland have
adverse effects on other parts of your farm, or a neighboring farm?
Tech notes
Remove trees and brush from embankments and the vegetative spillway area.
Protective vegetative cover should be established on exposed surfaces of
embankments and spillways.
Obtain any necessary permits.
Keep livestock from the area, unless it is included in a planned grazing
management plan.
Dikes and levees should meet NRCS or US Army ... more. |
... Precaution is taken to keep any chemicals from
leaving the field by leaching, runoff or drift.
How it helps
Scouting and spot treatment for only those pests that are threatening can save money.
Using fewer chemicals improves water quality.
Specific treatments for specific pests on specific areas of a field prevents over-treatment of pests.
Planning ahead
Which soils on your farm are likely to leach pesticides?
Did you establish filter strips along streams?
Did you consider pest control alternatives?
Did you use records of crops and pest control for reference?
Did you rotate crops to reduce the chance of pest problems?
Tech notes
Following are guidelines to follow for applying and mixing pesticides:
Complete a pesticide risk assessment of potential ... more. |
... for nutrients to go unused and wash or infiltrate into water supplies.
How it helps
Sound nutrient management reduces input costs and protects water quality, by preventing over-application of commercial fertilizers and animal
manure.
Correct manure and biosolids application on all fields can improve soil tilth and organic matter.
Planning ahead
Have you tested your soil and livestock manure for their nutrient levels?
Are organic wastes or sludge available for you to use?
Have you determined realistic yield goals?
Are proper soil conservation measures installed?
Have you accounted for nitrogen credits produced by legume crops?
Tech notes
Choose best application method. Use broadcast, starter, surface band or injection.
Use the late ... more. |
... it helps
Grass, trees and shrubs provide cover for small birds and animals.
Ground cover reduces soil erosion.
The vegetative strip moves rowcrop operations farther from a stream.
Vegetation prevents contaminants from entering water bodies, protecting water quality.
Planning ahead
Are adequate soil conservation measures installed above filter strips?
Are plants adapted to your soil types?
Have you selected the correct species of vegetation for the control you need? For example, are you establishing the filter strip around a sinkhole, to control runoff from a feedlot or to filter runoff from cropland?
Tech notes
Filter strips are most effective on slopes of 5% or less.
Filter strips for cropland must be at least 15 feet wide.
Steeper slopes require wider ... more. |
... or other crops standing after harvest to provide food for wildlife over the winter. Or you may plant a small plot elsewhere. These plots help wildlife through the winter when food supplies are in short supply.
How it helps
Standing crops with unharvested grain give food to wildlife that may
otherwise not be accessible after heavy snows or ice.
A food plot helps maintain wildlife on your farm by providing food.
Planning ahead
Will the crop you plan to plant or leave standing in the field attract the
wildlife you want?
Is there adequate cover and water near the food plot to support wildlife?
Are you endangering wildlife by placing the food plot too close to high
traffic areas?
Tech notes
Planting dates range from March 1 to June 15 depending on the crop. ... more. |
For over 28 years, CTIC has been collecting and disseminating information on agricultural conservation. From air quality to yield, we have information to share.
Click on the first letter of your topic to see the resources we have available. Don't see what you're looking for? E-mail us at ctic@ctic.org.
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Recognition in two issues of Partners magazine
10% Discount on CTIC products during your annual membership term
|
... conservation practice that truly minimizes the impact of agriculture on the environment – continuous no-till.
Continuous no-till agriculture is smart agriculture. It reduces air and water pollution associated with tillage, improves soil quality and results in higher profits to producers.
If you are a company that consumes agricultural products, CTIC is an organization deserving your support. Most businesses involved in processing ag products to produce consumer goods have to comply with air and water regulations. A company can take their commitment to product stewardship one step further by supporting the only organization that promotes continuous no-till agriculture, CTIC.
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Phosphorus Load-Reduction Stimulus Program:
PLUS-UP
Background
The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) is leading a new effort to pilot a phosphorus load reduction market in the Western Lake Erie Basin (Maumee, Sandusky, and Cedar-Portage watersheds, see map). Growers within the indicated watersheds are now being sought to participate in this pilot market. The “Phosphorus Load-Reduction Stimulation Program” (PLUS-UP) payments now being offered to growers are intended to help offset their costs for the use of in-field practices—cover crops and no-till—which yield quantifiable reductions in the amount of dissolved reac ... more. |
... program between EPA, states and tribes designed to assess the quality of the nation's coastal waters, lakes and reservoirs, rivers and streams, and wetlands using a statistical survey design. The workshop coveredtopics relevant to all four waterbody types. The program included an address and Q&A session with John Goodin, director of US EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds.
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... at the University of Barcelona. His research in Water and Environmental Microbiology is focused on the development of selective and specific methods for the detection of bacteria, on Microbial Source Tracking and on the use of bacteriophages as viral indicators in water, food and sludge. He is participating in national and EU-projects since 1988. He has also expertise on innovation and knowledge management and has been participating as member of technical panels in standardisation agencies (AENOR/CEN/ISO). He is member of the Directive Board of the Water Research Institute at the University of Barcelona, and trustee of the Technology Transfer Foundation of the University of Barcelona.
Video Length - 10:07
Portable System for Early Detection of Harmful Algal B ... more. |
Working closely with US EPA, CTIC is taking the agency's three-day National Recreational Water Quality Workshop virtual this year. Click here for the agenda.
The workshop provides a nationwide forum for recreational water quality managers, stakeholders, researchers and public health officials at all levels to share information and ideas about implementing successful recreation ... more. |
... website features easy-to-use visualization tools for both OpTIS and DNDC data. The tools can be used by a wide range of interested people, including:
Scientists
Policy makers
Administrators of carbon markets
Agribusiness
Conservationists
Farm advisors
"With 14 years' worth of data reported at the watershed HUC-8 or crop reporting district scale, OpTIS provides insight into snapshots or trends of soil health practices across the Corn Belt," notes Dave Gustafson, OpTIS project director for CTIC. "Running these data through DNDC adds a very exciting tool for understanding the effects of those practices on key metrics such as soil carbon, and using the visualization tools on our website reall ... more. |
... the big questions around conservation farming practices in a changing climate, making sure we can help farmers, policy makers and everyone in between navigate a course that is both economically and environmentally sustainable into the future.
As always, we appreciate our members and partners. We are glad you are with us on this journey. If you have not yet joined or renewed your membership, please do so today. And if you have kept your membership current, fasten your seatbelt: 2021 is already shaping up to be a busy and exciting year!
Enjoy the day,
Mike
Mike Komp, Executive Director
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... the Great Lakes— Michigan and Superior. On Lake Michigan, I’ve been spending time chasing salmon and trout and on Superior I was doing some camping, hiking, and scouting for the upcoming fall runs. The freshwater resources that stretch across the USA are truly remarkable.
Over the past months, CTIC has been working with partners to develop a phosphorus trading program within two watersheds on another Great Lake, Lake Erie. As we’ve started to work with farmers and ranchers in the Maumee and Sandusky Watersheds, it’s clear that these programs are viewed with a mix of optimism and skepticism. Optimism centers around the prospect of free markets to support conservation adoption. However, concern over unfulfilled promises of past markets, like the Chicago Climate Exchange, ... more. |
CTIC has worked closely with U.S. EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds (OWOW) to organize a national, invitation-only NARS (National Aquatic Resource Surveys) meeting for 125 water quality professionals. Participants from federal, state and tribal agencies, as well as contract partners, will attend.
The NARS meeting, held in Denver March 25-29 in conjunction with the National Water Quality Monitoring Conference, will explore the direction of EPA's ... more. |
This project, funded by EPA's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, will demonstrate the effectiveness of cover crops and conservation tillage systems to decrease agricultural nonpoint source pollution and inform producers about the economic benefits of the systems. CTIC and partners will assist agricultural producers in the Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Huron watersheds with implementation of cover crops and conservation tillage systems on 15,000 acres by April 2013. Producers will receive technical, educational and social support to fully understand the benefits of cover crops and conservation tillage, to correctly incorporate the practices into their operation, to evaluate the changes and adapt management to optimize yield and resource protection. By providin ... more. |
... can help to increase soil organic matter, eliminate compaction problems and reduce nitrate loss to nearby waterways.
Smart Drainage System™ Photo courtesy of Agri Drain
Putting Producers in the Driver's Seat
By Lisa Newby
The public is becoming more aware of what agricultural producers have always known – the cornerstone of environmental conservation is good resource management, and working together is essential.
The Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC) realizes cooperation is critical to environmental success. ADMC members serve as a resource on the latest technologies in drainage water management systems. Together, they utilize a public/private approach to qu ... more. |
... Scott Crumpecker spoke to field day participants, including area high school students. He highlighted nitrogen management, issues related to the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone, and how agricultural producers can fine tune their nitrogen application practices to save money and benefit water quality. Mike Milam, University of Missouri Extension Service, spoke with high school students about how watersheds work and how we all have an impact on water quality downstream.
For more information on efficient use of nitrogen, or future educational opportunities, contact David Dunn, University of Missouri Delta Center, at 573-379-5431 or dunnd@missouri.edu.
Profitability Through Nitrogen Efficiency was provided through efforts of the Bootheel Nutrient Management Committee funded in part by Ass ... more. |
