IL Corn Donates over $600 to FFA Thanks to Farmer Water Testing Engagement

IL Corn donated $635 to Illinois FFA chapters, a result of Illinois farmers testing water supplies on their farms for nitrates.

The program focused on raising awareness on Illinois farms of potential for nutrient loss through water supplies. IL Corn Grower Association members received testing strips and submitted their results anonymously. Each submittal generated a $5 donation to an FFA chapter in Illinois of the farmer’s choice.

According to the most recent Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Biennial report, Illinois lost 425 million pounds of nitrate-N/yr between 2013-2015. Survey work tells us that many farmers in Illinois do not believe they are losing valuable nutrients from their farm. Water quality research tells us that nutrient runoff is a problem, costing farmers money and contributing to the loads entering our waterways.

The data submitted will be used to summarize nitrate loads per region in Illinois. Check back at www.ilcorn.org to review how your results might compare with the average of all submittals in your region.