IL Corn supports the efforts of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and those who seek to strengthen best management practices through research.

George Hoselton, who is a graduate student in the Department of Agriculture at Illinois State University is conducting a research study for his master’s thesis related to issues of nutrient loss and the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.  IL Corn is assisting him with this research, and invite ICGA member participation in his study. ICGA members may have received previous emails regarding the survey. If you have participated in the survey, we thank you for your help and you can disregard this request. If you have not yet participated, you still have the opportunity.

You can access this survey through this link.

To find out more about his research, you can read his full letter to our members below:

My name is George Hoselton, and I am a graduate student in the Department of Agriculture at Illinois State University.  I am conducting a research study for my master’s thesis, in cooperation with the Illinois Corn Growers Association.  This study is intended to measure the farming community’s perspective on the issue of nutrient loss and the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, and I am inviting your participation in this study.

If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete the brief survey that can be found by clicking the link at the bottom of this message. The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Your participation in this study is absolutely voluntary, and all information you provide will remain anonymous.  Your name does not appear anywhere on the survey, and the information you provide cannot be associated in any way with your name.  The Illinois Corn Growers Association recognizes the importance of this study, which is why they are assisting me in this effort.  However, the Illinois Corn Growers Association will not be made aware of your decision to participate, nor will the information you share individually on your survey be shared with that office.

As a member of the population most directly affected by nutrient loss and efforts to reduce it, this study provides you an opportunity to share your first-hand perspective on this timely issue and gives the farming community an important voice in the process of meeting the goals of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.  Participation in this study involves no risks greater than those encountered in everyday life.  Refusal to participate in this research study involves no penalty or loss of benefits, and you may withdraw from the study at any time without penalty or loss of benefits. You may also choose to skip questions that you prefer not to answer.

By completing this survey, you are indicating that you are at least 18 years of age and are consenting to participate in the study. If you choose to participate, please click on the link below to be taken to the survey.

If you have any questions concerning this research study, please call me at 309-830-9391, or email me at gshosel@ilstu.edu. You may also contact my faculty supervisor, Dr. Maria Boerngen, at 309-438-8097 or by email at maboern@ilstu.edu.  If you have any questions about your rights as a subject/participant in this research, or if you feel you have been placed at risk, you may contact the Illinois State University Research Ethics and Compliance Office at 309-438-5527 or by email at rec@ilstu.edu.