Precision Conservation Management (PCM), in collaboration with the IL Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, has received new grant funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to bolster regenerative agriculture practices. This grant is part of the $14.7 million NFWF awarded nationwide to advance soil health and improve water quality on working lands.
The awarded funds will expand PCM program availability to corn, soybean, and wheat farmers in north-central Missouri and Kentucky with a focus on adopting cover crops, no-till, strip-till, and nitrogen fertilizer recommendations. Through this expansion, enrolled farmers will receive technical assistance, data analysis, and access to incentive programs that support their operations as they improve water quality and soil health on an estimated 60,000 acres across the new regions.
“We are thrilled to receive this support from NFWF,” said Greg Goodwin, Director of PCM. “By expanding our reach in Missouri and Kentucky, we can help more farmers adopt profitable conservation practices that benefit both their bottom lines and the environment.”
PCM was originally launched by IL Corn in 2015 as a farmer-focused program that provides customized, data-driven guidance on conservation practices to improve profitability and environmental outcomes. Through a unique collaboration with commodity groups and industry partners, PCM has already helped hundreds of farmers in Illinois, Nebraska and Kentucky implement climate-smart farming strategies. With this new funding, farmers in additional regions can benefit from PCM’s proven approach.
“We are just thrilled PCM received this grant award! Kentucky Corn has been involved with PCM since its inception, nearly a decade ago, because we know the importance of the information it provides farmers and the industry,” said Laura Knoth Executive Director of Kentucky Corn. "We are proud to have played a role in connecting the dots to bring our distilling partners into this effort. It will be exciting to see farmers and end-users realize benefits from the grant as we demonstrate to the world how amazing our farmers are when presented with a challenge."
This will be the first opportunity for Missouri farmers to participate in PCM. “We are excited to bring the farmer-led Precision Conservation Management program to the Lower Grand and Salt watersheds in northern Missouri,” said Missouri Corn Merchandising Council Chairman Brian Lehman. “This marks the first PCM region in our state, offering corn growers one-on-one assistance to identify conservation practices that fit their needs for positive environmental outcomes and long-term profitability. By providing access to technical resources for practices like cover crops, nutrient use efficiency, and tillage management, we are investing in healthier soils for future generations.”
In partnership with the state corn grower associations as well as the Kentucky Distillers Association, PCM will use this grant to provide more farmers with personalized support, field-level data insights, and cost-share opportunities that enable them to make decisions that improve farm resiliency and long-term profitability.
For more information on Precision Conservation Management, please visit precisionconservation.org
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For media inquiries, please contact: Rosalie Trump – rtrump@precisionconservation.org – 815-751-6145
About Precision Conservation Management (PCM)
Precision Conservation Management (PCM) is the premier conservation program of the IL Corn Growers Association. PCM provides data-driven conservation recommendations and on-the-ground support for farmers in Illinois, Nebraska, Kentucky and soon in Missouri. Visit http://www.precisionconservation.org to learn more.
