Indian Creek ProjectLIVINGSTON COUNTY ILLINOIS
CHAD WATTS – CTIC PROJECT DIRECTOR
CTIC Mission
CTIC champions, promotes and provides information on technologies and sustainable agricultural systems that conserve and enhance soil, water, air and wildlife resources and are productive and profitable.
A Public/Private PartnershipMembers• Corporations, Institutions (media, commodity groups, conservation organizations, associations), Individuals
Advisors & Partners• Federal agencies, universities, extension, research institutions
Indian Creek ProjectIndian Creek PartnershipsAbout the Indian Creek ProjectEngaging Farmers in the protection of Indian CreekHow the Indian Creek Project and MRBI work together
Indian Creek Partners
Livingston CountySoil & Water Conservation District
Indian Creek Steering Committee
Industry Partners and Sponsors
Corporate Sponsors
Indian Creek – How it StartedNon‐point source pollution abatement grant from IL – EPA (Section 319 grant)
Met with partners in IL to choose a watershed using the following criteria:◦ Smaller watershed with documented impairments◦Within the MRBI target area◦ Strong local partner◦ Rallying point – something to fix
Indian Creek Watershed
Indian Creek Project ‐ GoalsProject Goals:◦ Engage 50% of the landowners in the watershed to employ conservation systems that improve nutrient use efficiency on at least 50% of the land in the watershed
◦ Measure the resulting water quality changes to tie the application of conservation systems in the watershed to any improvements in water quality
Helping farmers become partners in water quality protection and engaging them in protecting water quality by providing opportunities◦ Conservation systems being promoted must improve water quality◦ Conservation systems being promoted must also be productive and profitable for the farmers
Indian Creek Project
CTIC 319 Efforts
Social
SupportEducational Support
SWCD MRBI Efforts
FinancialAssistance
TechnicalAssistance
Citizen Steering CommitteeParticipants identified◦ Past cooperators◦ Interest in conservation◦ Various walks of life
Participants◦Watershed producers◦ Interested citizens◦ SWCD◦ Ag retailers◦ Government partners
On‐Farm DemonstrationsDemonstrating conservation systems and technologies that can be used on the farm to improve water quality and increase nutrient use efficiency by the crop
4‐Rs of Nutrient Stewardship is the basis for demonstrations◦ Right nutrient source at the ◦ Right rate at the◦ Right time and in the◦ Right place
Promoting practices that can also be applied for through MRBI
Nutrient Use Efficiency information calculated for each demo◦ Gives farmers nutrient use efficiency of various practices and systems◦ Helps farmers make decisions about nutrient applications to increase efficiency
Outreach and EducationLocal partners provide outreach to watershed producers to encourage sign‐ups for conservation programs (MRBI)
Summer Field tours◦ Highlight new technologies and on‐farm demonstration opportunities◦ Highlighting program opportunities
Winter meetings◦ Highlight topics of interest and educational opportunities◦ Focus on reporting results of on‐farm demonstrations from the previous cropping season◦ Highlighting conservation program opportunities
What We Have LearnedLocal participation by producers and interested citizens is a critical part of creating a successful watershed project and critical to helping engage farmers in conservation programs
A trusted local resource is a critical component of a successful watershed project◦ Can be a key component of engaging the community in the watershed protection effort
Outreach is a key component of encouraging landowners to employ best practices on their farms◦ On‐farm demonstrations are great learning opportunities for the participating farmer and also the community
◦ Making people aware of the opportunities to use best practices and the on‐farm and off‐farm benefits of those best practices can significantly encourage adoption
Participation by a wide and diverse set of partners is also critical to a successful project◦ Not any one group or entity must supply all of the parts of the project◦ Provides opportunities for different groups to highlight their strengths