Edge-of-field practices help reduce nutrient loss, improve wildlife habitats, and support long-term farm sustainability. A farmer panel hosted in Knox County with farmers utilizing these practices revealed their experiences. Episode 66 explores several edge-of-field conservation practices from three Illinois farmers- Brian Corkill, Brent Fowler, and Jim Fulton. These farmers, from Henry, McDonough, and Livingston counties, share their experiences and perspectives on edge-of-field practices, providing valuable information for landowners and farmers interested in implementing edge-of-field conservation practices.
Meet the farmers
Brian Corkill farms 900 acres of corn and soybeans in Henry County. Some of his conservation practices include various edge-of-field practices like filter strips, grass waterways, and a bioreactor along with infield practices like cover crops.
Brent Fowler farms 3,500 acres of corn and soybeans in McDonough County, and has focused on buffer strips and wildlife habitat. He shares how transitioning unprofitable land into conservation areas has brought both environmental and economic benefits.
Jim Fulton, with 690 acres of corn and soybeans in Livingston County, has invested in a large-scale constructed wetland to mitigate nutrient loss from his fields.
Waterways
Waterways, or grassed waterways, are a common conservation practice on Illinois farms. As Corkill explains, waterways help reduce soil erosion and filter nutrients from surface water runoff. Over time, he has incorporated waterways through both personal efforts and government programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Fowler adds that while terraces once dominated his farm's landscape, they’ve now shifted towards waterways because of their cost-effectiveness and ease of management. He adds that they also implement what they call “temporary waterways” rather than dry dams or water and sediment control basins (WASCOBS). These “temporary waterways” of triticale are placed in fields following soybeans to help control erosion. The triticale will be burned down with the rest of the field in the spring.
Bioreactors
Corkill also shares his experience with a bioreactor on his farm. A bioreactor is a pit filled with wood chips that filter water coming from field tiles, removing nitrates through a biological process before the water enters nearby waterways. The bioreactor includes control structures that allow farmers to manage water levels within their fields throughout the year and the water level within the bioreactor. It’s also important to mention that bioreactors are equipped with a bypass system to prevent water from backing up in the field during heavy rainfall. Corkill has been pleased enough with the results that he’s planning a second bioreactor installation in the fall of 2024 with grant support from One Good Idea and Fishers and Farmers. The initial bioreactor has been monitored for its effectiveness since it was installed about four years ago.
Buffer strips
Fowler has taken an innovative approach to edge-of-field practices by converting less productive land into wildlife habitats. He has incorporated over 125 acres of prairie buffer strips, which serve the dual purpose of enhancing wildlife habitat while also improving their farm profitability by removing unproductive areas from production. Fowler reveals that he sees buffer strips as a win-win, helping to restore Bobwhite quail populations while optimizing land use.
Constructed wetlands
Fulton’s constructed wetland spans over 4.5 acres, treating water runoff from 78 acres of farmland. The wetland filters out nutrients before water enters local waterways. Fulton’s wetland also has a pollinator habitat, showing how conservation efforts can serve multiple purposes. The wetland's water levels stay stable year-round, but the surrounding plants are still being established. Fulton explains that planned burns and reseeding should help solve the remaining issues. Corkill and Fowler said they are interested in adding a wetland to their operations. When asked why they would consider such a costly practice, all three underscored that they are stewards of the land and feel a responsibility to leave the land better than when they received it.
Saturated buffer
Though none of the farmers have adopted saturated buffers, they are another edge-of-field practice they are considering. A saturated buffer is a vegetated strip of land between a field and a waterway, where tile drain water is diverted. The water is spread laterally through the buffer and nitrates are removed through denitrification. The roots of the vegetation absorb the water and nutrients as a secondary way to help reduce runoff and nutrient loss. When asked what practice would be on their “wish list” both Fulton and Fowler expressed interest in saturated buffers. Both think they have a good location for saturated buffers and were excited about another practice to utilize to reduce nitrates entering their local streams.
To learn more about the impact of agricultural conservation practices, check out the Illinois Extension’s Nutrient Loss Reduction website. You can listen to the full interview with all three farmers in Episode 66 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast.
About the authors:
Rachel Curry is an Agriculture and Agribusiness Educator specializing in agriculture and watershed education, and she is part of the Illinois Extension's Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy implementation team. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Knox College and an M.S. in Environmental Science and Soil Science from Iowa State University, with a focus on soil fertility. Her work centers on education and outreach related to the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, promoting agricultural conservation practices that reduce nutrient loss while enhancing water quality and soil health across Illinois.
Nicole Haverback serves as a Watershed Outreach Associate and is a member of the Illinois Extension's team implementing the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. She holds a B.S. in Agriculture and Rural Policy Studies from Iowa State University. In her role, Nicole coordinates watershed management and planning efforts aimed at reducing nutrient losses in priority areas, offers expertise on best management practices to minimize nutrient loss, and leads outreach initiatives promoting agricultural conservation practices outlined in the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.
Emma Eldridge serves as a Watershed Outreach Associate on the Illinois Extension Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy implementation team, working within the Little Wabash and Embarras watersheds, which are designated as phosphorus-priority areas under the NLRS. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from McKendree University and an M.S. in Forestry from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. In her role, Emma coordinates watershed management and planning activities to reduce phosphorus losses, providesexpertise on best management practices, and leads outreach efforts focused on agricultural conservation practices outlined in the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.
About the blog:
At Illinois Extension, we’re working to improve water quality at home and downstream. Every month, our Watershed Outreach Associates will bring you stories highlighting agricultural conservation practices, current research projects and results, and from the field farmer interviews. The Nutrient Loss Reduction blog covers conservation practices recommended by the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, timely updates, farm safety, and new decision tools to help farmers and producers reduce the nutrients leaving their field. Want to get notified when new blog posts are available? Subscribe at go.illinois.edu/SubscribeINLRS.