The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast
Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry, and Nicole Haverback. Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog

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Despite being the only in-field practice that efficiently reduces both nitrogen and phosphorus, cover crops are currently used on just 6% of Illinois cropland.
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Episode 82 | Cover Crop Conversations: cultural and mindset shifts

Despite being the only in-field practice that efficiently reduces both nitrogen and phosphorus, cover crops are currently used on just 6% of Illinois cropland. To encourage wider adoption, the University of Illinois Extension launched the FLASH (Farmer-Led Advances for Soil Health) program,...
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Episode 81 | The Role of the Soil Microbiome in Reducing Nutrient Loss

In episode 81 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Dr. Lizzie French and Mick Goedeken from Waypoint Analytical discuss how soil microbes influence nutrient cycling, soil structure, and nutrient retention within agricultural systems.

The conversation explores how soil...
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Episode 80 | Dust Storms, Starter Fertilizer, and Conservation Tillage

In episode 80 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, University of Illinois Assistant Professor and Extension agronomist Giovani Preza Fontes shares results from a research project evaluating soybean performance across different tillage systems and fertilizer strategies. 
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Episode 79 | Why You Should Use the N-Rate Calculator

In Episode 79 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, University of Illinois soil fertility specialist John Jones, agricultural economist Gary Schnitkey, and Illinois Corn Growers Association water quality specialist Laura Gentry share highlights from a live panel discussion recorded...
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Episode 78 | 35 Years of USDA Wetland Restoration

In Episode 78 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, University of Illinois agricultural economist Marin Skidmore discusses her study reviewing 35 years of USDA wetland restoration. She explains how these restorations reduce nitrogen concentrations in surface water, the data used to...
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Episode 77 | Batch and Grow with Farmer-Led Advances in Soil Health (FLASH)

Farmers often learn best from one another, and the Farmer-Led Advances in Soil Health (FLASH) program helps make those connections possible. In Episode 77, Morgan Cauble from AFT, Malina Przygoda from the Coles County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Bobby Orman, a Coles County farmer...
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Episode 76 | Addressing Nutrient Loss Through Conservation: Precision Conservation Management (PCM)

In episode 76, Precision Conservation Management (PCM) director Greg Goodwin, conservation specialist Lou Liva, and Stark County farmer Noah Forlines discuss how the PCM program works with farmers to collect field-level data and return it to them in a usable format. The conversation focused on...
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Episode 75 | Cover Crop Conversations: Management Advice

In the second of a two-part series, Illinois farmers Norm Deets of Ogle County, Brian Corkill of Henry County, and John Pike of Williamson County share management advice from years of working with cover crops. They discuss seeding rates, species selection, erosion control, and how to balance...
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Episode 74 | Cover Crop Conversations: Barriers to Entry

In the first of a two-part series, three Illinois farmers- Norm Deets of Ogle County, Brian Corkill of Henry County, and John Pike of Williamson County discuss their experiences with cover crops, focusing on the challenges they faced when getting started and lessons they learned along the way...
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Episode 73 | Branching Out: Agroforestry's Role in Reducing Nutrient Loss

Nate Lawrence and MJ Oviatt from the Savanna Institute discuss how agroforestry practices like windbreaks, alley cropping, and silvopasture can reduce nutrient loss and support farm resilience. They highlight research showing these practices improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, and...
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Podcast Hosts
Todd Gleason

Todd Gleason

Media Communications Specialist, News & Public Affairs (Radio)