... Watershed Project
The Indian Creek Watershed Project brought together farmers and other stakeholders in a central Illinois watershed in a remarkable collaboration that resulted in conservation practices being adopted on at least 57% of the agricultural acreage in the watershed and measurable reductions in nutrients in the creek. The project yielded perspective on conservation practices from demonstration projects, success stories from local farmers, and insight into successful leadership of watershed groups.
Professional Development Events for Indiana SWCS
CTIC is collaborating with the Hoosier Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society to host a series of workshops and professional networking events for Indiana's conservation stakeholders, and to connect those stakeholders with extensio ... more. |
... Formed in 1982, CTIC brings together farmers, crop advisors, researchers, policy makers, regulators, agribusiness leaders, conservation group staffers and other stakeholders to share information on farming practices that can help farmers become more economically and environmentally sustainable. The Center's staff develops demonstration projects, convenes and facilitates meetings, disseminates research findings, runs market-based nutrient credit programs, and serves as a hub for information on a wide range of conservation farming topics. CTIC staff members sum up their mission as "champion, promote and provide information on climate smart, sustainable agricultural systems."& ... more. |
... the table to advance conservation agriculture...from our early projects promoting no-till to our current programs that help farmers, conservationists, agribusiness professionals, academics and policymakers protect soil health, water quality and the atmosphere.
In 2023, CTIC will continue that legacy as the trusted source for data on conservation farming practices, the coordinator of demonstration projects, a builder of local capacity, and a partner in developing high-impact education on conservation systems.
We’re going to keep our boots on the ground and our hands in the soil as we continue to be at the forefront of conservation. And we're exploring new horizons through projects like OpTIS, which taps satellite data; CSA Connector, which will bring our mission to the app ag ... more. |
... of people to the table to advance conservation agriculture...from our early projects promoting no-till to our current programs that help farmers, conservationists, agribusiness professionals, academics and policymakers protect soil health, water quality and the atmosphere.In 2023, CTIC will continue that legacy as the trusted source for data on conservation farming practices, the coordinator of demonstration projects, a builder of local capacity, and a partner in developing high-impact education on conservation systems.We’re going to keep our boots on the ground and our hands in the soil as we continue to be at the forefront of conservation. And we're exploring new horizons through projects like OpTIS, which taps satellite data; CSA Connector, which will bring our mission to the app age; new partner ... more. |
"Conservation in Action" Tours
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Demonstration Projects
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Conservation Practices
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... themes below to browse our site, or look for a particular practice or place in the search bar.
Ag Consultant Resources
Bees and Pollinators
Buffer Strips
Community Organizing
Conservation Tillage
Conservation Practices—Adoption
Crop Residue Management (CRM) Survey
Drainage Water Management
Cover Crops
Cover Crop Survey
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
Demonstration Projects
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Grazing and Rangeland
Hypoxia
Know Your Watershed
Leadership
Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI)
No-Till
National Aquatic Resource Survey (NARS)
National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI)
Nutrient Management
Operational Tillage Assessment System (OpTIS)
Pasture
Ridge Till
Soil Health
Strip Till
Tours
Training
Water Quality
... more. |
... can help control wind erosion.
And, less nitrate loss is good for the soil and results in less pollution downstream. According to Purdue University Cooperative Extension, as much as 15-75 percent fewer nitrates are released into streams and rivers with a water management system.
Greater yields are just icing on the cake.
Grant dollars and demonstration projects are boosting the widespread adoption of the practice. "However," Schafer says,"awareness and education are critical in giving drainage water management an edge in the conservation game."
Installation costs of drainage management systems range from $20 to $200 per acre more than conventional drainage systems. To offset these costs, government cost-share programs ... more. |
... the benefits of drainage water management through a variety of mechanisms so that agencies and producers are both more aware of and can make informed decisions about drainage water management. CTIC will be developing, maintaining and capitalizing on relationships with ag media to raise awareness, inform and educate about drainage water management and to highlight progress and successes in the demonstration projects.
Funded By
Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition
Project Period
December 2007 - May 2010
Project Partner
Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition
Project Participants
ADMC received a Conservation Innovation Grant in 2006 to promote and characterize the unique technology of drainage water management (DWM)- the practice of managing wat ... more. |
The Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition conducted demonstration field days in five states last year to give farmers, advisors and regulators an up-close look at field-scale drainage management plots side-by-side with free-flowing tile drainage.
Agricultural Drainage Management:
Benefits Could Range from the Bin to the Gulf
By Steve Werblow
Managing agricultural drainage water in the Midwest could represent the next great step forw ... more. |
Herb and Aaron Steffen manage a 900-acre grain farm in southern Livingston and northern McLean counties. They hosted a demonstration and two nutrient use efficiency (NUE) trials.
The Steffens plant corn continuously on two-thirds of the acres and rotate planting of corn and soybeans on the rest of the land. Their minimum tillage practices leave at least 30% of the previous crops’ residue on the soil surface. This residue decreases soil erosion and feeds nutrients back to the soil.
They apply nitrogen after the corn ... more. |
Select the Right Time for nitrogen application.
Apply the Right Rate of fertilizer to meet crop needs.
Costs of inputs make it important to provide enough N so the crop is never deficient. For greatest efficiency, N should be applied close to the time it will be used by the crop.
This demonstration compares 3 different application times:
Fall Application
Spring Application
Split Application---½ applied in Fall and ½ applied in Spring
A second demonstration compares the full recommended N rate with a reduced rate (85% of recommended rate) using a controlled-release source, ESN®.
ESN® controlled-release technology delivers N to the crop all season long, ... more. |
A free, one-hour webinar on Monday, Dec. 3 will offer tips on increasing farmer involvement in watershed projects. CTIC’s Indian Creek Watershed Project partners will host to share their insight. “Increasing Producer Involvement in Watershed Projects: Lessons from Indian Creek,” will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 pm Central Standard Time.
The webinar is the first in a series by the Great Rivers & Upstream Heroes Watershed Implementation & Innovation Network (WIIN), a new ... more. |
... had record attendance! On July 10, more than 270 producers, agribusiness partners, government officials and media professionals from 20 states visited the Indian Creek Watershed in Livingston County, Ill.
CTIC partnered with the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District to showcase a "Community 4 Conservation." Highlights of the tour included:
An Aerial Seeding Demonstration
A Soil Pit Demonstration
Slake test
Equipment on display
The Tiling Demonstration
Click here to read more about CTIC's 2013 Tour.
Conservation In Action Tour 2012
On May 31, 2012, nearly 250 participants gathered in the Mississippi Delta region to meet and learn from farmers who face unique challenges in water quality, herbicide resistance and wildlife management.
The ... more. |
2020 Conservation In Action Tour- In Person EventPostponed
Join us virtually!
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, CTIC's 2020 Conservation in Action Tour has been postponed to 2021. We will instead host a virtual event in collaboration with the American Society of Agronomy's Sustainable Agronomy Conference on August 20, 2020.
Session #5: Environmental Benefits of Sustainab ... more. |
The "Conservation At The Leading Edge" tour will visit farms, New Century FS, and demonstration sites August 20-21
The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) launched online registrations today for its 12th annual Conservation in Action Tour, which will explore conservation systems in central Iowa.
The program will begin the afternoon of August 20, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa, with a keynote speaker and cocktail reception. August 21 will be spent in the fie ... more. |
... HAFA trains farmers on integrated pest management, cover crops, soil testing and more
Stop #2 - Far-Gaze Farms (Bruce and Brian Peterson), Northfield, Minn.
Building better soil health in a large corn/soybean operation
Farmer/retailer partnerships for improved nutrient management strategies
Cover crop benefits and challenges on a Minnesota farm; an interseeding demonstration in the field.
Download the handout "Cover Crop Interseeding in Rice County"
Stop #3 - Dave Legvold Farm, Northfield, Minn.
Drainage water management, including a saturated buffer demonstration, and SWCD's role in buffers, highlighting Dakota County's Farmland and Natural Areas Program (FNAP)
Download the handout Sa ... more. |
... (BMPs) were in place on at least 57% of the agricultural acreage in the Indian Creek drainage.
Goals and Recipes
Key concepts at the heart of the Indian Creek Watershed Project included:
The importance of locally led conservation efforts
The power of including stakeholders in the watershed from off and on the farm
Cooperation among conservation entities within the watershed
Demonstrations of key conservation practices under local conditions
The impact of applying priority conservation practices by at least 50% of the producers in a small watershed to improve water quality in the receiving surface waters
CTIC and the local organizers in the watershed also developed “recipes” that could be used by organizers in other watersheds around the nation. Tools including ... more. |
Select the Right Time for nitrogen application.
Apply the Right Rate of fertilizer to meet crop needs.
Costs of inputs make it important to provide enough N so the crop is never deficient. For greatest efficiency, N should be applied close to the time it will be used by the crop.
This demonstration compares 3 different application times:
Fall Application
Spring Application
Split Application---½ applied in Fall and ½ applied in Spring
A second demonstration compares the full recommended N rate with a reduced rate (85% of recommended rate) using a controlled-release source, ESN®.
ESN® controlle ... more. |
Herb and Aaron Steffen manage a 900-acre grain farm in southern Livingston and northern McLean counties. They hosted a demonstration and two nutrient use efficiency (NUE) trials.
The Steffens plant corn continuously on two-thirds of the acres and rotate planting of corn and soybeans on the rest of the land. Their minimum tillage practices leave at least 30% of the previous crops’ residue on the soil surface. This residue decreases soil erosion and feeds nutrients back to the soil.
They apply nitrogen after the co ... more. |
Southern Plains Agricultural Resources Coalition (SPARC)
Established 2006
The Southern Plains Agricultural Resources Coalition will spark rural sustainability and profitability through greater use of no-till practices and conservation systems for producers, consumers, and communities by promotion of market based incentives, education, demonstration, participation, and research.
Mission, Goals and Contact Information
Mission Statement
The Southern Plains Agricultural Resources Coalition will spark rural sustainability and profitability through greater use of no-till practices and conservation systems for producers, consumers, and communities by promotion of market based incentives, education, demonstration, participation, and ... more. |
... a Communications Director to help develop, deliver and monitor programs, messages and materials to promote conservation agriculture. The position involves regular communications with but not limited to federal, state and local government agencies; agriculture industry, media and associations; conservation groups and watershed partnerships. This position may also be responsible for grant-funded projects that involve technology transfer, publications, information dissemination, media relations or other communication-related outcomes.
Major Responsibilities
edit and write quarterly online magazine and e-newsletter
solicit advertisers for online magazine
write and distribute news releases
maintain media relations
develop and maintain social media ... more. |
CONSERVATION IN ACTION TOUR BACK ON THE BUS!
In 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed our plans back for an in-person Conservation in Action Tour. But we rallied with virtual tours that blended pre-recorded and live content in conjunction with the American Society of Agronomy's Sustainable Agriculture Conference.
Check out our digital library for interviews, panel discussions and videos that ... more. |
Cover crops are among the most exciting and most complex conservation systems on today's agricultural landscape. CTIC and its partners have been at the forefront of exploring, demonstrating, and promoting cover crops to help make them as effective as possible.
Bee Integrated Demonstration Project
CTIC is supporting this Honey Bee Health Coalition led effort to bring together beekeepers and farmers to demonstrate how a suite of best practices can be implemented on agricultural landscapes to support honey bee health. This innovative strategy provides a blueprint for supporting pollinator health across North America.
Let's Do the Math On Cover Crops
With a Conservation I ... more. |
... by State Conservationist Kurt Simon have generated a lot of excitement," Komp adds. "Those are big draws on top of the dozens of talks by people from across agriculture who put conservation to work every day to help Iowa meet its Nutrient Reduction Strategy while feeding and fueling the world."
Highlights of the tour include:
A visit to the LICA Farm, an 80-acre demonstration site featuring constructed conservation systems
Installation of a wood chip bioreactor
Iowa Learning Farms' Conservation Station on the Edge demonstration trailer
The chance to drive Growmark's sprayer training simulator
Dinner at the Jester Park Lodge
and more.
Online registration takes just moments at https://www.ctic.org/cia_tour/registration. The $175 registra ... more. |
... for the Conservation in Action Tour hosted by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), which will be held in central Iowa August 20 and 21. Registration for the event closes in just one week, at midnight on July 26.
The tour includes farm visits, a tour of a cutting-edge ag retail operation, a close-up look at the Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association (LICA) demonstration farm, and talks by leading policy makers, researchers, conservation agriculture specialists and ag retailers from the state and national levels.
Other highlights include:
An address by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig at the tour's opening social at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates;
Talks by Katie Flahive of US EPA and Kurt Simon, state conservationist for Io ... more. |
... as it impacts high-efficiency irrigation
Irrigation/water delivery system
Semi-permanent drip irrigation
Managing multi-year crops in highly variable soils
Stop #2 – M&M Feedlot, Parma, Idaho
Business and neighborly impacts of creating an attractive, low-odor environment
Air quality and ammonia permits
Nutrient and water management – composting demonstration, floodplain management considerations and constructed wetlands
Stop #3 – Arena Valley, Wilder, Idaho
Sustainability, nutrient management and conservation systems
Potato research trials – nitrogen efficiency, new varieties and bio-pesticides
Cropping systems – rotations, equipment and cover crops
Sustainability audits
Potato harvest demonstration
... more. |
... conservation systems use minimal tillage. They combine soil drying and warming benefits of conventional tillage and soil-protecting advantages of no-till by disturbing only the portion of soil that will contain the seed row.
Here we are using fall applied N with an RTK strip-till system and comparing it to a conventional chisel plow system.
A special feature at this site is the demonstration of N use efficiency (NUE) rate comparison, done with field-scale equipment, so that the farmer can apply the rate treatments and harvest the plots with conventional equipment without interrupting his normal production routine. This demonstrates a simple approach to on-farm research that every farmer can adopt.
Operation
The Traub farm is a multi-generational farm based in southern Livingsto ... more. |
CTIC has partnered with the Honey Bee Health Coalition on its Bee Integrated Demonstration Project. This project brings together beekeepers and producers to show how a suite of best practices can be implemented together in agricultural landscapes to support honey bee health. This innovative strategy provides a blueprint for supporting pollinator health across North America.
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... minimal tillage. They combine soil drying and warming benefits of conventional tillage and soil-protecting advantages of no-till by disturbing only the portion of soil that will contain the seed row.
Here we are using fall applied N with an RTK strip-till system and comparing it to a conventional chisel plow system.
A special feature at this site is the demonstration of N use efficiency (NUE) rate comparison, done with field-scale equipment, so that the farmer can apply the rate treatments and harvest the plots with conventional equipment without interrupting his normal production routine. This demonstrates a simple approach to on-farm research that every farmer can adopt.
Operation
The Traub farm is a multi-generational farm based in south ... more. |
CTIC Member since 2001
Initially, the Delta Conservation Demonstration Center joined CTIC for the exchange of information from different organizations and groups. We are seeing that benefit today.
CTIC keeps us informed of opportunities to participate in grants and meetings. This organization is a conduit to share information, and through CTIC, we have the opportunity to share what we are doing with other producers and organizations.
The greatest benefits ... more. |
... to encompass the latest science around carbon capture, soil health, remote sensing,andmore."
The Conservation Technology Information Center brings together farmers, crop advisers, policymakers, agribusiness leaders, conservation personnel, researchers and othersinterested in systems that help make farmers more economically and environmentally sustainable. Current projectsinclude:
•The Operational Tillage Information System (OpTIS), which uses satellite imagery and a specialalgorithmto documentthe adoption of soil-building farming practices;
•Spearheading stimulus projects that encourage phosphorus managementto protect surface waters in the Western Lake Erie Basin;
•Conducting educational progr ... more. |
... to encompass the latest science around carbon capture, soil health, remote sensing,andmore."
The Conservation Technology Information Center brings together farmers, crop advisers, policymakers, agribusiness leaders, conservation personnel, researchers and othersinterested in systems that help make farmers more economically and environmentally sustainable. Current projectsinclude:
•The Operational Tillage Information System (OpTIS), which uses satellite imagery and a specialalgorithmto documentthe adoption of soil-building farming practices;
•Spearheading stimulus projects that encourage phosphorus managementto protect surface waters in the Western Lake Erie Basin;
•Conducting educational progr ... more. |
... to build support for an understanding of ag conservation efforts aimed at water quality and quantity; reports for each forum and a summary report providing actionable recommendations to NRCS and partners on watershed project design, delivery and promotion from a landowner and stakeholder perspective; and practioners guide to assist stakeholders in working with NRCS in support of watershed projects.
Final Outcome Reports:
Illinois State Report
North Carolina State Report
Oklahoma State Report
Vermont State Report
Washington State Report
NWQI Final Report and Practitioner's Guide
Project Objective
Utilize CTIC's expertise and networking success to improve the effec ... more. |
CTIC Projects
CTIC and its partners lead projects at the local, regional and national level to address agriculture's pressing conservation needs. Each projectincludes public and private sector partners, shares information about new technology and tools, and promotes agricultural systems that are both economically viable and environmentally beneficial.
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CTIC invites qualified professionals to apply for three open positions. We seek a skilled communications director, an experienced project manager and a communications intern. Apply today to join a great team dedicated to agricultural conservation.
PROJECT DIRECTOR
CTIC project directors lead grant-funded projects, manage budgets and assume responsibility for all project-related paperwork. He/she will follow an existing work plan and strive to achieve project goals within the defined timeframe. In addition, the project director provides important in-house technical expertise and helps to answer questions from members and partners. For more information about the position of Project Director please click her ... more. |
... natural gas, and then into profit—or at least energy.
On the plus side, building a few relatively large facilities to digest manure into methane gas can be more efficient than building a lot of farm-scale ones. But not surprisingly, there are many challenges along the way, from the logistics of hauling manure to central sites to the hurdles of securing funding for community-scale projects.
Up and running
California’s Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) built the nation’s flagship community digester in 2001, spurred by the California energy crisis that left millions of people in the dark as the grid collapsed under the weight of high demand (and supplies manipulated by Enron, as it turned out). As power producers scrambled to find renewable sources of energy, ... more. |
Mark your calendar for the 2013 Conservation In Action Tour, July 9 and 10 in Livingston County, Ill. We’ll be visiting the hub of several outstanding watershed conservation projects, with stops at demonstration plots, on-farm trials and in-stream water quality testing stations.
More than 40 percent of the farm acreage in the 80-square-mile watershed is enrolled in conservation programs, and many of the watershed’s 160 farmers are on the CTIC-facilitated Indian Creek Watershed Project advisory board.
That dramatic level of involvement was the subject of the webinar tha ... more. |
... again in 2009. Mark your calendars for July 29, where the tour will feature stops in western Illinois!
An engrossed group of Conservation In Action Tour participants listens to a discussion at one of the Beck's Hybrids seed company's greenhouses.
Photo Courtesy of Purity Mason
Side-by-side demonstration models at Rulon Enterprises show how ground water appears in a conventional tilled field (left) versus a no-till field (right) with residue on the soil surface.
Photo Courtesy of Purity Mason
At Lamb Farms, drywall scrap from construction projects is ground into gypsum and spread on fields as a soil amendment.
Photo courtesy of Randal ... more. |
... Agriculture and the Environment, which was awarded up to $35 million by USDA to conduct this new partnership pilot.Through their global collaborative, Open Technology Ecosystem for Agricultural Management (OpenTEAM),Wolfe’s Neck Center will lead an alliance of over 60 national and regional buyers, funders, and organizations to launch and support climate-smart agricultural pilot projects on farms and ranches in the Northeast, Mountain West, and California.
The Connectorwill allow producers and landowners to find programs and service providers who can help plan, implement, and verify voluntary conservation and climate-smart ag practices. CTIC is partnering with Houston Engineering and The Nature Conservancy on the development effort. The Connector will bring m ... more. |
... for Agriculture and the Environment, which was awarded up to $35 million by USDA to conduct this new partnership pilot. Through their global collaborative, Open Technology Ecosystem for Agricultural Management (OpenTEAM), Wolfe’s Neck Center will lead an alliance of over 60 national and regional buyers, funders, and organizations to launch and support climate-smart agricultural pilot projects on farms and ranches in the Northeast, Mountain West, and California.
The CSA Connector is an app being developed by CTIC and its partners to play a key role in the program by connecting all of the relevant participants in the emerging climate smart commodity marketplace—buyers, producers, technical service providers, and certifiers–with each other and with the informatio ... more. |
... for Agriculture and the Environment, which was awarded up to $35 million by USDA to conduct this new partnership pilot. Through their global collaborative, Open Technology Ecosystem for Agricultural Management (OpenTEAM), Wolfe’s Neck Center will lead an alliance of over 60 national and regional buyers, funders, and organizations to launch and support climate-smart agricultural pilot projects on farms and ranches in the Northeast, Mountain West, and California.
The CSA Connector is an app being developed by CTIC and its partners to play a key role in the program by connecting all of the relevant participants in the emerging climate smart commodity marketplace—buyers, producers, technical service providers, and certifiers–with each other and with the informatio ... more. |
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.
Lead Projects
CTIC is a leader and collaborator in projects that address conservation agriculture's most important topics. Funded by public investments, foundation grants, agribusiness and private donations, our projects provide insight into agricultural systems that are both economically and environmentally beneficial.
Provide Information
CTIC is a clearinghouse of information on conservati ... more. |
... South Florida. She has over 25 years of research experience that focuses on microbial ecology and water quality. Her interests include development and application of microbial source tracking methods, persistence and ecology of fecal bacteria and viruses in extra-intestinal, and antibiotic resistant bacteria in aquatic environments. She is an author of over 115 peer-reviewed papers Her current projects include a collaborative study on the effects of animal fecal contamination on human health and microbiome status in Ecuador.
Video Length - 9:52
EPA’s New Sanitary Survey App for Marine and Freshwaters
Samantha Fontenelle
Speaker Bio
Commander Samantha Fontenelle is a Commissioned Officer with the U.S. Public Health Service stationed with the U.S. Environm ... more. |
CTIC is working with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to improve the effective engagement by NRCS in delivering watershed projects and to enhance the agency's ability to communicate the issues and success of watershed projects. This project is identifying successful watershed management activities that engage landowners, farmers, and the broader public to protect water quality. Insights developed through this project will inform future NRCS efforts to support local watershed initiatives with technical and financial resou ... more. |
CTIClinks private businesses, non-profit organizations, associations, and local, state, regional, and federal government agencies to address their common conservation agriculture issues. Our coalition-led initiatives range from small watershed projects to national events and conferences. With strength, wisdom, and knowledge in numbers, CTIC’s coalitions work to disseminate information on new technologies and tools, to ensure conservation agriculture works on the ground.
The Conservation Agriculture Systems Alliance (CASA)unites voluntary producer organizations across North America that share similar missions and goals, encounter ... more. |
In 2006, CTIC received a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency Gulf of Mexico Program to fund"Building Innovative Industry-Producer Partnerships to Reduce Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico." CTIC led the organization of three collaborative groups, all including public and private members, to develop and oversee projects and programs in their geographic areas.
CTIC and partners strive to develop innovative, transferable approaches for addressingnutrient use efficiencylocally and regionally. As a result,farmers will have greater access to nutrient use efficiency products, tools, and techniques.
Funded By
US Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf of Mexico Program
Project ... more. |
... districts have been involved in delivering locally-driven conservation across America for more than 70 years. No other conservation or environmental group in the country implements more conservation practices on the ground. The beauty of conservation districts is that they exist in virtually every county and community in the nation, where they work on meaningful, landscape-scale projects that produce verifiable improvements in environmental quality. Conservation districts’ work results in clean air, clean water, healthy habitat and productive soil.
As you well know, it’s an exciting time for conservation in this country. Projects abound, and there is significant commitment from individual landowners, communities, lawmakers and funders to make improvements to our ... more. |
... specialists Catie Geib and Julia Gerlach introduce the Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) program and discuss on-farm cover crop strategies with South Dakota farmer Jamie Johnson. In this first-in-a-series webinar, you’ll learn about FSH cover crop incentives, discover resources for learning about cover benefits, hear a farmer’s perspective on successfully adopting cover crops, see a demonstration of how to sign up for the program, and more.
Fact sheets from SARE, Extension Etc.
The following downloadable fact sheets from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program explain the impact cover crops have on soil erosion, water use, nutrient cycling and much more.
10 Ways Cover Crops Enhance Soil Health
Farmers can improve soil health by planting cove ... more. |
Drawing on talent from across the U.S. and around the world, St. Louis is a vibrant hub for agriculture and technology- the perfect place to celebrate 40 years of conservation in action. Download the agenda HERE.
Monday, September 12th:
6:30-9:30pm CTIC 40th Anniversary Celebration
Trolley Room, St. Louis, Forest Park
Speakers include:
-Rod Snyder, Agriculture Advisor, EPA
- Scott Herndo ... more. |
Join us for a special opportunity!
CTIC and the Henry White Demonstration Farm are happy to announce that they are opening the morning tour stop of the 2022 Conservation in Action Tour to farmers across the area.
Henry White Demonstration Farm:
4769-4807 Centreville Ave
Millstadt, IL 62260
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... be celebrating CTIC's 40th Anniversary. We will be celebrating in the heart of St. Louis—Forest Parkin theelegantTrolley Room. At the celebration, we’ll enjoy drinks, food andthe chance to reminisce about the past 40 years and look forward to the next 40.
We’ll start the day Tuesday the 13th with a tour of theHenry White Farm, a demonstration farm owned by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. In addition to research plots, the farm's 94 acres contain wetlands, evergreen and deciduous groves, restored prairie and wildlife habitat. At the Henry White Farm, we’ll also hear an array of speakers sharing their insights on conservation practices.
After lunch, we will head to theDonald Danforth Plant Science Ce ... more. |
... the past, present and future of the organization's work as a hub of information, connecting people who are passionate about conservation agriculture. We will recognize past champions of 40 years of conservation technology while also meeting visionaries who are seeking to advance conservation into the next 40 years.
Tuesday, September 13th, will be spent in the field visiting a demonstration farm dedicated to conservation systems and at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center to learn about advances in agricultural technology that will help farmers face future challenges, including climate change.
"Our Conservation in Action Tour series has become a highly anticipated opportunity for farmers, crop advisers, policy makers, conservation professionals, agribusiness pe ... more. |
... can help farmers meet nutrient loading goals in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and other environmental plans.
Conservation Practices for Sloping Landscapes
Farmer and land improvement contractor Tim Recker of Arlington, Iowa, shares his insight on constructed conservation systems that help protect water quality. Tim describes practices on his farm as well as on the demonstration farm owned by the Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association (LICA).
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... many of the species included in the Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund's seed mix show up in the list of preferred plants, since that program helped all of the Bee Integrated farmers in North Dakota establish their habitat," said Mike Smith, CTIC's Bee Integrated project manager.
Building on a successful 3-year pilot program in North Dakota, the Bee Integrated Demonstration Project stands as a model for beekeepers and farmers in other states to coordinate on best practices in pollinator habitat, varroa mite management, and crop pest management that can help improve colony health.
Data from six beekeeper/farmer-landowner pairs demonstrated that implementing the best management practices together resulted in:
Larger honey bee colonies
More polle ... more. |
... monitoring stations collect tile water at a Livingston County, IL farm field.
These objectives help reach the ultimate goal of improving yields and/or reducing N loading into the Vermilion River Watershed as a result of implementing a better N management system.
Project results will include water quality monitoring data associated with NUE in-field calculations as well as demonstrations of the usability of tile outlet monitoring by producers, the cost effectiveness of these monitoring solutions for measuring nutrient loss and the impact of associated outreach efforts to increase adoption of nutrient management practices.
The project will demonstrate conservation practices that show promise of leading to better nitrogen (N) management—spring applied N over f ... more. |
Register Online Today
"Now is the time to register—we've got only two more weeks until our cut-off date for seats on the bus and our special Conservation in Action Tour price for hotel rooms at the Embassy Suites Downtown in Des Moines," says Komp.
Online registration takes just moments at https://www.ctic.org/cia_tour/registration. The $175 registration fee inc ... more. |
... Management Coalition and Sean McMahon of the Iowa Agricultural Water Alliance, the stop is sure to uncover deep insight into these ingenious nitrogen-capturing systems.
Later in the day-long tour, the group will visit the Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association (LICA) Farm near Melbourne, Iowa. The 80-acre field is a demonstration site for every constructed conservation practice cited in Iowa's Nutrient Reduction Strategy, according to Tim Recker, past president of Iowa LICA. LICA members will be stationed around the farm to dig into the details of how each system is constructed and how it functions to protect water quality.
Register Online Today
... more. |
... AGvocacy Learning Farm project.
New Century FS Melbourne Service Center. Facility manager Dan Hart and his team will open their state-of-the-art plant for a look at commercial-scale management of fertilizer, seed treatments and other inputs. The FS team will also provide an exploration of the role of Certified Crop Advisors in implementing conservation and production goals.
LICA Demonstration Farm, Melbourne. The tour will visit the 80-acre home of a wide range of constructed conservation systems for an up-close look at many in-field and edge-of-field practices that protect water quality and build healthy soils.
Tesdell Century Farm, Slater. This fifth-generation farm is home to an installation of prairie strips, which Lee Tesdell and Iowa State University researchers use to study a ... more. |
... U.S. agriculture. After all, it's part of our mission to Connect, Inform and Champion.
If you've got data or insight about conservation farming systems that should be shared through our clearinghouse of information, please let us know. We can include it in our new, easy-to-search website or weave it into our other communications programs.
Want to cooperate on demonstration plots or programs that put conservation practices to work in real-world situations? Let us know and we will find a way to team up with one of our many programs around the country.
Got a story to share that spotlights your work in conservation agriculture? Contact the CTIC office—(765) 494-9555 or ctic@ctic.org—and we'll spread the word. We're always looking for st ... more. |
Our demonstrations illustrate the 4 Rs of nutrient management:
Right Source
Right Rate
Right Place
Right Time
We demonstrate management systems---not individual practices.
We measure practice success through agronomic yield, economic sustainability, nutrient use efficiency and water quality impacts.
Agrium's ESN v. Urea
Agrium designed ESN®, a polymer coated ... more. |
... guidance and variable-rate application equipment can improve nitrogen application efficiency.
show how RTK yield monitoring equipment works at harvest time.
show how the farmer and his advisers can collect data and make management decisions during the winter months.
We set plot sizes to match the farmer’s equipment width, which allowed him to do all of the plot work needed for the demonstration.
John Traub prepares to apply anhydrous ammonia.
We created a fertilizer application map for the whole field (below). Marked areas indicate replicated plot locations and their assigned application rate.
The farmer applied anhydrous ammonia fertilizer in the fall, in a strip-tilled area. He harvested the plots with his yield-monitor-equipped combine.
We analyzed his yield ... more. |
Keep nutrients in the Right Place, where crops can use them.
A soil test showed a relatively low phosphorus level, so we selected a demonstration of Mosaic’s Micro-Essentials (MESZ) applied as a side-dress (plant nutrients placed on or in the soil near the roots of a growing crop) treatment to provide an additional boost in available phosphorus.
MESZ allows uniform nutrient distribution and provides essential nutrients crops need in one granule. It has two forms of sulfur for season-long nutrition ... more. |
... quality.
Goal
Determine what water quality improvements result when 50-75% of producers and acres in a small watershed adopt comprehensive agriculture conservation systems over a six-year period.
Activities
Outreach activities include field tours, public meetings, email and website updates, news releases and more.
On-farm demonstrations showcase the latest products, techniques, equipment and tools for resource conservation.With funding from USDA, CTIC will employ tile outlet monitoring to measure water quality.
CTIC and Livingston SWCD partner with Argonne National Laboratories to study the growth and water quality effects of bio-energy crops in the Indian Creek watershed.
Through a USDA Missis ... more. |
... practices and cover crops at the county or watershed (HUC-8) scale;
Cover crop insight, including details of the economic and environmental benefits of cover crops and the results of five annual farmer surveys on cover crop use;
Tips on organizing watershed groups and multi-stakeholder conservation efforts, including tips, analysis of knowledge transfer, and ideas for creating effective demonstration plots;
Real-world perspective on conservation farming practices and systems that help farmers build profitability and protect the quality of their soil, water and the air we breathe.
CTIC's interim executive director, Dave Gustafson, points out that creating a new www.ctic.org site is central to the Center's mission.
"For more than 30 years, CTIC has gat ... more. |
... we learned through this project has already been put to use," Smith says. "Purdue's Ag Economics Department developed an improved data collection framework intended to increase the accuracy of ongoing research into cover crop economics. The experience also enabled CTIC to serve as a consultant for the design and management of the Honey Bee Health Coalition's Bee Integrated Demonstration Project."
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Keep nutrients in the Right Place, where crops can use them.
A soil test showed a relatively low phosphorus level, so we selected a demonstration of Mosaic’s Micro-Essentials (MESZ) applied as a side-dress (plant nutrients placed on or in the soil near the roots of a growing crop) treatment to provide an additional boost in available phosphorus.
MESZ allows uniform nutrient distribution and provides essential nutrients crops need in one granule. It has two forms of sulfur for season-long nutrition.
MESZ allows uniform nutrient ... more. |
... trial to determine the Most Economical Rate of Nitrogen (MERN) and to compare spring, surface applied urea verses spring applied SUPERU®.
SUPERU® showed the highest agronomic efficiency of all the products compared in our NUE trials.
When surface applied on no-till corn after corn, SUPERU®'s returned $106.00 more than the untreated urea.
Take Home Lessons:
In this demonstration, SUPERU® improved surface applied nitrogen uptake.
Profits from nitrogen application increased by $106.00 with SUPERU®.
SUPERU® improved economic yield.
SUPERU® showed best agronomic efficiency of all products in trial.
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... trial to determine the Most Economical Rate of Nitrogen (MERN) and to compare spring, surface applied urea verses spring applied SUPERU®.
SUPERU® showed the highest agronomic efficiency of all the products compared in our NUE trials.
When surface applied on no-till corn after corn, SUPERU®'s returned $106.00 more than the untreated urea.
Take Home Lessons
In this demonstration, SUPERU® improved surface applied nitrogen uptake.
Profits from nitrogen application increased by $106.00 with SUPERU®.
SUPERU® improved economic yield.
SUPERU® showed best agronomic efficiency of all products in trial.
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... Rate of Nitrogen (MERN) and to compare spring, surface applied urea verses spring applied SUPERU®.
SUPERU® showed the highest agronomic efficiency of all the products compared in our NUE trials.
When surface applied on no-till corn after corn, SUPERU®'s returned $106.00 more than the untreated urea.
Take Home Lessons
In this demonstration, SUPERU® improved surface applied nitrogen uptake.
Profits from nitrogen application increased by $106.00 with SUPERU®.
SUPERU® improved economic yield.
SUPERU® showed best agronomic efficiency of all products in trial.
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... can improve nitrogen application efficiency
show how RTK yield monitoring equipment works at harvest time
show how the farmer and his advisers can collect data and make management decisions during the winter months.
We set plot sizes to match the farmer’s equipment width, which allowed him to do all of the plot work needed for the demonstration.
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... equipment can improve nitrogen application efficiency
show how RTK yield monitoring equipment works at harvest time
show how the farmer and his advisers can collect data and make management decisions during the winter months.
We set plot sizes to match the farmer’s equipment width, which allowed him to do all of the plot work needed for the demonstration.
John Traub prepares to apply anhydrous ammonia.
We created a fertilizer application map for the whole field (below). Marked areas indicate replicated plot locations and their assigned application rate.
The farmer applied anhydrous ammonia fertilizer in the fall, in a strip-tilled area. He harvested the plots wit ... more. |
... about conservation agriculture
Share information about conservation agriculture
Endorse adoption of "the ideal" conservation agriculture systems
Facilitate removal of barriers and support member organizations
Influence policy on a broad level
Current CASA Members
Conservation Tillage Workgroup (California)
Delta Conservation Demonstration Center (Mississippi)
Georgia Conservation Tillage Alliance
Innovative Cropping Systems (Virginia)
Manitoba-North Dakota Zero Tillage Farmers Association
Mexican Conservation Tillage Association
No-Till on the Plains
Ohio No-Till Council
Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association
Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance
Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association
Soil Co ... more. |
... Share
Possibly the most advanced innovations in nutrient management technology will be born of our ability to learn from each other. As agriculture produces more, it must conserve and even improve the quality ofnatural resources. Efficient nutrient management will comprise cornerstone methods for sustaining the health of our waters, and public and private research and demonstration facilities seem poised to deliver new solutions.
Enhanced data sharingamong state and federal agencies, universities, and countries will improve the overall quality of data and collection tools, substantiate findings, and provide decisionmakers with alarger pool of information.Electronic networks that allow researchers and practitioners t ... more. |
... benefits of using cover crops. As the morning progresses the sessions will cover the nuts and bolts of getting started with cover crops. You will hear details on how to choose the right cover crop, discuss costs and benefits associated with cover crops, learn when to plant and how to kill the cover crop and m much more. After the indoor sessions are through we will take a bus to a nearby demonstration plot to see a variety of cover crops and discuss them in the field.
Agenda
For more information call Angie Williams 765-494-1814 or email williams@conservationinformation.org
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... the work that begins with crop residue management.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit the Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC) web site at www.admcoalition.com for details on drainage water management systems, the science and regulations surrounding drainage water management, and — soon — data from each of the 20 demonstration sites in the Midwest.
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... Extensive use of precision agriculture technology to create a whole-farm fertility record
• Integrated manure management and cover crops used in conservation system
• Drainage managed and buffers incorporated for a total resource management system
Beck's Hybrids , Atlanta, Indiana
• Largest U.S. independent retail seed company
• 18-year no-till demonstration plots in Practical Farm Research™ (PFR) program
• Other studies look at strip-till and strip cropping with various crop combinations
• Research and Development facility, with greenhouses totaling 24,000 square feet, works year-round on new hybrid improvements
In addition to each of the farmer hosts, we'll hear from featured speakers, including Melanie Acklin, with SFP ... more. |
Innovative Cropping Systems Incentive Program (ICS)
Established 1996
ICS is a cooperative program that strives to furnish incentives that advance cropping management systems that offer efficiencies in crop production and enhance pollution reduction performance. ICS adoption incentives include outreach, technical transfer, education, demonstration, research, cooperation, development, partnerships and financial assistance.
Mission, Goals and Contact Information
http://colonialswcd.vaswcd.org
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... with The Ohio State University, Ohio No-Till Council, Purdue University, Michigan State University, Ag Conservation Solutions and the Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District will work with four farmers in Indiana and four farmers in Ohio to assist them in using cover crops to transition to continuous no-till. The experiences of the transitioning farmers, plus the data collected on their demonstration plots, will be included in educational workshops held in Indiana in spring 2009 and Ohio in spring 2011.
The new MCCC Web site can be accessed at www.mccc.msu.edu/. For more information about the MCCC or the web site, contact Eileen Kladivko at kladivko@purdue.edu or 765-494-6372. For more information about CTIC's work with cover crops, contact Angie Williams at williams@conservationi ... more. |
CTIC Member since 2003
Initially, Agrotain International joined CTIC to be affiliated with an organization that promoted no-till agriculture directly to farmers, to increase name recognition of our products with producers, and to provide product for demonstration purposes in areas where CTIC was promoting no-till agriculture. We win farmers as customers one at a time, and we were hoping that the affiliation with CTIC would give us more opportunity for direct contact with more producers.
Heretofore we saw the benefits of our CTIC membership in direct contact with producers, dealers and researchers during the summer CTIC Board of Directors meeting and ... more. |
Current Projects
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... for the role.
"Ryan has put his farm background and deep love for nature to work in a career in conservation," White notes. "He is a skilled organizer, mobilizer, coalition builder and fundraiser. He knows many of our partners. He has implemented on his own family farm some of the very conservation programs CTIC helps farmers and their advisors understand. Finally, he has led projects and secured grants that have provided himknowledge of what it takes to put conservation on the ground so it has animpact for all the stakeholders involved.
“I am humbled to have the opportunity to join and help lead CTIC as we celebrate 40 years of accomplishments and adapt to new challenges. I’m proud to bring a tractor-seat perspective to this role to help ensur ... more. |
... these past few months, especially for their help in hosting yet another #BestTourEver in St. Louis, this time combined with the 40th anniversary celebration. With Ryan’s arrival, we’re very excited about the many opportunities for growth and impact of CTIC, not only with our traditional funding partners at EPA and NRCS, but now also in the emerging climate smart marketplace with projects like our new CSA Connector™. Our future is so bright we've got to wear shades!
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... forefront—but the essence and importance only continue to grow.
As CTIC celebrates its 40thanniversary, I’ve reflected on all the people the organization has engaged with over the years to accomplish our mission. The impact an organization like ours can have is truly remarkable. To this day, I still hear praise from past board members, directors, and partners about projects dating back to long before my arrival, not to mention all the support for our ongoing work. It is humbling. I’m excited for the future of CTIC as we transition to the most pressing and highest potential topics in conservation: climate and technology.
Late this May, my wife Katie and I welcomed a little girl to our family. The joy and excitement we have shared this last mont ... more. |
... strategically about the future of conservation agriculture and CTIC," White adds. "We are ready to set the course for CTIC's next 40 years."
For more information on CTIC's executive director position, see the full job description at ctic.org/ED_description or email job-opportunities@ctic.org. Visit ctic.org for more information on the organization and its projects.
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... of regenerative conservation practices like reduced tillage and winter cover crops.”
With the expected launch of the enrollment webpage in early 2022, CTIC will be seeking help to encourage farmer participation in CVN from across the state of Indiana. In the meantime, any updateswill continue to beposted to the project’s current webpage:https://ctic.org/projects/ConservationValidationNetwork.
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... for Bamert Seed in Muleshoe, Texas. "But it also helps with the biology below ground: all these roots look different under the soil, also, and all this biodiversity is our best insurance against drought."
Since 1951, Bamert Seed has been a leader in breeding, growing and blending native seed for prairie restoration, grazing swards, pollinator habitat, reclamation projects and more.
Grotegut uses Bamert Seed blends to make his operation more productive and sustainable, tapping into the dynamics of the prairie.
"Farmers have spent billions and billions of dollars to fight the process of plant succession," he notes. "And our view today is let's quit fighting plant succession and try to utilize it to our benefit."
C ... more. |
... at Heidelberg University will calculate the reductions for each participating grower using the NTT model and report this to CTIC. The contract will call for payment to be made soon after planting of the 2022 crop.
Sign Up Online
Interested farmers with fields in the Western Lake Erie Basin can find more information and apply for PLUS-UP using the CTIC website: https://ctic.org/projects/Sustainable_Supply_Chains/PLUS-UP. Forms will ask for prospective participants' conservation and phosphorus practices, combined with their location and how many eligible acres they have.
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... Evolvement to Make a More Swimmable California
Erick Burres
Speaker Bio
Erick Burres is a Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist with California’s State Water Resources Control Board where he leads the Clean Water Team. Mr. Burres has a BS in Zoology and a MPA in Public Policy and Administration. He has worked on wildlife conservation, fisheries and watershed stewardship projects since the late 1980’s and has been with the Clean Water Team since 2000.
Video Length - 12:18
Utah’s Joint Harmful Algal Bloom and E. coli Recreational Water Quality Advisory Program
Kate Fickas
Speaker Bio
Dr. Kate Fickas earned her Ph.D. at OSU coming up with novel ways to use dense time series analysis of satellite imagery to track spatio-temporal ... more. |
... Bio
Anicet R. Blanch is Full Professor of Microbiology at the University of Barcelona. His research in Water and Environmental Microbiology is focused on the development of selective and specific methods for the detection of bacteria, on Microbial Source Tracking and on the use of bacteriophages as viral indicators in water, food and sludge. He is participating in national and EU-projects since 1988. He has also expertise on innovation and knowledge management and has been participating as member of technical panels in standardisation agencies (AENOR/CEN/ISO). He is member of the Directive Board of the Water Research Institute at the University of Barcelona, and trustee of the Technology Transfer Foundation of the University of Barcelona.
Video Length - 10:07
... more. |
Our members renew again and again; they realize the many important benefits, directly and indirectly, of CTIC's work.
They earn national recognition, and show the public their commitment to agricultural conservation. Many members partner on our projects, supporting CTIC with technical information and assistance.
View our current CTIC members by selecting from the tabs below.
Corporate Members Institutional Members Individual Members
Gold Corporate Member
Bayer CropScience
www.bayercropscience.com
Bayer CropScience is an innovative cropscience company in the area of crop protection (Crop Protection), ... more. |
... you enjoy the newsletter.
A NOTE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Hello everyone, this year has been exciting for CTIC. Over the past six months, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about the history of our organization through the eyes of many of you. It’s been a pleasure to hear the fond stories around the Conservation in Action Tour and the past projects that CTIC has lead and participated in. I’m honored and humbled to lead an organization with such a rich history of working in conservation agriculture.
Looking to the future, CTIC is primed to play a critical role in the delivery of conservation data and information. Beginning with OpTIS and DNDC data, CTIC is working to create new ways to visualize and interpret these cri ... more. |
CTIC Projects « Data on Conservation Practices « OpTIS
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... Gustafson is an independent scientist who uses modeling to help food systems meet human nutrition needs in more sustainable ways. His academic training was in chemical engineering (Stanford, B.S., 1980; University of Washington, Ph.D., 1983). He worked 30 years in private industry (Shell, Rhône-Poulenc, and Monsanto – a manufacturer of glyphosate). Dr. Gustafson now leads research projects at two non-profits: CTIC and ILSI Research Foundation.
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... is the role Komp has been selected to fill.
"Mike brings skills that reflect not only the legacy of CTIC but also the technical knowledge that will help guide our organization into the future," Tindall said.
"For nearly 40 years, CTIC has kept up with the latest technology to collect and disseminate information about conservation agriculture. Today, with projects like our new Operational Tillage Information System (OpTIS), remote sensing and big-data analysis are becoming central to our mission," Tindall added. "Mike brings his experience in those fields—and his program development skills—which will help farmers, consultants, researchers, conservation professionals, policy makers and so many more stakeholders put that information to ... more. |
Ag Consultant Training in Systems that Protect Water Quality National Aquatic Resources Workshop National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI)Operational Tillage Information System (OpTIS) Cover Crop Surveys
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... short, we Connect, Inform and Champion to encourage the adoption of practices that protect soil, water and air quality as well as farmers’ economic sustainability.
There has never been a better time to join CTIC. We’ve got great programs in the field and a clearinghouse full of information on everything from selecting the right cover crops to organizing watershed-wide conservation projects.
In addition to the information below, a membership application is now available online at https://www.ctic.org/Membership/Join
Here you will be able to pay your membership dues online with a credit card (available for memberships up to $2,000) request an invoice, or provide us with special billing instructions.
You can find out even more about what CTIC has to offer atwww.ctic.org ... more. |
... the farm who are committed to practical, productive conservation farming systems.
Contact Crystal Hatfield, hatfield@ctic.org, for more information on becoming a member.
Join Today
Members support CTIC's important work. Help make it happen. We:
deliver balanced informationaboutemerging agriculture conservation issues
keep members up to speed on our projects
support environmentally responsible and economically viable decision making in agriculture
develop strong public/private partnership to get good work done
And, through our network of agribusiness, associations, researchers, scientists, media, educators and ag advisors, wedistributeinformation quickly and reliably.
With our solid, active and dedicatedmembership, we de ... more. |
CTIC Projects « Cover Crops Research and Demonstration « Let's Do the Math On Cover Crops
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « CIA Tours « 2018
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « Application Timing
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « SUPERU
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « Strip-till Nitrogen
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « Strip Tillage Fall Nitrogen Application
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « Slow Release Fertilizer
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « Phosphorus Sidedress with MicroEssentials®
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « Nitrogen Application Timing
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « Indian Creek Watershed Project « Agrium's ESN® v. Urea
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CTIC Projects « Promoting Conservation « NARS Water Quality Spotlights
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « CIA Tours « 2009 |
CTIC Projects « Connecting People « CIA Tours « 2010
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « CIA Tours « 2011 |
CTIC Projects « Connecting People « CIA Tours « 2012 |
CTIC Projects « Connecting People « CIA Tours « 2013 |
CTIC Projects « Connecting People « CIA Tours « 2014 |
CTIC Projects « Connecting People « CIA Tours « 2015 |
CTIC Projects « Connecting People « CIA Tours « 2016
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CTIC Projects « Connecting People « CIA Tour
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CTIC Projects « Data on Conservation Practices « CRM
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Additional Resources
CTIC and its partners lead projects at the local, regional and national level to address agriculture's pressing conservation needs. Each projectincludes public and private sector partners, shares information about new technology and tools, and promotes agricultural systems that are both economically viable and environmentally beneficial.
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... in the near future. For more information, contact Mike Smith at smith@ctic.org.
Supply Chain Sustainability in Iowa
CTIC recently applied to extend our supply chain sustainability project in Iowa for another three years. Because we are optimistic about that application’s success, we are simultaneously pursuing NRCS funding to enhance that project with farmer-led field demonstrations similar to those that were critical to the success of our Indian Creek Watershed project in Illinois. If your organization would like to be part of the planning or implementation of these demos, contact Chad Watts at watts@ctic.org as soon as possible for more information.
Bee Integrated
CTIC manages the Bee Integrated project on behalf of the Honey Bee Health Coalition to ... more. |
... is writing a series of articles profiling farmers who have improved habitat and reduced nutrient loading in surface waters. The articles will be designed for placement in agricultural publications, environmental media and local newspapers to highlight environmental improvements by farmers and to inspire others to protect water quality.
We’re looking for examples of great on-farm projects where voluntary nutrient management practices, habitat restoration and/or structural improvements are reducing nutrient loading and other water quality impairments. If you know of a project or a farmer that fits this description, contact Chad Watts at watts@ctic.org.
OpTIS:
CTIC is currently working with Applied GeoSolutions, a data analytics company based out of New Hampshire, to refin ... more. |
... championing conservation agriculture. Thank you to everyone who attended from near and far and who helped support the tour.
We continued to provide technical and educational support across the country through workshops and meetings that brought together farmers, researchers, regulators and policymakers.
We continued to curate information and track trends in conservation agriculture through projects and surveys, such as our annual cover crop survey and our Let's Do the Math: Economic, Agronomic and Environmental Benefits of Cover Crops project.
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... is writing a series of articles profiling farmers who have improved habitat and reduced nutrient loading in surface waters. The articles will be designed for placement in agricultural publications, environmental media and local newspapers to highlight environmental improvements by farmers and to inspire others to protect water quality.
We’re looking for examples of great on-farm projects where voluntary nutrient management practices, habitat restoration and/or structural improvements are reducing nutrient loading and other water quality impairments. If you know of a project or a farmer that fits this description, contact Tammy Taylor attaylor@ctic.org
OpTIS:
CTIC is currently working with Applied GeoSolutions, a data analytics company based out of New Hampshire, t ... more. |
... is writing a series of articles profiling farmers who have improved habitat and reduced nutrient loading in surface waters. The articles will be designed for placement in agricultural publications, environmental media and local newspapers to highlight environmental improvements by farmers and to inspire others to protect water quality.
We’re looking for examples of great on-farm projects where voluntary nutrient management practices, habitat restoration and/or structural improvements are reducing nutrient loading and other water quality impairments. If you know of a project or a farmer that fits this description, contact Tammy Taylor attaylor@ctic.org
OpTIS:
CTIC is currently working with Applied GeoSolutions, a data analytics company based out of New Hampshire, t ... more. |
... a series of articles profiling farmers who have improved habitat and reduced nutrient loading in surface waters. The articles will be designed for placement in agricultural publications, environmental media and local newspapers to highlight environmental improvements by farmers and to inspire others to protect water quality.
We're looking for examples of great on-farm projects where voluntary nutrient management practices, habitat restoration and/or structural improvements are reducing nutrient loading and other water quality impairments. If you know of a project or a farmer that fits this description, contact Tammy Taylor at taylor@ctic.org.
OpTIS:
CTIC is currently working with Applied GeoSolutions, a data analytics company based out of New Hampshire, ... more. |
Ag Consultant Training in Systems that Protect Water Quality National Aquatic Resources Workshop National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) Operational Tillage Information System (OpTIS) Cover Crop Surveys
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Ag Consultant Training in Systems that Protect Water Quality National Aquatic Resources Workshop National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) Operational Tillage Information System (OpTIS) Cover Crop Surveys
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Ag Consultant Training in Systems that Protect Water Quality National Aquatic Resources Workshop National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI)Operational Tillage Information System (OpTIS) Cover Crop Surveys
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... championing conservation agriculture. Thank you to everyone who attended from near and far and who helped support the tour.
We continued to provide technical and educational support across the country through workshops and meetings that brought together farmers, researchers, regulators and policymakers.
We continued to curate information and track trends in conservation agriculture through projects and surveys, such as our annual cover crop survey and our Let's Do the Math: Economic, Agronomic and Environmental Benefits of Cover Crops project.
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... in conservation agriculture and helps us continue to grow our organization. CTIC members play a critical role in spreading the message about how conservation practices can help improve soil and water quality, boost profitability and more. We couldn’t do it without you!
As a CTIC member, you:
Network with leaders in conservation and agriculture
Collaborate on projects that encourage and steer conservation efforts
Access the latest research and information
Gain national recognition for your support of agricultural conservation.
Have recognition on CTIC's web page
Receive a one-year subscription to Conservation in Action Partners and Member Mail
To renew your membership, please email Crystal Hatfield at hatfield@ctic.org or call 765-494-9555. An ... more. |
Who We Are
CTIC connects people from across agriculture and the conservation community to encourage greater adoption of farming systems that are economically and environmentally sustainable. We link farms, universities, government and business in projects that explore and champion conservation agriculture.
LEARN MORE
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Farmers in Washington’s Whatcom County are engaged in a wide range of water quality improvement projects. TMDLs (total maximum daily loads) in local waterways cover fecal coliform, ammonia-nitrogen, biochemical oxygen demand, chlorine and temperature.
The presence of commercial shellfish beds not far from the mouth of the Nooksack River puts added pressure on farmers and shellfish harvesters to work together on water quality improvements.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Nation ... more. |
CTIC and its partners lead initiatives at the local, regional and national level to address agriculture’s pressing conservation needs. Each initiative includes public and private sector partners, shares information about new technology and tools and promotes agricultural systems that are both economically viable and environmentally beneficial.
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Are you an experienced leader and manager who can step into a vibrant organization with a dedicated staff and diverse lineup of projects and programs? Applications due by March 9. More...
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... 2014 International Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference.
• We kicked off our 2.5-year Economic, Agronomic and Environmental Benefits of Cover Crops CIG project.
• Our 7th annual Conservation in Action Tour brought more than 150 conservation-minded participants to Florida for a look at cutting edge stormwater treatment, nutrient management and wildlife enhancement projects.
We even got cited on Capitol Hill by none other than U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and NRCS Chief Jason Weller. Thanks to our dedicated members and staff, CTIC is championing conservation agriculture at all levels.
For a more complete list of 2014 achievements, click here.
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... conservation agriculture in its work with CTIC. The company has been the lead sponsor of the Conservation in Action Tour for the past four years and a top-tier sponsor of the Indian Creek Watershed Project. In addition, Mosaic is a founding partner of the Watershed Implementation and Innovation Network (WIIN), an online network that provides a forum for information sharing among watershed projects as well as easy access to experts and resources for learning and inspiration. Mosaic also was a platinum sponsor for the 6th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture, which took place in June in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
For more information on The Mosaic Company, visitwww.mosaicco.com.
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Take a tour of the new WIIN, an innovative website for watershed project managers in the Mississippi River Basin. The Great Rivers & Upstream Heroes Watershed Implementation & Innovation Network (WIIN) is an online resource for sharing detailed information about watershed projects throughout the Basin, including data and lessons learned.
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CTIC's cover crop projects are working with numerous partners to bring quality field days to producers throughout our project areas. Click here to find details about the many events.
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The CTIC Board of Directors will meet Jan. 30, 2013, in San Antonio, Texas, for its Winter 2013 meeting. In addition to discussing the 2013 Conservation In Action Tour, the Board will evaluate current projects, track progress on the strategic plan and review the FY2012 audit. CTIC Members will elect new officers and directors as well.
WHEN: Jan. 30, 2013, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Marriott Rivercenter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas
&n ... more. |
... he’s gained from attending all the Congressional Farm Bill markup sessions and talking with key players on both sides of the aisle. Several ag journalists took advantage of the opportunity to interview David.
Farm Industry News, DTN, No-Till Farmer, Meister Media, AgWired, Progressive Farmer, Prairie Farmer and more stopped by to visit and learn more about our current projects as well as our upcoming anniversary celebration.
CTIC members also exhibiting at InfoExpo proudly joined in celebrating our 30th year by displaying the CTIC logo at their booth.
Thanks, Members!
Many visitors to CTIC's booth completed a short survey for a chance to win a Kindle Fire and to take home a gift bag full of goodies. Our specia ... more. |
... Ecology, Economics and Ethics," held July 22-25 in Fort Worth, Texas. Our exhibit stood out with balloons and festive gift bags to celebrate our 30 years of service to agriculture.
Karen Scanlon, CTIC executive director, and Chad Watts, CTIC project director, talked with conference participants about CTIC's longevity, past and current projects and future challenges to agricultural conservation. More than a hundred people visited the booth, and many of those completed a short survey to enter a drawing for a Kindle Fire.
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... our team for the summer (and maybe longer) and help to champion, promote and provide information about conservation systems in agriculture.
The CTIC Communications Intern will develop, deliver and monitor programs, messages and materials to promote conservation agriculture. He/she will assist CTIC staff in creating communications and information material that supports CTIC projects, promotes CTIC and provides value to our membership. Audiences include, among others, federal, state and local government agencies; agriculture industry, media and associations; conservation groups and watershed partnerships.
This paid position is available June 1, 2011, for full-time (40-hour week) work through the summer. Qualified interns may extend the work period, at part ... more. |
... crop and conservation tillage systems that can be sustained after the project ends.
Education
CTIC will work with partners to host 18 workshops in the three watersheds (Lake Michigan Watershed, Lake Erie Watershed and Lake Huron Watershed) promoting Cover Crops and conservation tillage systems. Three workshops will be held in each watershed each year for the first two years of the projects.
Technical
Following the workshops crop consultants and work closely with agricultural producers willing to use cover crops and conservation tillage to ensure the best possible results for these producers.
Social
Farmers will receive regular communications via an email list serve and a comprehensive project web site which will provide useful information from project partne ... more. |
... Pollution that results from many difficult-to-pinpoint and control sources, rather than one specific source. For example, runoff from farm operations, forestry, urban environments, mining, construction and others.
Water quality trading continues to gain interest among industry and agricultural producers as a viable market-based alternative to achieving water quality improvements. New projects in the Midwest explore how to structure a large-scale trading program, the feasibility of trading in the Wabash River watershed and the support role that agricultural industry can play.
Water quality trading assigns economic value to the benefits generated by conservation practice implementation, according to the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) publication, “Getting P ... more. |
... that results from many difficult-to-pinpoint and control sources, rather than one specific source. For example, runoff from farm operations, forestry, urban environments, mining, construction and others.
Water quality trading continues to gain interest among industry and agricultural producers as a viable market-based alternative to achieving water quality improvements. New projects in the Midwest explore how to structure a large-scale trading program, the feasibility of trading in the Wabash River watershed and the support role that agricultural industry can play.
Water quality trading assigns economic value to the benefits generated by conservation practice implementation, according to the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) publication, “Getting P ... more. |
... take.
Want to work on CASA PowerPoint that each member can use to promote CASA at their
meetings, etc.
Community of Practice in support of Conservation Agriculture – Karen to resend to group.
Member Updates
Reduced Tillage LINKAGES: Finished FarmTech conference; 1,200 attendance. Ross Johns from
Australia talked GRDC and his farm. Wayne Smith and John Phipps also spoke. Projects:
measuring energy uses in different tillage systems; evaluating GHG calculator, HOLOS, which
can be downloaded and used to estimate GHG emissions from farm. Will send link. Will be
closing organization in August 2009; will keep us posted.
PNDSA: Had close to 400 attend conference on Jan 21-22 in Kennewick, WA. Get sense that
lots of interest building in direct seed. Have 6 different bre ... more. |
... that allows members to receive additional value and recognition for their support of comprehensive conservation and sustainable agricultural systems. With additional membership dues above the basic level in each membership category, members achieve medal status of Gold, Silver or Bronze. The additional support provided by our Medal Members enables CTIC to enhance our regional and national projects, to explore new partnership opportunities and to bring national recognition to public and private efforts to advance conservation agriculture.
CTIC is proud to recognize the 2010 Medal Members on this page, at CTIC regional and national events, at CTIC Board of Directors meetings and in other ways. To learn more about CTIC membership and medal levels, click here.
GOLD Corporate ... more. |
... Medal Membership allows members to receive added value and recognition for their support of comprehensive conservation and sustainable agricultural systems. With additional membership dues above the basic level in each membership category, members achieve medal status of Gold, Silver or Bronze. The support provided by Medal Members enables CTIC to enhance regional and national projects, to explore new partnership opportunities and to gain national recognition.
CTIC recognizes Medal Members through Partners magazine, at CTIC regional and national events, at CTIC Board of Directors meetings and elsewhere. To learn more about CTIC membership and medal levels, click here.
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... that allows members to receive additional value and recognition for their support of comprehensive conservation and sustainable agricultural systems. With additional membership dues above the basic level in each membership category, members achieve medal status of Gold, Silver or Bronze. The additional support provided by our Medal Members enables CTIC to enhance our regional and national projects, to explore new partnership opportunities and to bring national recognition to public and private efforts to advance conservation agriculture.
CTIC is proud to recognize the 2009 Medal Members on this page, at CTIC regional and national events, at CTIC Board of Directors meetings and in other ways. To learn more about CTIC membership and medal levels, click here.
GOLD Corporate
... more. |
... at http://www.mnproject.org/pdf/TMP_Transportation-Biofuels-Update_Aug09.pdf
USDA Announces $320 Million to Improve Mississippi River Basin Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat
In September, USDA announced the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI), which will provide $80 million in each of the next four fiscal years (for a total of $320 million) for voluntary projects in priority watersheds located in 12 key states. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the MRBI will help producers adopt conservation systems that have environmental benefits and maintain agricultural productivity. The states involved in the initiative are Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
... more. |
... popularity in the United States. Gypsum is especially popular in no-till systems, because of the marked improvement in soil structure and decrease in soil compaction.
There are three ways to obtain gypsum. It can be mined, but this method is not usually readily available or cost-effective. The second method is to reclaim and recycle gypsum products, including drywall from new construction projects. The final method is to collect the calcium sulfate that is the bi-product of the eco-friendly process of producing electricity. The latter two methods are more commonplace, especially in the Midwest. This not only helps rebuild your soil, it reuses byproducts that would otherwise go to waste.
Gypsum improves structure and balances the nutrients in your soil. Plus, it offers a variety of oth ... more. |
... in the United Kingdom and The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Terra takes pride in protecting the land, air and water and having superior customer relations in the communities in which they operate. Since 1987, Terra has reduced their nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by about 80 percent by installing selective catalytic reduction systems in its facilities and has implemented projects to reduce toxic emissions of ammonia, nitrate and methanol. Currently, the company is installing low-NOx burners and greenhouse abatement systems to further reduce NOx and carbon dioxide emissions.
www.terraindustries.com
INSTITUTIONAL
Alberta Reduced Tillage LINKAGES (RTL)
The Alberta Reduced Tillage LINKAGES ... more. |
... a net output of 350 to 380 kw/h – enough energy to power 400 to 500 homes, which the Wieses sell to Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, the state's power utility.
Buy octane
A consistent supply of fuel is vital to operate a power plant – combustion facilities are efficient when they are burning continuously. Langmo adds that banks financing big public works projects are especially eager to see a sustainable source of fuel.
Minnesota has plenty of turkey litter. And even if a disease outbreak quarantines producers in one area or forces them to depopulate their flocks, says Langmo, Fibrominn's fleet of 60 semis services a 100-mile radius around Benson, picking up litter from hundreds of farms, so they're likely to reach areas not affected ... more. |
... Identify Pollution Causes and Sources
Monitoring and Pollutant Load Estimation
Load Estimation Models and Spreadsheets
Identifying Critical Areas for BMP Applications
Linking BMPs to Pollutant Sources
Data Quality Objectives and Quality Assurance Project Plans
Who Does the Monitoring?
Estimating Monitoring Costs
Presenting Monitoring and Assessment Information
Why do Monitoring Projects Succeed or Fail?
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Provide Information
Find conservation resources including websites, documents, research results, and our current projects. CTIC members can access our list of experts. Join Today (link to Become a Member)
* Topics A-Z
* CTIC Initiatives (link to Lead Initiatives)
* Guides and Research Documents (link to Online Store/Free Publications)
* Experts (Members Only)
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WIIN Webinar on how to increase interaction with and involvement of producers in watershed project design and implementation. Click to get file. |
