Nutrient grants awarded

Two area counties have been awarded grants to help promote local nutrient stewardship, water quality projects and soil health.

Five farmers will be recruited in Livingston County to test the economic feasibility and effectiveness of cover crops, various tillage methods and different kinds of soil testing. Participating groups include American Farmland Trust, Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District, Soil Health Partnership and the Illinois Corn Growers Association.

Meanwhile, several groups in McLean County will work on nitrate testing in the Lake Evergreen watershed area. Those groups include the Illinois Corn Growers Association, local ag retailers, the Soil and Water Conservation District and Illinois State University.