DEDICATION TO EDUCATION
Attention to improvement of nutrient stewardship has been, is, and remains the focal point of many ag and environmentally-related associations and organizations. Whether toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie, the Des Moines Water Works water quality challenges in Northwest Iowa or continued concern over Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico, agriculture is perceived to be a challenge to water quality. Illinois leads the way with new, innovative tools and services to improve and demonstrate production agriculture’s stewardship efforts and retain ownership of nutrient management at the farm gate with programs, such as 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship[i] , Keep it 4R Crop[ii], the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy[iii], or the Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC). To continue our effort to lead the nation with nutrient stewardship education and outreach we need to reach out to our young developing minds for help.
This program will take the stewardship message directly to our high school students that will shape production agriculture of the future. The program is designed to challenge secondary education students to learn about nutrient use, and help discover better ways to approach nutrient stewardship. This project will hopefully inspire young minds to consider production agriculture as a career option. The projects will also serve as an outreach program for local farmers. The information gathered will help everyone learn more about the behavior of soil N and should provide valuable information when farmers make N management decisions.
This program will take the stewardship message directly to our high school students that will shape production agriculture of the future. The program is designed to challenge secondary education students to learn about nutrient use, and help discover better ways to approach nutrient stewardship. This project will hopefully inspire young minds to consider production agriculture as a career option. The projects will also serve as an outreach program for local farmers. The information gathered will help everyone learn more about the behavior of soil N and should provide valuable information when farmers make N management decisions.
ORIGIN OF "NITROGEN NINJA"
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Dr. Willam Raun is a Professor of Plant and Soil Science at Oklahoma State University. He granted the title of "Nitrogen Ninja", to his students successfully memorizing a version of The Nitrogen Cycle created by he and his graduate students. His effort has inspired students to "climb inside the Nitrogen Cycle" and visualize nitrogen from a soil's perspective. It is not difficult to discover who has taken Dr. Raun's soil fertility course. Just ask to see their Nitrogen Ninja card. A sincere thank you is extended to Dr. Raun for his contributions to production agriculture and serving as a source of inspiration to further expand education and outreach related to nitrogen management. Illini FS hopes to grow the number of Nitrogen Ninjas with our high school outreach and stewardship efforts.
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ORIGIN OF TRACKING PLANT-AVAILABLE N
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Dr. Howard Brown originated the concept of tracking plant-available N while working with GROWMARK, Inc. and has continued his work at Illini FS to modify and improve nitrogen tracking as a new tool in our effort to improve nutrient stewardship. "It is about focusing on what is important. It is about focusing on M.O.M.: Minimize environmental impact by Optimizing farm profitability, and Maximizing nutrient utilization. To make sustainable improvements with nutrient management we must also improve farm profitability. NuTRACKER Plus is a tool designed to do both... the reason I am excited about continued development and improvement of the tool. It is truly all about M.O.M."
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[i] Trademark of The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), 425 Third Street, SW, Suite 950, Washington, D.C. 20024. Ph. 202-962-0577. www.tfi.org
[ii] Trademark of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, 14171 Carole Drive, Bloomington, IL 61705. Ph. 309-827-2774. www.ifca.com
[iii] Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1021 North Grand Ave. East, P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, IL 62794, Ph. 217-782-3397. www.epa.illinois.gov
[ii] Trademark of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, 14171 Carole Drive, Bloomington, IL 61705. Ph. 309-827-2774. www.ifca.com
[iii] Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1021 North Grand Ave. East, P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, IL 62794, Ph. 217-782-3397. www.epa.illinois.gov