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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 takes the stewardship message directly to our high school students that will shape production agriculture of the future.  The projects are 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 agriculture as a career option and continue their education into areas of Illinois production agriculture.   The projects will also serve as an outreach program for local farmers.  The information gathered will help learn more about the behavior of soil N and should provide insight helpful when farmers make N management decisions.

COMPONENTS OF 2019 PROGRAM
N-TRACKER (program offered through Illini FS)
  • Inventory residual plant-available N following the 2018 harvest
  • Track plant-available N from harvest to tassel emergence the following growing season
  • Post findings at www.nu-tracker.com for local farmers to learn about nitrogen behavior
  • Provide information to help make economically sound and environmentally safe N management decisions

LEARNING ABOUT NITROGEN USE AND MANAGEMENT
  • Why N use and wise management is important to everyone
  • Sources of N in the environment and fertilizer production
  • What the N Cycle is and what are the processes involved
  • How crop production affects the N Cycle and nutrient stewardship.
  • Why the form of plant-available N changes in soil and the importance of such changes.

INSPIRING STUDENTS TO BE FUTURE "NITROGEN NINJAS"
  • Draw the N Cycle from memory
  • Correctly describe the processes involved in the N Cycle
  • (Above completed through testing)

​ORIGIN OF "NITROGEN NINJA"

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.

​ORIGIN OF TRACKING PLANT-AVAILABLE N

​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.  N-TRACKER 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."   

​Dr. Brown and Illini FS are also engaged with outreach N educational programs with some local area high schools.  Check out www.nu-tracker.com to learn about the 2016-17 program at Paris High School.
[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