2020 Edge of Field Partnership

In keeping with its goal to install at least five woodchip bioreactors across the state beginning in 2017, the Woodchip Bioreactor Partnership, formerly the Edge of Field Partnership, comprised of Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois LICA, IL Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the University of Illinois’ College of ACES, completed its third bioreactor installation on September 21st. Given the statewide COVID 19 restrictions, the planned field day event was closed to the public and instead transformed into a virtual field day through video documentation of the practice construction.

An 11' x 44' woodchip bioreactor was installed just east of Galva, IL on the Corkill family farm, treating approximately 18 acres of pattern tile drainage for nitrate removal. The project was completed over roughly two days under the lead of contractor member David Johnston, Johnston Land Improvement, on behalf of Illinois LICA. This particular NRCS designed bioreactor marked the first soil capped bioreactor installed by Illinois LICA. It also happens to be the fourth bioreactor in Henry County, of which two were installed through the Woodchip Bioreactor Partnership and two were installed by Johnston Land Improvement. While this partnership cost shares on these practices up to a certain percentage, this particular bioreactor was fully funded through the NRCS’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

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