The Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Soil Conservation Division has received $1,713,333 from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help the state's nutrient reduction strategy efforts. The funding is part of the Gulf Hypoxia Program created under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which seeks to lessen the downstream impact of excessive nutrient loads into the Gulf of Mexico.
The funding will enable ISDA to support water quality improvement efforts through its Division of Soil Conservation and partnerships. The agency plans to develop a statewide soil sampling program aimed at increasing the adoption of nutrient management to minimize nutrient runoff and improve nutrient use efficiency across the state. Additionally, ISDA will partner with Purdue University to create an Indiana Nutrient Research and Education Program (INREP) to expand the work of the Indiana Science Assessment to improve methods for quantifying nutrient reduction from conservation practices and determine conservation practice efficiency.
Partners for the project include the Indiana Conservation Partnership, Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance, ag retailers, Certified Crop Advisors, Purdue University, and landowners. The funding is expected to sustain efforts through September 2025, with additional future funding expected through the Gulf Hypoxia Program. The program will complement and contribute to the efforts and success of the Indiana State Nutrient Reduction Strategy to improve water quality in Indiana lakes, streams, and rivers, and downstream in the Mississippi River, Gulf of Mexico, and Great Lakes.
Photo Credit: GettyImages-Dmytro Diedov
Categories: Indiana, Government & Policy