Funded Project

2017 | Jo Daviess County Soil & Water Health Coalition- Galena River Watershed

Contact

Applicant Organization: League of Women Voters

Contact: Beth Barnanski

Project Summary

Building on extensive county-wide planning, the Jo Daviess County Soil & Water Health Coalition launched a farmer-led initiative to restore watershed health in the Galena River Watershed. This project was rooted in years of relationship-building and education, culminating in a proposal that secured a $20,000 grant from Fishers & Farmers Partnership. That funding enabled the coalition to begin outreach, host workshops, conduct tributary sampling, and develop a watershed-based plan.

The project focused on engaging farmers directly in conversations about soil health and water quality. Through a series of facilitated discussions and field days, producers shared experiences, learned from experts, and explored practical conservation strategies. These events helped build consensus around best management practices such as no-till farming, cover crops, and managed grazing.

Scientific data collection was a key component of the project. The coalition partnered with the Illinois State Geological and Water Surveys to sample tributaries and identify nitrate sources. This data informed strategic planning and helped prioritize areas for conservation action. Soil health testing using the Haney method was also introduced, giving farmers new insights into biological activity and organic matter in their soils.

The project culminated in the completion of a watershed-based plan for the Galena River (HUC 070600050307), which now serves as a

roadmap for future restoration efforts. The coalition has since expanded its reach countywide, continuing to host educational events, engage new producers, and implement targeted conservation practices.

This project exemplifies how local leadership, scientific collaboration, and targeted funding can come together to drive meaningful change in watershed health and agricultural sustainability.

Goals

Form a farmer-led coalition to guide conservation efforts
Conduct tributary sampling to identify nitrate sources
Launch soil health testing through cover crop experimentation
Host educational workshops to promote best management practices (BMPs)

Activities & Outcomes

Formation of the Soil & Water Health Coalition, a farmer-led group now active countywide
12 educational events held, including field days, panels, and workshops
Tributary sampling conducted in partnership with state scientists to trace nitrate sources
Watershed-based plan completed for the Galena River (HUC 070600050307)
Haney soil testing initiated to assess biological activity and organic matter
Over 100 farmers engaged, with growing participation across Jo Daviess County

Conservation Practices Promoted

No-till farming
Cover crops
Managed grazing
Riparian buffers
Prairie strips
Streambank stabilization

Impact

The Fishers & Farmers Partnership grant served as a catalyst for long-term, community-driven conservation in Jo Daviess County. What began as a proposal to form a farmer-led group has grown into a countywide movement that continues to gain momentum.

Thanks to the initial funding, the coalition was able to:

Establish a trusted, farmer-led voice in watershed planning, creating a space where producers felt ownership over conservation decisions.
Engage over 100 farmers through field days, workshops, and one-on-one outreach, building a strong network of conservation-minded producers.
Elevate soil health as a central strategy for improving water quality, using Haney soil testing to guide management decisions and spark deeper conversations about land stewardship.
Generate actionable data through tributary sampling, helping identify nitrate sources and prioritize areas for best management practices.
Complete a watershed-based plan that now serves as a roadmap for future conservation investments in the Galena River Watershed.
Expand their reach beyond the initial sub-watershed to include producers across Jo Daviess County, with growing interest from neighboring regions.

The project also had a ripple effect beyond the farm gate. It strengthened partnerships between farmers, scientists, and local organizations; inspired new educational programming for youth and community members; and demonstrated how grassroots leadership can drive measurable environmental outcomes.

This project is a model for how targeted funding, when paired with local leadership and technical support, can spark lasting change in both landscape and community.