News

Conservation Drainage in Denmark: A Thread by Chris Hay

The International Interdisciplinary Conference on Land Use and Water Quality Conference took place in Aarhus, Denmark from June 3 – 6, 2025. ADMC member Chris Hay of Hay Water Solutions, LLC attended the conference and posted a great summary of the field tours on LinkedIn. Chris was kind enough to provide his posts for a guest blog to ADMC for a showcase of international practices.

Design & Performance Characteristics of an In-Stream Woodchip Denitrifying Bioreactor

Woodchip denitrifying bioreactors (WDBs) are an established edge-of-field practice for mitigating nitrogen (N) loads in agricultural drainage waters. Of the published ‘in-stream’ WDB case studies, many have suffered hydraulic failure due to siltation and clogging. In this study we present a very large (450 m3) in-stream WDB of a modular design that sought to incorporate clogging management features.

Springfield Plastics Names Jennifer Furkin President

Springfield Plastics, Inc., a leading tile drainage manufacturer, is pleased to announce that Jennifer Furkin has been named president of Springfield Plastics, stepping into the role that Steve Baker held for nearly 30 years. Furkin has been on the Springfield Plastics team for 25 years, most recently serving as vice president.

Administration Unveils Plan for Tech Focused Permit Reforms

The Council on Environmental Quality issued its Permitting Technology Action Plan, which seeks to modernize federal environmental review and permitting processes for a wide range of infrastructure projects, according to a White House press release. The action fulfills a directive from President Trump for agencies to make maximum use of technology in federal environmental reviews and permitting processes, according to the CEQ’s Permitting Innovation Center website.

Senate Continues Reconciliation Negotiations

Senators have been meeting all week in an attempt to find common ground on a reconciliation package that will implement much of President Trump’s domestic policy agenda. It is still very unclear what the Senate’s reconciliation bill will look like. Punch news reports that Senate Republicans are looking to rewrite two of the hardest-fought provisions in the House’s bill.

Secretary Rollins Defends Department Personnel Cuts at Senate Hearing

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins defended her record at a wide-ranging House Agriculture Committee hearing this week that touched on trade, personnel reductions at USDA, and cuts to nutrition programs. She repeatedly mentioned her travel abroad and attempts to open foreign markets to U.S. farm goods and said, as she has before, that the previous administration had vastly increased the workforce at USDA, making it necessary to cut back.

Illinois Field Day Features Drainage Water Recycling

On June 18, farmers, producers and consumers alike were invited to a free event held by the University of Illinois in Christian County to showcase the advances made in sustainable agricultural practices at the Dudley Smith Farm at the farm’s annual field day.

Topics this year included profitable nitrogen management, livestock grazing management, cover crop and water quality management and drainage water recycling.

Worker Dies After Collapse of 5-Foot-Deep Trench in Connecticut

Michael DiRocco Sr., 60, of Norwich was partially buried around 6:15 p.m. June 13 in a 5-foot-deep trench that caved in on a residential sewer-line installation project. It marks at least the eighth trench-collapse death this year in the U.S. and happened just before the industry entered the national Trench Safety Stand Down this week.

1 Worker Dies, 1 Injured When Hit by Excavator Buckets in Trenches

The most recent incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. June 3 in Woodland, Washington, when a worker was in a 15-foot-deep trench, and an excavator bucket landed on him, causing traumatic injury, according to fire department and media reports.

IRA Funds Appear to be Headed to Conservation Programs

Against all odds, it appears that money set aside in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for climate-smart agriculture programs may be headed for programs included in the Conservation Title of the next farm bill.

According to a recent analysis by Bloomberg, the U.S. House reconciliation plan budget would increase the funding for the four major conservation programs in Title II of the farm bill by $1 billion to more than $6 billion.

Edge of Field Practices Complement Conservation Efforts

Promoting healthy soil and water does not stop at the field’s edge. Gaining popularity in recent years are edge-of-field practices, designed to complement your existing conservation system and keep your inputs in the field.

Central Iowa Officials Ban Lawn Watering to Avoid Potential 'Water Crisis'

Central Iowa Water Works officials on Thursday imposed a ban on lawn watering. The ban is effective immediately and in place until further notice for the 600,000 residential and commercial customers the regional water authority serves.

NOAA Forecasts an Average Summer 'Dead Zone' in Gulf of America

NOAA is forecasting this summer’s Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) “dead zone” to be average-sized, covering approximately 5,574 square miles — an area roughly three times the size of Delaware. The dead zone, or hypoxic zone, is an area of low oxygen that can kill fish and other marine life. It occurs every summer and is primarily a result of excess nutrient pollution from human activities in cities and farm areas throughout the Mississippi-Atchafalaya watershed.

What's Your Business Exit Strategy?

Ever since you became a business owner, you’ve focused on growing revenue, managing expenses and leveraging tax advantages. But don’t overlook a critical element of your long-term financial well-being, that is, a business exit strategy. Ideally, your exit strategy will help you meet your retirement and estate planning goals.

Design & Performance of an In Stream Woodchip Denitrifying Bioreactor Treating Agricultural Drainage

Woodchip denitrifying bioreactors (WDBs) are an established edge-of-field practice for mitigating nitrogen losses in agricultural watersheds. WDBs also have potential to remove other aquatic contaminants associated with farming.

Invest in Your Kids' or Grandkids' Future with Help from the Tax Code

If you’re thinking about helping a child or grandchild pay for school, you’re not alone, and you’re not without help. While families have always saved for education, Section 529 plans have made it easier and more tax-efficient.

Conservation Funding Concerns in Illinois

The executive director of the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts says farmers are going to have less access to conservation expertise due to insufficient state funding.

Eliot Clay says for the second straight year, the state’s 97 local SWCD’s will receive only $4.5 million.

“We’re basically where we were at back in the ‘90s.”

Legacy Phosphorus - The Enduring Hidden Driver of Tile Drainage Loss

Lake Erie continues to have algal blooms in the summer because of excess phosphorus. There are various sources of phosphorus (P) entering Lake Erie, but agriculture is a dominant source. Recent research highlights the dominant role of legacy phosphorus (P) and the need for innovative solutions to protect water quality.

Shining a Spotlight on How Conservation Practices and Ag Tile Drainage Can Stop Nutrient Loss

Every quarter, a group of conservation professionals from non-profit groups, government agencies, and the tile drainage industry get together to share news and learn from one another. These 2-hour meetings are hosted by the Wetlands Initiative, but they are led by Wes Lehman. Wes is a sales rep and conservation specialist for Springfield Plastics, Inc.

Choosing the Optimal Accounting Method for Tax Savings

The accounting method your business uses to report income for tax purposes, either cash or accrual, can significantly impact your tax bill. While the cash method can offer tax-saving opportunities, the accrual method may in some cases be more appropriate or even required.