2025 Woodchip Bioreactor Partnership

Article: Woodchip Bioreactor Helps Peoria Area Farmer Reduce Nitrogen Runoff

The Woodchip Bioreactor Partnership, comprised of Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB), Illinois LICA (ILICA), Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service (ILNRCS), and the University of Illinois (UofI), installed their seventh woodchip bioreactor  for the removal of nitrates from subsurface drainage water with additional support this year from the Fishers & Farmers Partnership. Complete with a public field day on August 19 on Ethan Koehler’s farm near Henry, IL, those on-hand (~50) learned exactly what the conservation drainage practice is, how it works, why it works, and where it works from a number of industry experts present throughout the event to answer questions and share their knowledge.

Treating approximately 17 acres, the woodchip bioreactor, 11’ x 44’, was an excellent fit for the Koehler Farm. With an existing buffer along the irregular banks of the ditch at the bottom of the field, the woodchip bioreactor was able to be sited at the field’s edge, taking no acres out of production. Additionally, with the difference in topography from the field upstream, the bioreactor could be designed in a “set it and forget it” fashion without any drainage impacts to the field’s end rows. Finally, the practice aligned with the conservation goals and innovative approaches of the landowner, Ethan Koehler, who is continually in pursuit of on-farm improvements and collaboration.

Illinois LICA would like to thank Joe Streitmatter and the Streitmatter Land Improvement crew for completing the woodchip bioreactor installation on behalf of the Association, as well as all the partners and volunteers involved with the project and the field day. Thank you also to River Valley Pipe,  Agri Drain, Xylem, and Martin Equipment of Illinois who supported the installation with donated and discounted materials and equipment. Additional construction and field day photos may be found online at:

https://www.illica.net/projects.