A second chance to see a smart, hard-working and good-looking wetland!

The silver lining to the June 29 derecho was the much-needed rain it brought with it. The wetland was nearly dry, but two weeks later was once again filled with water and working hard at removing nitrates and phosphorus. Photo taken June 13, 2023.

Henry, IL – If you missed the June 29, 2023, field event held near Henry to see and learn about a Smart Wetland, you have another chance to see it. Due to the derecho that hit Marshall County, the Marshall-Putnam Soil and Water Conservation District (M-P SWCD)and the Wetlands Initiative (TWI) had to cancel the evening session of the field event. Therefore, we have rescheduled the evening event for 4 to 7 pm on Thursday, August 17, 2023.

Visitors can visit the ag tile-treatment wetland and talk with the farmer, Rex Newton, and the wetland designer, Jill Kostel. In addition, a series of displays will explain how TWI develops an ag-tile treatment wetland, how wetlands remove nitrogen and phosphorus, and how effective Smart Wetlands are at removing nitrate from ag-tile drainage water. Finally, there will be the opportunity to enjoy the pollinator habitat surrounding the wetland. We also plan on some of our ag and conservation partners joining us.

Smart Wetlands are precisely located and custom-designed constructed wetlands to fit within today’s farming operation and tile-drainage system to remove nutrients. This wetland was constructed in September 2021 and is now fully operational. M.K. Farm Drainage Specialists built the 1.83-acre wetland at McCuskey Farms under the direction of the M-P SWCD and TWI through their Smart Wetlands program. Martin McCuskey owns the land, and Rex Newton farms it.

The Smart Wetland site is located west of Henry, IL, near the intersection of Marshall County Road 500 East and County Road 1400 North, along the Scholes Branch Creek. The location map, is provided below.

The red dot on the map above is the site of the recheuled field day set for August 17, 2023 in Marshall County. The event will run from 4 to 7 pm. Parking is available on site.

Driving directions to the location

From the East thru Henry, IL
Drive west on Western Ave, (County Road 1300 N) about 7 miles
Turn right (north) onto Yankee Lane (Country Road 500 E) about 1 mile
Turn left (west) onto County Road 1400 N and travel approximately 2 miles to
Turn right onto County Road 500 E and follow the signs to the event entrance

From the South via State Highway 29
Take Highway 29 to County Road 1100 North – ( you will pass thru Henry)
Turn left onto 1100 North and drive approximately 14 miles
Turn right onto County Road 500 E and follow the signs to the event entrance

From the North via State Highway 29
Take Highway 29 southbound thru Putnam to County Road 1100 North (this road is just north of Henry)
Turn right onto 1100 North and follow that road for about 14 miles
Turn right onto County Road 500 E and follow the signs to the event entrance

Check out a wetland that is Smart, hard-working and good-looking!

June 26, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Henry, IL -- You can visit one of the newest Smart Wetlands in Marshall County this Thursday, June 29, 2023. The wetland is loaded with vegetation and primed to remove nitrates and phosphorus from ag-drainage tile water. The surrounding prairie is in bloom, with multiple species thriving despite the dry conditions. The public is welcome to attend two sessions.

Marshall County Smart Wetland, June 24, 2023

The first is from 11 am – 2 pm for farmers, farmland owners, and agribusiness professionals wanting to reduce nutrient loss from cropland. Participants will be able to tour the wetland and the surrounding prairie and learn why this conservation practice is essential to improving water quality in Illinois. A free ribeye sandwich lunch will be served at noon, with presentations on various sustainable agriculture practices. Those speaking include: Jim Isermann, Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership, and Dr. Jill Kostel, The Wetlands Initiative (TWI), talking about various resources available for farmers wanting to reduce nutrient loss from their farms; Kyle Maple, U.S. Agriculture, explaining how those investing in agriculture are demanding more sustainable ag practices; and Dylan Cook, American Farmland Trust, will provide an update on the progress to get a new Farm Bill passed this year.

Later from 4–7 pm, the public, conservation professionals, and hunters are encouraged to attend. This session will focus on how native marsh vegetation in and around a Smart Wetland can provide habitat for wildlife, waterfowl, pollinators, and recreational opportunities for landowners on their property. Staff from Marshall-Putnam Soil and Water Conservation District (M-P SWCD), TWI, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, among others, will be on hand to answer questions. Snacks and drinks will be served.

Smart Wetlands are precisely located and custom-designed constructed wetlands to fit within today’s farming operation to remove nutrients. This wetland was constructed in September 2021 and is now fully operational. M.K. Farm Drainage Specialists built the 1.83-acre wetland at McCuskey Farms under the direction of the M-P SWCD and TWI through their Smart Wetlands program. Martin McCuskey owns the land, and Rex Newton farms it.

The Smart Wetland installation site is located west of Henry, IL, near the intersection of Marshall County Road 500 East and County Road 1400 North, along the Scholes Branch Creek. Additional information about the field day will be available at: https://www.smartwetlands.farm/smartwetland5.

This event is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number 2022-38640-37486 through the North Central Region SARE program under project number LNC22-465. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Driving Directions to June 29, 2023, Field Day

The Smart Wetland installation site is located west of Henry, IL, near the intersection of Marshall County Road 500 East and County Road 1400 North, along the Scholes Branch Creek. To ensure you easily get to the field day, here is a Google Maps link, driving directions, and a map.

The red dot on the map above is the site of the June 29, 2023 Marshall County Smart Wetland field day. Two sessions will be held. The first from 11 am to 2 pm and later that day from 4 to 7 pm.

See How a Smart Wetland Reduces Excess Nutrients from Illinois Waters at June 29, 2023 Field Day

Marshall County, IL -- Two years ago, this Marshall County farm field looked like most of Illinois’ 12 million acres of tile-drained cropland. But, in September 2021, a local contractor moved over 6,000 cubic yards of earth to create a Smart Wetland. You are welcome to see the resulting tile-treatment wetland at a field day on Thursday, June 29, and learn about the wetland’s naturally occurring processes that break down the nitrate in the ag tile drainage before the water flows into nearby water bodies. The entire field day news release is available here.

Photo of constructed wetland near creek in Illinois crop field — The Smart Wetland installation site is located west of Henry, IL, near the intersection of Marshall County Road 500 East and County Road 1400 North, along the Scholes Branch Creek.