Kentucky Farmers to Benefit from PCM’s Conservation Grant

By Blake Jackson

Precision Conservation Management (PCM) has received a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to expand its program in Kentucky, focusing on promoting regenerative agriculture practices among corn, soybean, and wheat farmers.

The grant will enable PCM to work with farmers in central Kentucky to implement practices like cover crops, no-till, and optimized nitrogen fertilizer applications on over 100,000 acres over five years. This initiative aims to improve soil health, enhance water quality, and boost the profitability of farms.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) is actively supporting this effort by providing resources and hiring additional conservation specialists to assist farmers in implementing these practices.

This collaboration between PCM, the KDA, and other key stakeholders demonstrates a commitment to sustainable agriculture and the long-term health of Kentucky's agricultural community.

“We are just thrilled PCM received this grant award! Kentucky Corn has been involved with PCM since its inception, nearly a decade ago, because we know the importance of the information it provides farmers and the industry,” said Laura Knoth Executive Director of Kentucky Corn.

“We are proud to have played a role in connecting the dots to bring our distilling partners into this effort. It will be exciting to see farmers and end-users realize benefits from the grant as we demonstrate to the world how amazing our farmers are when presented with a challenge.”

PCM, initially launched by the Illinois Corn Growers Association in 2015, provides farmers with data-driven guidance on implementing conservation practices that are both environmentally beneficial and economically sound.

"We are thrilled to receive this support from NFWF," said Greg Goodwin, Director of PCM. "By expanding our reach in Kentucky, we can help more farmers adopt profitable conservation practices that benefit both their bottom lines and the environment."

This new funding will allow PCM to extend its proven approach to a wider range of farmers, promoting sustainable and profitable agricultural practices across the region.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-luc-pouliot