Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Cancer
    • Chemicals, Toxics, and Pesticide
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Radon
    • Research
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • Our Mission and What We Do
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Labs and Research Centers
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Organization Chart
    • EPA History

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Nutrient Pollution

Farmer Heroes Manage Nutrients On Farm

Nutrient pollution caused by high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus originates from many sources including, but not limited to, fertilizers and manure from agriculture and soil erosion.

Protecting clean water is essential to sustaining America’s agricultural way of life, and nutrient pollution threatens our economy, public health and quality of life. Fortunately, there are farmers who are voluntarily adopting practices to minimize nutrient runoff from their operations. These farmer heroes are providers of America's food supply and stewards of their local water resources.

The farmers have been identified by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and EPA for implementing specific best management practices to reduce pollution while also improving or sustaining their profits, soil quality and/or yields. We celebrate these farmer heroes who are making a difference to improve America’s water resources and invite you to read their stories.

  • Keeping the creek on the family farm flowing and clean makes good environmental and financial sense.
  • Central Illinois farmer manages nitrogen use to lower costs, maintain yields and leave land in good shape for his children.
  • For Long Island farmers, fertilizer is key to saving money, reducing work, and protecting community.
  • Little Rock farmer helps minimize fertilizer runoff by cultivating interest in organic locally grown foods.
  • Farmer discovers how to protect his water and increase his bottom-line.
  • Why what happens in a little creek on my farm matters downstream.
  • Clean water is key to my family’s farming future.
  • What I’ve learned about protecting the privilege of farming.

Keeping the creek on the family farm flowing and clean makes good environmental and financial sense. Click to read.

Central Illinois farmer manages nitrogen use to lower costs, maintain yields and leave land in good shape for his children. Click to read.

For Long Island farmers, fertilizer is key to saving money, reducing work, and protecting community. Click to read.

Little Rock farmer helps minimize fertilizer runoff by cultivating interest in organic locally grown foods. Click to read.

Farmer discovers how to protect his water and increase his bottom-line. Click to read.

Why what happens in a little creek on my farm matters downstream. Click to read.

Clean water is key to my family’s farming future. Click to read.

What I’ve learned about protecting the privilege of farming. Click to read.

Nutrient Pollution

  • Basic Information
    • Sources and Solutions
      • Agriculture
      • Stormwater
      • Wastewater
      • Fossil Fuels
      • In and Around the Home
    • The Effects
      • Human Health
      • Environmental
      • Economic
    • Where it Occurs
      • Lakes and Rivers
      • Coasts and Bays
      • Ground Water and Drinking Water
      • Air
  • What You Can Do
    • In Your Home
    • In Your Yard
    • In Your Community
    • In Your Classroom
  • The EPA’s Efforts to Reduce Nutrient Pollution
    • 2022 Nutrient Reduction Memorandum
    • Ongoing Efforts
    • Previously Issued Policies and Documents
  • Data and Tools to Assist States, Tribes, & Territories
    • Nutrient Data
    • Surface and Source Water Tools
  • Learn about Numeric Nutrient Criteria
    • Programmatic Information
    • Technical Support for Criteria Development
    • State Progress Toward Adopting Numeric Nutrient Criteria for Nitrogen and Phosphorus
  • Research, Reports, & Other Resources
    • Research and Reports
    • Technical Resources
Contact Us about Nutrient Pollution
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on December 9, 2024
  • Assistance
  • Spanish
  • Arabic
  • Chinese (simplified)
  • Chinese (traditional)
  • French
  • Haitian Creole
  • Korean
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Tagalog
  • Vietnamese
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions
  • Site Feedback

Follow.