Crops Information

Illinois EPA Regional Offices

Fertilizers are nutrients—most often nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium—that are added to the soil in order to aid in the growth of crops. However, excess nutrients from fertilizers can become an environmental hazard when water runoff from rain carries the nutrients into the water cycle.

For more information on fertilizers, please visit:

• USEPA “Nutrient Management and Fertilizer” : an overview by the United States Environmental Protection Agency of types of fertilizers.
• USEPA “Pesticide and Fertilizer Contamination” : Resources from United States EPA that detail the potential environmental hazards of farm runoff.
• USEPA “Nutrient Pollution Policy and Data” : A collection of tools compiled by the United States EPA concerning the topic of excess nutrients
• IDOA Fertilizer Regulations : Illinois Department of Agriculture has listed on its website regulations pertaining to fertilizers, as well as the tonnage of fertilizers used.
• “Keep It for the Crops-2025”: Advocacy campaign for best management practices as an alternative to regulation of fertilizer use

Pesticides are a either a solitary substance—or a mixture of substances—that are applied to crops in order to prevent crop damage from insects and other pests. To learn more about pesticides, please visit:

• USEPA “About Pesticides” : A basic overview of what pesticides are, provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency
• USEPA “Regulations: Pesticides”: A website with links to USEPA pesticide regulation information
• IEPA “Pesticides and Fertilizers” : Provides basic information about the benefits and risks of fertilizer and pesticide application, whether on the garden or on the farm.
• IDOA “Pesticides: Use and Misuse”: Information about pesticide use, provided by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The page also links to a variety of other resources, such as the registration form for pesticide use and the complaint form for pesticide misuse. 

EZregs will provide more detailed information on applications of regulations for livestock and crop farms, turfgrass and lawn care operations.  The site contains a variety of regulations related to environmental protection, safe use of agricultural chemicals, livestock facility construction, management, and sitting. Information pertaining to historic preservation and endangered species preservation are also included.

Nonpoint source pollution occurs when water run-off picks up pollutants and carries the pollutants to lakes, rivers, and groundwater. In agriculture, these pollutants are typically pesticides and excess nutrients from fertilizers. The NPS Control Grant Program—often times called Section 319, named in reference to Section 319 in the Clean Water Act—has grants available for those looking to implement corrective or preventative projects. For further information, please visit:

• Nonpoint Source web page: Resources providing more details about NPS
• IEPA “Nonpoint Source Pollution: What’s it All About?”: Quick overview of how NPS works
• Section 319 Nonpoint Source Livestock Projects: Examples of successful Section 319 agriculture grants. The relevant grant forms can be found on the IEPA’s website.

General NPDES Permit for Pesticide Application Point Source Discharges

Nutrient Management is the management of the amount, source, placement, form, and timing of the application of plant nutrients and soil amendments.

Waste Utilization is the use of agricultural waste, such as manure and wastewater or other organic residues, on land in an environmentally acceptable manner while maintaining or improving soil, air, water, and plant resources.