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Non-profit

Conservation Technology Information Center

Website:

www.ctic.org
Location:

West Lafayette, IN
Tax ID:

20-2730568
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2022):

Revenue: $1,014,987
Expenses: $834,058
Assets: $393,209
Type:

Environmentalist group
Formation:

1982
Executive Director:

Ryan Heiniger
Executive Director:

Revenue: $736,978
Expenses: $747,942
Net Assets: $326,164 21

References

  1. Conservation Technology Information Center Inc. Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990 – Part I). 2023.

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The Conservation Technology Information Center is a membership organization focused on agriculture and conservation. It shares information on climate-focused technology and agricultural practices, 1 provides networking and partnering opportunities for its members, and environmental advocacy opportunities as “part of a collective voice that advocates for conservation practices.” 2 The CTIC is supported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other government entities. 3

Background

The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) began in 1982 as the “Conservation Tillage Information Center,” a club focused on increasing no-till acreage in agriculture. Its founding members included chemical companies, equipment manufacturers, government agencies, and associations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was a founding member of the group, along with the National Association of Conservation Districts and the Soil Conservation Society of America. The Joyce Foundation provided a $50,000 grant to fund the CTIC, along with industry and government contributions. In 1986, the CTIC was renamed to the “Conservation Technology Information Center,” expanding its focus beyond soil to water and air quality. 4

Members

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the United States Department of the Interior, is a member of the Conservation Technology Information Center. 5

Other CTIC members include commercial organizations in the agriculture sector, advocacy organizations such as the Agricultural Retailers Association, the National Corn Growers Association, and the American Soybean Association, and nonprofit organizations such as the Conservation Ag Foundation, the National Association of Conservation Districts, and The Nature Conservancy. 6

Projects

The Conservation Technology Information Center organizes an annual tour for members that highlights conservation practices in action. 7

CTIC’s Conservation Connector Platform is a directory in development that connects farmers and ranchers to local services and conservation programs related to conservation agriculture practices. Supporters of this project include The Nature Conservancy, the Walton Family Foundation, and the United States Department of Agriculture. 8 9

The CTIC participates in the Farmers for Soil Health Program (FSH) which is managed by the National Corn Growers Association, the United Soybean Board, and the National Pork Board. The program is focused on expanding cover crops to enhance soil health. 10 Funding for FSH originated from a $95.4 million federal grant to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for “climate-smart corn and soy” and “farmer implementation/monitoring of climate-smart practices.” CITC received $2.5 million to enroll farmers in the program. 11

Along with the United States Department of Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program and the American Seed Trade Association, the CTIC conducts an annual survey of farmers that use cover crops to provide information on the benefits of cover crops and how they are managed. 12 13

Funding

The CTIC is supported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other government entities. 3

In 2023, the CTIC reported $736,978 in total revenue, approximately 44 percent of which was from government grants. 14

In 2023, $124,000 of its total revenue came from membership dues. 14

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a consistent donor to the CTIC. TNC is a large environmentalist conservation organization that also made contributions to the Appalachian Mountain Club, the National Audubon Society, Climate Solutions, Conservation International, the Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the National Wildlife Federation, the Public Policy Institute of California, and the Conservation Fund. 15

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is another large environmentalist organization that contributes to the CTIC. It is the nation’s largest private conservation foundation. 16 17

Leadership

As of 2025, Ryan Heiniger was the executive director of CTIC. He earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology and began his career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the United States Department of the Interior. In addition to being a part-time farmer, he held conservation-related roles with Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and America’s Conservation Ag Movement before joining CTIC in 2022 as executive director. 18 19

As of 2025, Adam Herges was the board chair of CTIC. He earned a master’s degree in applied plant science from the University of Minnesota. He has been a sustainability agronomist advisor with the world’s leading fertilizer company, Mosaic Company, since 2015 and is a board member of several agriculture and environment related organizations. 20

References

  1. “What We Do.” Conservation Technology Information Center. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.ctic.org/about/what_we_do
  2. “Unlock the Power of Membership with CTIC.” Conservation Technology Information Center. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.ctic.org/membership_pointer_128
  3. “Who We Are.” Conservation Technology Information Center. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.ctic.org/about/who_we_are
  4. Mike Lessiter. “40-Year-Old Conservation Tillage Information Center Gave Unified Voice for No-Till.” No-Till Farmer. November 6, 2022. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.no-tillfarmer.com/articles/12016-40-year-old-conservation-tillage-information-center-gave-unified-voice-for-no-till
  5. “Conservation Technology Information Center.” U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.fws.gov/partner/conservation-technology-information-center
  6. “Current Members.” Conservation Technology Information Center. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://ctic.org/membership/current_members
  7. “Conservation Technology Information Center’s Conservation in Action Tour.” Conservation Technology Information Center – Tour. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.ctic.org/tour
  8. “CTIC Launches Conservation Connector Platform to Help Producers Discover Local Programs and Service Providers.” CropLife. January 23, 2025. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.croplife.com/management/sustainability/ctic-launches-conservation-connector-platform-to-help-producers-discover-local-programs-and-service-providers/
  9. “Conservation Starts Here.” Conservation Technology Information Center – Projects. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.ctic.org/Connector
  10. “Farmers for Soil Health Program.” Conservation Technology Information Center – Projects. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.ctic.org/projects/FSH
  11. Parker Thayer. “DOGE and the Department of Agriculture’s “Climate Smart” Grants.” Capital Research Center. January 27, 2025. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://capitalresearch.org/article/doge-and-department-of-agricultures-climate-smart-grants/
  12. “SARE/ASTA/CTIC Cover Crop Surveys.” Conservation Technology Information Center. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.ctic.org/data/Cover_Crops_Research_and_Demonstration_Cover_Crop_Survey
  13. “National Cover Crop Survey Reports.” Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.sare.org/resources/national-cover-crop-survey-reports/
  14. Conservation Technology Information Center Inc. Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990 – Part VIII). 2023.
  15. Nature Conservancy. Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990 – Schedule I.) 2023.
  16. [1] National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990 – Schedule I.) 2023.
  17. “What We Do.” NFWF. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.nfwf.org/what-we-do
  18. “Ryan Heiniger.” Conservation Technology Information Center – Meet the Team. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.ctic.org/About/Staff/Meet_the_Team
  19. LinkedIn – Ryan Heiniger. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-heiniger-886b34152/
  20. LinkedIn – Adam Herges. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamherges/
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: September - August
  • Tax Exemption Received: July 1, 2005

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2022 Sep Form 990 $1,014,987 $834,058 $393,209 $56,081 N $183,700 $826,882 $17 $101,817 PDF
    2021 Sep Form 990 $644,898 $694,743 $303,168 $146,969 N $187,927 $453,176 $27 $120,000
    2020 Sep Form 990 $530,182 $646,403 $302,139 $96,095 N $148,440 $376,908 $97 $121,000 PDF
    2019 Sep Form 990 $1,085,686 $1,465,167 $407,900 $117,181 N $947,752 $134,200 $179 $54,128 PDF
    2018 Sep Form 990 $952,327 $883,649 $758,086 $87,886 N $793,404 $152,751 $1,085 $77,000 PDF
    2017 Sep Form 990 $929,317 $941,549 $776,519 $189,002 N $167,880 $761,097 $340 $77,000 PDF
    2016 Sep Form 990 $1,312,637 $1,344,600 $772,893 $173,144 N $640,754 $671,526 $357 $112,856 PDF
    2015 Sep Form 990 $1,194,832 $1,172,761 $838,549 $206,837 N $639,863 $554,507 $462 $106,532 PDF
    2014 Sep Form 990 $2,125,999 $1,840,022 $826,419 $216,778 N $1,351,678 $773,809 $512 $145,059 PDF
    2013 Sep Form 990 $1,014,031 $1,125,924 $449,682 $126,018 N $483,752 $529,870 $409 $133,692 PDF
    2012 Sep Form 990 $2,114,578 $1,935,461 $578,586 $143,029 N $1,386,301 $727,756 $521 $133,459 PDF
    2011 Sep Form 990 $1,133,381 $1,031,658 $425,338 $168,898 N $83,950 $1,048,801 $630 $108,398 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Conservation Technology Information Center

    3495 KENT AVE STE J100
    West Lafayette, IN 47906-4175