Recent News

Leaders in Soil Health Multiply Statewide Outreach Efforts

The Soil Health Leadership Program helps farmers, retailers, crop advisors, and conservation professionals improve their understanding of soil health principles and the production management changes needed to maximize on-farm benefits of soil health systems. Over the course of 18 months, participants study soil structure and function, selection, seeding techniques, and termination methods for cover crop management, and communication and outreach...

Henry County Farmer Installs Woodchip Bioreactor to Maximize Conservation Impact

https://youtu.be/NppasqX5o98   “Conservation has always been a part of what my family's done, so that's kind of always been part of my DNA,” shares Brian Corkill who grows corn and soybeans on 1,000 acres near Galva, Illinois.  Brian’s family moved away from the moldboard plow in the late 1970s and began no-tilling in the early eighties. “So now I'm trying...

Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership To Host 2024 Risk Management Conference

The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) brings together diverse member organizations who work collaboratively to encourage the adoption of sustainable and profitable production practices that improve soil health and restore local waters. Registration is now open for the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership’s (ISAP) third biennial Risk Management Conference (RMC), taking place on Zoom from 9-10:30am on August 1st, 8th, and...

ICCON Discusses NLRS Challenges and Feasibility of Achieving Interim Goals

During the January ICCON call, the network had the pleasure of hosting Adrienne Marino, Water Quality Program Manager at the Nature Conservancy in Illinois. Marino shared a comprehensive overview of the 2023 Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) Biennial Report, shedding light on the state's progress and challenges. The NLRS was initiated in response to the 2008 Gulf Hypoxia Action...

Champaign County Farm Recognized for Dedication to Land Stewardship

The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) was a proud sponsor of the 2023 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award, an award program sponsored by the Sand County Foundation that recognizes and celebrates extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation by agricultural landowners.  Rademacher Farms was selected as a 2023 Leopold Conservation Award Finalist in Illinois. Frank Rademacher farms about 600 acres with his dad, Eric,...

Four Decades of No-Till is Paying Off for Vermilion County Farmer Jean Stewart

The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership was a proud sponsor of the 2023 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award, an award program that recognizes and celebrates extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation by agricultural landowners. The profile of 2023 Award Finalist, Jean Stewart, below was originally published by American Farmland Trust and can be viewed on their website.    https://youtu.be/EWWAdGGK780?si=GI2ZVKvXqq6mdgtd “A good farmer is a...