Recent News
Partner Spotlight: Illinois Soybean Association
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is excited to announce the return of the Better Beans series, which will return to in-person formats. The Better Beans event series brings local soybean knowledge specific to farmers’ regions, offering up the chance to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and conditions affecting them directly. Participants will receive agronomy insights for their soil, planting tips for...
Introducing Helen VanBeck
Introducing Helen VanBeck Author: Helen VanBeck I grew up far away from the corn fields, in the urban-sprawled, concrete-covered city that is Houston, Texas. During the summers, when my brothers and I would visit our grandparents in Iowa, proudly wearing our Hawkeye gear, I remember being mesmerized by the rows of corn we’d pass on our way in and out of town each day. In...
SMART Wetlands
SMART Wetlands Author: Jean McGuire, Field Outreach Specialist | The Wetlands Inititative What happens when soil, clay, plants, and water are combined using human engineering? Could this combination create smart outcomes for the landscape? Usually, there are concerns when several thousand cubic yards of soil are moved on Illinois croplands. However, in this case, it was done by design to...
The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast – NEW EPISODE
Tune in to Episode 43 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast – “Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy 2021 Biennial Report Update.” The episode features a summary of key points from the Biennial Report. Trevor Sample, the Agency Coordinator for the NLRS with Illinois EPA, provides a brief background on the NLRS, implementation and water quality findings from the 2021 Biennial...
The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast – NEW EPISODE
Tune in to Episode 42 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast – “Illinois Regenerative Ag Initiative.” The episode features a thoughtful discussion about the Illinois Regenerative Agriculture Initiative (IRAI) with guests Dr. Adam Davis, Professor and Crop Sciences Department Head at University of Illinois, and Dr. Emily Heaton, Professor of Crop Sciences at University of Illinois and Director of...
New “Soil Health Check Up” Video Series
A new three part video series called “Soil Health Check Up” was recently co-created and released by Dr. Stacy Zuber, Illinois State Soil Health Specialist with NRCS, and Jennifer Jones, Extension Watershed Outreach Associate with University of Illinois Extension. Each video describes and demonstrates at-home soil health tests that farmers, landowners, or homeowners could use to visually assess the health of...