The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership’s recent publication, “An Introduction to Soil Health Practices,” clearly communicates the role of soil health practices in addressing agronomic challenges and resource concerns. Join co-authors Torey Colburn, Conservation Agronomist with American Farmland Trust, and Frank Rademacher, Conservation Agronomist with The Nature Conservancy and Champaign County Farmer, as they provide an…

This Soil Health Week presentation will explore the connections between soil health and mental health – emphasizing that in order to have healthy, vibrant farms we need healthy, thriving farmers. We will explore existing resources for farmers and farm families navigating farm stress related to running a successful farming operation including financial uncertainty, familial conflict,…

Agricultural carbon markets and programs continue to change rapidly, with corporations increasingly using purchase of carbon credits to meet their sustainability goals. Farmers utilizing “climate-smart practices” like reduced tillage or no-till, cover crops, and nitrogen management can generate carbon credits and reap financial benefits; however, among the many agricultural carbon market programs there are significant…

American Farmland Trust (AFT) provides technical assistance to farmers and landowners to transition portions of subprime farmland to produce perennial bioenergy crops like switchgrass, miscanthus, and native prairie mix. Marlee Giacometti is a program associate at AFT and a member of the Perennial Bioenergy Crop Diversification project team in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. In…

Illinois dairy farmers are committed to being good stewards of the land and one aspect of good stewardship is maintaining optimal soil health. Join us for a virtual lunch ‘n learn discussion focusing on conservation practices used by two Illinois dairy farms and learn how those practices positively impact soil health. Jim Isermann, soil health…