Recent News
Illinois Conservation On Farm-Network: Integrating Trees, Crops, and Nutrient Loss Strategies
On September 10th, our new and improved Illinois Conservation On-Farm Network (ICON) hosted MJ Oviatt and Kaitie Adams from the Savanna Institute. Oviatt is the organization’s Illinois Forestry Educator and Adams is the Demonstration Farms Director. The pair joined us to discuss the opportunities and benefits associated with incorporating agroforestry concepts and practices on traditional agricultural landscapes. Agroforestry can be...
Cultivating Connections: Ag Professionals Come Together for Networking and Reflections on 10-Years of NLRS
Written by: Lisa Martin and Rachel Lechuga Very hot weather on Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair did not deter a dedicated group of conservationists from enjoying the opportunity to reflect on their hard work over the years in the conservation agriculture space. Attendees networked over a delicious meal, participated in fun trivia and face painting, and shared their...
Reducing Nitrate Loading Without Sacrificing Crop Yields
Soil nitrogen, in the form of nitrate, is highly soluble and held weakly to soil which can be a cause of concern for water quality when rain or irrigation moves nitrate below the root zone into tile lines or groundwater. Largely from fall applied nitrogen, asynchronous availability of plant N and uptake of N can result in high tile nitrate...
Finding Your Network: How Farmers Build Support for Their Conservation Journey
On June 11, 2025 the Illinois Cover Crop On-Farm Network (ICCON) hosted a farmer panel discussion featuring Dan Kelley of McLean County, Ed Dubrick of Iroquois County, and Jeff O’Connor of Kankakee County. The purpose of this panel discussion was to learn about each farmer’s journey in conservation and to hear about their networks of support, such as other farmers...
Reap What You Sow: Economics of Adopting Cover Crops
Contributions by: Casey Kula, Greg Goodwin, and Jean Brokish Cover crops have been suggested as a reliable tool to help the State of Illinois achieve goals identified in the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS). In addition to acting as a nutrient scavenger, cover crops reduce soil erosion and provide carbon through biomass and root exudates that contributes to overall soil...
What’s New in Conservation Ag Policy?
On May 9th, the Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Partnership’s Policy Committee hosted a “Policy Round-Up" over Zoom entitled “What’s New in Conservation Ag?” The webinar included updates from individual ISAP members on their organization’s policy priorities and other updates of farm-related legislation at the state and federal level. To kick things off, Eliot Clay, executive director for the Association of...