Recent News

Connecting Ag Tile Drainage to Conservation

Over the span of a week in late August, three ISAP partners – the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association (IL LICA), The Wetlands Initiative (TWI), and Pheasants Forever Quail Forever Illinois (PFQF) - collaborated with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) to build two wetlands in northern Livingston County. Jill Kostel, The Wetlands Initiative (second...

ISAP Partners Offer Cover Crop Incentives

When properly managed, incorporating cover crops into a traditional crop rotation provides several benefits including reduction of nutrient loss, limited soil erosion, and improved water infiltration capability. Advancing the adoption of cover crops has been identified as a key strategy for Illinois agriculture to meet the goals established in the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS). Members of the Illinois...

ISAP Hosts Myth-Busting Risk Management Webinar Series

Throughout the month of June, the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) brought together experts on cover crops, tile drainage, and economics to tackle common myths in conservation cropping systems. The series was well attended with over 120 individual attendees representing 17 states/provinces across North America. Farmers, ag advisers, Extension staff, and non-profit conservation advocates had the opportunity to learn how,...

Farmers Grow Rye to Advance Regenerative Agriculture and Support Kentucky Bourbon

When people think of Kentucky, many things may come to mind: horse racing and fancy hats, large buckets of fried chicken, or even Kentucky bourbon!   Kentucky has a long and rich history of bourbon production, giving the state its claim to fame as the world’s bourbon capital. Bourbon is an agricultural product at its core, relying on high quality...

Partner Spotlight: The Wetlands Initiative

In honor of American Wetlands Month, ISAP is excited to introduce The Wetlands Initiative (TWI) as May’s Partner Spotlight. The Wetlands Initiative is a founding member of the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership and has been a leader in wetland restoration for over 25 years.   In addition to their ecosystem restoration work, TWI has become a national leader in the...

Illinois Cohort Adopts Planning Framework to Expand Conservation

Illinois Cohort Adopts Planning Framework to Expand Conservation Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership convenes cohort of Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework users to advance conservation principles while supporting healthy soils, clean water, and profitable farms. By: Adrienne Marino, Water Quality Project Manager, The Nature Conservancy   Using ACPF Tools to Meet Water Quality Goals In our work to build soil health and...