Recent News
PatternAg seeks cooperators to evaluate soil microbe populations across management systems
PatternAg seeks cooperators to evaluate soil microbe populations across management systems By: Megan Baskerville | Illinois Ag Program Director, The Nature Conservancy | ISAP Chair ISAP member, The Nature Conservancy, has invested in PatternAg and other emerging technologies to scale conservation adoption. Before the 2022 planting season kicks off, PatternAg, a soil microbiome analysis company, is seeking cooperators to join...
Long-term study shows constructed wetlands provide meaningful water quality and wildlife benefits on Central IL farm
Aerial view of the Franklin Research and Demonstration Farm. The three constructed wetland complexes are visible, along with other conservation practices used on the farm (woodland savanna, prairie restoration, floodplain wetlands, grassed waterways, and buffers). Photo by Tim Lindenbaum. Long-term study shows constructed wetlands provide meaningful water quality and wildlife benefits on Central IL farm By: Adrienne Marino |...
Partner Spotlight: Precision Conservation Management
Precision Conservation Management Welcomes New Director Precision Conservation Management (PCM) has hired Greg Goodwin to serve as their new Director. Goodwin will direct and oversee the PCM program, which includes overseeing daily operations, business development, grant reporting, and budget analysis. PCM is a free service created by farmers for farmers that combines precision technology and data management with farm business...
Midwest Cover Crops Council Serves as Resource Hub for Cover Crop Enthusiasts
Last week, the Illinois Cover Crop On-Farm Network (ICCON) was joined by Anna Morrow, program manager with the Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC). The MCCC facilitates the widespread adoption of cover crops across 12 midwestern states and the province of Ontario by developing resources, building a network of professionals, and contributing to regional publications. Morrow provided an overview of the...
Approaching Deadline for STAR Field Enrollment
Approaching Deadline for STAR Field Enrollment By: Sarah Blount, Helen VanBeck, & Erin Gundy It’s that time of year again—the weather is cooler, harvest season has ended, and the Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (STAR) field form submission deadline is quickly approaching! Enrollment for the STAR 2021 crop year closes on January 31 — complete your field evaluation today to receive...
Prairie Strips Winter Webinar Series
Prairie Strips Winter Webinar Series By: Craig Ficenec, Sand County Foundation Much of Illinois was once covered in a diverse prairie ecosystem: wildlife thrived and water flowed clean. Today, recreating a small fraction of that native vegetation could move us toward our water quality and habitat goals, while improving farm profitability. Sand County Foundation, Pheasants Forever, and Iowa State University...