Recent News
Illinois Farmers Get Paid for Citizen Science Cover Crop Research
Cover crops are becoming increasingly popular as a key strategy for improving soil health, water quality, and climate resilience across a wide variety of farming systems. Many cover crop benefits depend on successful cover crop growth, or biomass. However, cover crop biomass can vary widely across farms because plant growth is influenced by multiple factors like climate, soil, and management...
Alphabet Soup Participants Develop Action Plans for Advancing Conservation
During ISAP's first convening of Alphabet Soup in 2022, over 60 conservation professionals, farmers, government agents, researchers, and industry representatives came together to talk about how behavioral science impacts their work in advancing conservation. Using eight cognitive biases that were identified in the Sand County Foundation report, “Making Conservation Conventional,” attendees participated in an interactive, task-oriented workshop which created opportunities...
Alphabet Soup Convenes Ag Professionals to Analyze Cognitive Biases
During ISAP's first convening of Alphabet Soup in 2022, over 60 conservation professionals, farmers, government agents, researchers, and industry representatives came together to talk about how behavioral science impacts their work in advancing conservation. Using eight cognitive biases that were identified in the Sand County Foundation report, “Making Conservation Conventional,” attendees participated in an interactive, task-oriented workshop which created opportunities...
Bring ISAP’s Rainfall Simulator to Your Next Field Day!
Bring ISAP’s Rainfall Simulator to Your Next Field Day! By: Pete Fandel | Professor, Agriculture | Illinois Central College Spring time is here again! The days are growing longer, flowers are beginning to bloom, and planning for summer field days is in full swing. Don’t miss your chance to make a splash at your upcoming event with ISAP’s Rainfall...
The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy – NEW EPISODE
Tune in to Episode 46 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast – “What You Need To Know About Carbon Markets.” The episode explores carbon markets, how to find out information about them, and how to take advantage of these programs on your farm. Jack McCormack, a Randolph County producer who is participating in carbon markets shares his insights. Jean Brokish,...
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...