This week, ISAP members gathered at Lakeland Community College for a full partner meeting where they discussed plans and priorities for 2027. The Partnership, which gathers in-person twice a year, reviewed achievements of 2026, including recruiting a new cohort of the Soil Health Leadership Program, launching a Batch and Build pilot program in Knox County, Illinois, celebrating women in agriculture at the Illinois State Fair, updating program information on the Financial Incentives Database (FIND Tool), and working with Practical Farmers of Iowa to bring the Cover Crop Business Accelerator program to Illinois.
Representatives from individual organizations provided updates on priorities and upcoming initiatives in the new year, and the Partnership discussed opportunities to collaborate on similar efforts, showcase partner successes, and continue advancing the adoption of conservation practices across the state. Through a collaborative, interactive timeline building activity, the Partnership began developing the workplan for 2027.
ISAP members also discussed plans to continue growing the Partnership, which was first established with an MOU among five members in 2017 and has grown to become an independent 501c3 nonprofit with 18 contributing member organizations. As the breadth of programmatic work continues to develop, ISAP members expressed interest in more active membership recruitment to continue building towards a sustainable Illinois agriculture system that results in improved soil health, water quality, profitable and resilient farms, and thriving communities.
ISAP members tour FLASH farmer Bobby Orman’s farm outside of Mattoon, IL
Following the meeting, ISAP members visited Bobby Orman’s farm outside of Mattoon, IL to learn more about his diversified grazing operation and his role as a farmer leader in American Farmland Trust’s Farmer-Led Advances in Soil Health (FLASH) program. Bobby led a tour of his farm, showcasing his turnip, oat, and pea forage mix, and answered questions from ISAP members on his experience with transitioning to a conservation cropping system, navigating landowner / farmer relationships, and inviting other farmers to learn more about the benefits of conservation practices.
Through the winter, ISAP members will continue to collaborate on developing the Partnership’s 2027 workplan. If you’re interested in joining the discussion and supporting ISAP’s work as a member, learn more about the member application process here or reach out to hello@ilsustainableag.org with any questions.
