Field Notes
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...
Considerations for Overwintering Barley
As farmers emerge from winter and go about spring field activities, those who use cover crops are also evaluating their stands for success in establishment and overwintering. This year we are seeing more instances of certain species not overwintering as well as we might like. Barley is a winter cereal grain that has seen increased interest as a cover crop...