Field Notes
Cultivating Connections: Ag Professionals Come Together for Networking and Reflections on 10-Years of NLRS
Written by: Lisa Martin and Rachel Lechuga Very hot weather on Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair did not deter a dedicated group of conservationists from enjoying the opportunity to reflect on their hard work over the years in the conservation agriculture space. Attendees networked over a delicious meal, participated in fun trivia and face painting, and shared their...
Reducing Nitrate Loading Without Sacrificing Crop Yields
Soil nitrogen, in the form of nitrate, is highly soluble and held weakly to soil which can be a cause of concern for water quality when rain or irrigation moves nitrate below the root zone into tile lines or groundwater. Largely from fall applied nitrogen, asynchronous availability of plant N and uptake of N can result in high tile nitrate...
How Ag Advisors Guide Conservation on the Ground: Recap from ICCON’s Advisor Panel
Advisors play a pivotal role in helping farmers adopt in-field conservation practices. On July 9, ICCON explored the question, “what makes an advisor truly effective?” The panel discussion brought together three seasoned professionals to share their strategies and experiences. Meet the Panelists Aidan Walton – Conservation Specialist, Precision Conservation Management (PCM) Aidan works with farmers across seven counties in north-central...
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...