Field Notes
Recapping Modern Approaches to Conservation Drainage Design
Expanding the adoption of edge of field (EoF) conservation drainage practices, including saturated buffers, bioreactors, drainage water management systems, and constructed wetlands, depends heavily on having trained professionals who can design and deliver them to interested landowners. To help build this crucial technical capacity, ISAP hosted a two-day workshop, Modern Approaches to Conservation Drainage Design, in Danville, IL in early...
What Social Science Reveals About Conservation Adoption
What influences whether conservation practices are adopted, and what does that mean for reaching nutrient loss reduction goals? This April 2026, the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership Science Committee was joined by Chris Morris, rural sociologist and postdoctoral researcher at Iowa State University and soon-to-be faculty at Kansas State University, to discuss how social science can help answer these questions. Drawing...
Leaders in Soil Health Multiply Statewide Outreach Efforts
The Soil Health Leadership Program helps farmers, retailers, crop advisors, and conservation professionals improve their understanding of soil health principles and the production management changes needed to maximize on-farm benefits of soil health systems. Over the course of 18 months, participants study soil structure and function, selection, seeding techniques, and termination methods for cover crop management, and communication and outreach...
An Introduction to Carbon Intensity Scoring
Estimated contributions to carbon intensity of corn (Image credit: Preston Brown, incite.ag) What is carbon intensity and what does it mean for crop producers in Illinois? This January 2026, the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership Science Committee was joined by Megan Dwyer, Director of Conservation and Nutrient Stewardship at the Illinois Corn Growers Association and Preston...