Recent News
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...
Balancing Management with Profitability: Impacts of Tillage and Nutrient Management on Soybean Performance in the Midwest
As spring approaches, many in the Illinois ag community are thinking about soil moisture, or lack thereof, with approximately two-thirds of the state under moderate to severe drought conditions as of February 3. Although we still have at least a couple months for spring rains to come before most farmers in the state will be thinking about planting, current conditions...
Leveraging Ag Retail for Successful Conservation Programming
Ag retail is an integral part of the local agriculture supply chain, providing the products, services, and advice that farming operations rely on. Given this relationship, ag retailers can be an incredible ally in conservation efforts, but it’s important for conservation ag professionals to understand how and when to bring them into a project and how best to support them....
Communicating Edge-of-Field Practices: Turning Awareness into Action
Communicating Edge-of-Field Practices: Turning Awareness into Action The Illinois Conservation On-Farm Network (ICON) hosted Dr. Jacqueline Comito from Iowa State University and Scott James from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the final webinar of 2025. Guest speakers shared research and practical tips for effectively communicating about edge-of-field (EoF) practices. Edge of Field Practices – Essential, but Under-utilized Across...
Soil Health Leadership Program Graduates 19 Trainees
On December 10th, 2025 in Bloomington, Illinois, ISAP hosted the final Soil Health Leadership Program (SHLP) session and proudly celebrated the accomplishments of 19 outstanding individuals—farmers, advisors, and conservation professionals—who completed SHLP. Over the past 18 months, these individuals traveled across Illinois to participate in intensive, hands-on sessions dedicated to advancing their soil health knowledge. Participants...