Recent News

Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership To Host 2024 Risk Management Conference

The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) brings together diverse member organizations who work collaboratively to encourage the adoption of sustainable and profitable production practices that improve soil health and restore local waters. Registration is now open for the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership’s (ISAP) third biennial Risk Management Conference (RMC), taking place on Zoom from 9-10:30am on August 1st, 8th, and...

GROW Network Discusses Effective Weed Management in new ICCON Summer Series

On July 10, 2024 ICCON was pleased to kick off the 2024 summer series “Weeds & Disease & Pests, Oh My!” by welcoming Emily Unglesby and John Wallace of the Getting Rid of Weeds (GROW) network to share information about what the GROW network is and an overview of the research GROW is conducting regarding the use and management of...

Farmers and Ag Professionals Cultivate Conversations on Edge-of-Field Practices

By Katie Holland, Emma Eldridge, Rachel Curry, and Nicole Haverback On June 25th, Illinois farmers, landowners, and agriculture professionals gathered at the Knox County Farm Bureau building in Galesburg for “Cultivating Conversations: How and Why Farmers Implement Edge-of-Field Practices.” The event was co-hosted by the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) and Illinois Extension, featuring a presentation from Catherine DeLong of...

PCM Highlights Profitability Over Yield in New Data Publication

ISAP member Precision Conservation Management (PCM) recently published their annual data book The Business Case for Conservation in the June issue of Prairie Farmer Magazine. This report highlights data gleaned from farmers in Illinois regarding the financial, agronomic, and environmental impact of in-field conservation practices. “Profitability trends for tillage, cover crops, and nutrient management can change from year to year, but...

Illinois Cover Crop Legislation: Insights from ICCON’s June Update

On June 12th ICCON was joined by Dylan Cook, Midwest Policy Manager with American Farmland Trust, Dr. Corey Lacey, Environmental Policy Manager with Illinois Soybean Association, and special guest, Dr. Michael Woods, Director of the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts. This trio provided the group with an excellent comprehensive update on various legislative issues and policy items...

Illinois Crop Consultant Discusses C:N Ratios of Cover Crops Ahead of Termination

In concluding the Illinois Cover Crop On-Farm Network's (ICCON) three-part series on soil health testing, David Kleinschmidt, owner of Progressive Agronomy Consulting in Illinois, shared valuable insights into how he uses the Haney Soil Health Test to guide crop nutrition programs for his clients, emphasizing a holistic approach that considers soil as a dynamic system. Working closely with his farmer...