Network of Practitioners

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Cultivating a network of agriculture and conservation professionals amplifies ISAP’s ability to work with farmers across the state. By creating opportunities for networking and peer-to-peer learning, ISAP leverages the collective expertise that exists within Illinois agriculture to advance our shared goals of improving soil health and reducing nutrient loss. 

Cover Crop Cocktails Summer Series (1)

Illinois Cover Crop On-Farm Network (ICCON)

ISAP convenes cover crop specialists from across Illinois and the broader Midwest region for monthly discussions to explore new research, troubleshoot field conditions, and provide updates on policies and programs related to cover crops. Engaging with presentations by experts, researchers, and industry leaders, our ICCON calls provide an opportunity to share knowledge and network with a strong community of cover crop enthusiasts.

To stay up to date on upcoming calls, receive follow up notes and call recordings, and stay in touch with the ICCON Network, please join our google group. If you have any trouble accessing the group or would like to suggest a topic for an upcoming call, please email hello@ilsustainableag.org

Throughout the summer, ICCON will host a four-part series, Cover Crop Cocktails, exploring cover crop mixes designed to support your specific goals. Whether you want to provide additional wildlife habitat, improve compaction issues, or reduce pressure from weeds, the Cover Crop Cocktail series will feature suggestions, research, and resources to help you build a cover crop mix that works best for you!

Join an upcoming ICCON call:

Read about past ICCON calls:

Cover Crop Mixes for Wildlife Habitat and Biodiversity

By ISAP Coordinator | September 20, 2023

On September 13, 2023, ICCON was joined by Tyson Seirer from STAR Seed, an independent seed supplier based in Osborne, Kansas. Tyson helps growers access the unique seed resources at…

Cover Crop Solutions for In-Field Concerns

By Torey Colburn | August 15, 2023

On August 9, 2023 ICCON was joined by Bethany Bedeker, Cover Crop Education Specialist in the Center for Regenerative Agriculture at the University of Missouri at Columbia. Bethany focused on…

Rate Calculations for Cover Crop Mixes

By Torey Colburn | July 19, 2023

On July 12th ICCON was joined by Chase Brown of Brown Seed Sales in Central Illinois to discuss the considerations and mechanics of rate calculations in multi-species cover crop mixes.…

ICCON Summer Series Kicks Off With Discussion on Mixes Following Wheat

By Torey Colburn | June 22, 2023

On June 14, 2023 ICCON kicked off our four-part summer series, Cover Crop Cocktails. The series will feature information on how to design cover crop mixes to address specific goals,…

ISAP Partners Offer Policy Updates to Illinois Cover Crop On-Farm Network

By Rachel Lechuga | May 12, 2023

On April 12th ICCON was joined by Corey Lacey, Public Policy Manager with the Illinois Soybean Association (ILSA), and Dylan Cook, Midwest Policy Manager with American Farmland Trust (AFT), to…

Central Illinois Farmers Share Cover Crop Termination Techniques

By Torey Colburn | April 6, 2023

During ICCON’s March cover crop call, the Network hosted a panel of cover crop farmers who shared their strategies for cover crop termination and how covers are used as a…

Berseem Clover Provides Cover Benefits and Forage Opportunities

By Torey Colburn | March 14, 2023

On February 8th, the Illinois Cover Crop On-Farm Network (ICCON) was joined by Dr. Kim Cassida, Extension Specialist for Forages and Cover Crops for Michigan State University to discuss Berseem…

Maximizing Camelina’s Potential as an Overwintering Cover Crop

By ISAP Coordinator | January 25, 2023

The Illinois Cover Crop On-Farm Network (ICCON) continued their four-part winter series exploring new and emerging cover crops in January with a presentation on Camelina.  This month, Dr. Joel Gruver,…

Illinois Researchers Develop CoverCress to Meet Sustainable Aviation Fuel Goals

By ISAP Coordinator | January 6, 2023

The Illinois Cover Crop On-Farm Network (ICCON) continued their four-part winter series exploring new and emerging cover crops in December. ICCON was joined by Dr. Win Phippen, Professor of Plant…

Balansa Outperforms Other Clovers in Spring Biomass Growth

By Torey Colburn | December 7, 2022

The Illinois Cover Crop On-Farm Network (ICCON) kicked off their four-part winter series exploring new and emerging cover crops on November 9th. ICCON was joined by Nathan Johanning, Commercial Agriculture…

Alphabet Soup

ISAP’s Alphabet Soup program provides training and networking opportunities for agronomists, researchers, educators, conservation practitioners, and industry partners. Events include workshops, webinars, and happy hours where members explore issues, discuss strategies and program needs, and share resources related to nutrient loss reduction and conservation practices. If you are interested in joining the next Alphabet Soup gathering, please fill out the request form below.   

ISAP Specialist Network

In line with ISAP’s train-the-trainer philosophy, individuals who have completed training with ISAP are asked to share information with farmers and others in their network and their community. Crop advisors, agency staff, and individual farmers are all available to share what they’ve learned at local field days and through one-on-one consultation. Utilize our interactive Conservation Story Map to find a specialist near you.  

Resources

Access a variety of resources to help build your network.