Soil Health Journey

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An Introduction to Soil Health Practices

ISAP’s Introduction to Soil Health Practices identifies and explains the cause of several conditions that often lead to common resource or agronomic concerns for farmers, including erosion, compaction, weed pressure, and nutrient loss. Featuring the experiences of six Illinois farmers and referencing scientific research throughout, ISAP offers practical solutions that will address these common concerns while building soil health and supporting more resilient farming systems in Illinois. 

ISAP’s Introduction to Soil Health Practices highlights practical benefits that can be achieved by the adoption of conservation practices, focusing on practices that have potential for statewide application. resource concern.

Meet a Featured Farmer

Improving soil health is a journey, requiring commitment, patience, and perseverance. Some benefits can take place immediately, while others will require several years, as biological activity heightens and organic matter increases. All the farmers featured below have found success over time by starting small, identifying what worked best for their farm, and integrating conservation practices into their overall system.  

RCW58809

Conservation Practices Play an Integral Role on Douglas County Farm

Tony Stierwalt farms about 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans with his dad, Bill, in Pesotum, Illinois using strip-till, no-till, and cover crops in his system. Tony is the fifth…