The Kane-DuPage County Soil & Water Conservation District planted oak trees for Earth Day, an extension of the AISWCD Forestry Committee project to plant oak savannas across the state. The local project was done in cooperation with the Friends of Dundee Natural Areas. Kane-DuPage is also celebrating its Oak Anniversary – 80 years – perfect... Continue reading→

Spring is in full swing and that means farmers and gardeners alike are in full gear to get fields prepared and seed beds planted, all while navigating the impact of weather patterns. On behalf of your friends and fellow conservationists here at the AISWCD, we wish you and your farm/garden conservation teams a safe and... Continue reading→

Inviting all SWCD directors and staff to seize the opportunity to engage with state legislators and statehouse staff Tuesday May 7, 2024 in Springfield to emphasize the crucial role Soil and Water Conservation Districts play in safeguarding our state’s vital natural resources: soil and water. Join the Illinois Soybean Association, University of Illinois Extension, American... Continue reading→

Dr. Michael Woods, executive director of the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts, shares a letter written to the Illinois Times regarding the March 28, 2024 story by David Blanchette on last month’s Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition’s Inaugural Grazing Conference, Grass is good for land, livestock and livelihoods. “When you’re unaware of another... Continue reading→

Trees are on their way to distribution, thanks to volunteers from the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts Forestry Committee, local Soil & Water Conservation District, and 4-H (from left) David McCormick (Brown County Soil & Water Conservation District), Jason Anderson (Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District), Curt Sinclair (Illinois 4-H), Ashley... Continue reading→

Dick Lyons, former Lincoln Land Community College and Illinois State University agriculture professor, was one of four founders of Illinois Soil Health Week. He was also the top corn and wheat producer (and fourth highest in soybeans) in Montgomery County during a census in 2018. Dick credits using no-till, cover crops, and other conservation practices... Continue reading→

Jeff O’Connor, a farmer in Kankakee County, with the Illinois Soybean Association, and a board member of national STAR (Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources) presented during Soil Health Week’s The Art and Science of Soil Health Advocacy in Action Day Thursday March 7, 2024 at the Illinois State Capitol:    The STAR rating system, although new to... Continue reading→

Frank Rademacher of The Nature Conservancy, who farms with his father in Champaign County, presents during Soil Health Week’s The Art and Science of Soil Health Advocacy in Action Day Thursday March 7, 2024 at the Illinois State Capitol:    We did not expect to go back to the farm. We kind of had an... Continue reading→

Dr. Michael Woods, executive director of the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts, was part of part of 2024 Soil Health Week at the Illinois State Capitol, He spoke both at Lobby Day Wednesday March 6 and The Art and Science of Soil Health Advocacy in Action Day Thursday March 7.   Dr.... Continue reading→

Steve Stierwalt, who serves with the Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District, spoke during Soil Health Week’s The Art and Science of Soil Health Advocacy in Action Day Thursday March 7, 2024 at the Illinois State Capitol. Stierwalt is one of the farmers who wondered how to encourage neighbors to prevent nutrient runoff from... Continue reading→