Listen and watch! Miss the CRP training or S.T.A.R. Holiday Webinars? No problem, we’ve got you covered! We have posted links here for later viewing! CRP Training Webinar | NRCS | 12-16-20 CRP Training Webinar | SWCD | 12-16-20 S.T.A.R. Holiday Webinar | 12-17-20   Continue reading→

Successful Farming: Carl Zimmerman in Earlville, Illinois, farms 1,600 acres of corn and soybeans on land that his father began farming in 1966. Over time, the Zimmermans have increased their acres (his father started with 350), raised cattle and hogs, and built up the soil through cover crops and no-till management. “What got us started... Continue reading→

AISWCD, in partnership with Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (S.T.A.R.), is hosting a 1-hour webinar on Thursday, December 17th from 1-2:00pm. The webinar will provide attendees with highlights from the Crop Year 2019 Annual Report, sneak peaks of upcoming S.T.A.R. incentive pilot programs, and updates to the S.T.A.R. Progressive Web Application that will bring greater user... Continue reading→

The outcomes of the 2020 Presidential and Congressional elections will undoubtedly have a great influence over conservation, agriculture and natural resource policy over the next two years. While in most elections, Americans could wake up the next morning knowing who controls Congress and the White House, this election is certainly an outlier due to a... Continue reading→

AISWCD supports “No-Till November”, an annual campaign organized by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service that encourages farmers to “leave the stubble” after harvest by not disturbing the soil and allowing it to recuperate during the winter months before the next growing season. The benefits of this conservation practice are numerous and include; reducing erosion... Continue reading→

Nick Longbucco has been named coordinator of the Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources initiative. He will be working with conservation districts in Illinois and other partners to grow the program and support farmers in their conservation journey. A strong proponent of soil health and nutrient management practices, Longbucco has experience collaborating with farmers, government agencies and... Continue reading→

Today, the Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (STAR) initiative introduced Nick Longbucco as its new fulltime Coordinator. Longbucco will be engaging with Conservation Districts and other partners to grow STAR and support farmers in their conservation journey. A strong proponent of soil health and nutrient management practices, Longbucco has experience collaborating with farmers, government agencies and... Continue reading→

In the lead up to Climate Week (September 21-27, 2020), the breakfast cereal giant has shared how its collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to expand its Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (S.T.A.R.) initiative in Illinois is paying off. Read the full story by clicking HERE.

The Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) this week announced Dale Shumaker, chairman of the Pulaski-Alexander County Soil and Water Conservation District, was elected vice president of the association. Elections were conducted during the association’s virtual annual meeting earlier this month.   Read the full story at the Southern Illinoisan. Continue reading→

Fall covers for spring savings! The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is offering farmers that plant cover crops a $5/acre discount on their crop insurance bill. IDOA’s Cover Crop Premium Discount Program is offered for acres of cover crops installed outside of state and federal program incentives (e.g., EQIP, CSP and state cost share). IDOA... Continue reading→