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→

Julie Hewitt of the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council 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:  I’m with the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council and pleased to be here on behalf of our board of... Continue reading→

The Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts is very excited to see what students are creating for this year’s poster contest theme May the Forest Be with You Always. As a new addition this year, NACD is introducing a Braille Poster Contest for students who are blind or with vision loss, and an Additional... Continue reading→