The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs is facilitating three focus group sessions with producers to discuss the risks and benefits of cover crops for a multi-university/agency grant-funded research project. Food and drink will be provided. In addition, the first 20 participants to register at each location will earn a $100 Read more…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. USDA will accept nominations from May 7, 2024, to July 7, 2024. The 12-member Committee, which first convened in March 2022, is part of USDA’s efforts to Read more…
The Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts had more tree plantings this past week, including LaSalle and Champaign counties. After this year’s planting, 2,850 oak trees will have been planted in 65 savannas. The project is supported by the Forestry Development Council, University of Illinois Extension 4-H, The Read more…
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 Read more…
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 Read more…
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, Read more…
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. Read more…
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), Read more…
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 Read more…
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 Read more…