Our friends at the Agroecology + Innovation Matters initiative featured the Champaign County Soil & Water Conservation District’s efforts in creating STAR (Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources) in a series of articles and videos.
Click links for a story on the history of STAR, feature on some of the STAR creators, and a quick overview of STAR; with accompanying videos on Steve Stierwalt and Joe Rothermel as well as STAR board member Kris Reynolds.
Follow-up stories are in the works. To stay abreast subscribe to AIM’s newsletter, follow social media (Facebook – X – Instagram – LinkedIn – YouTube), or check AIMillinois.org.
Follow STAR at STARillinois.org or socials (Facebook – X – LinkedIn).
Through a state/federal leveraged funded Capacity Building Initiative between the State of Illinois Department of Agriculture and the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS) the AIM project was initiated. Collaborating with NRCS field offices, soil and water conservation districts, producers, and landowners across the state, the initiative’s 40 Conservation Planners and Coordinators aim to enhance soil health, reduce nutrient loss, maintain clean waters, and bolster the advancement of best conservation practices.
The project’s team of 40 Conservation Planners and Program Coordinators strive to communicate best practices stories and provide educational resources for our community. AIM empowers producers and landowners to explore agroecology and innovative infield and edge of field practices like cover crops, conservation tillage, vegetated buffers, grassed waterways, prairie strips, and constructed wetlands.
Complete a questionnaire at STARfreetool.com/get-started and be a part of shaping the future of sustainable agriculture via cover crops and conservation practices.
Use the confidential STAR tool to share your conservation practices. You will get a personalized Conservation Improvement Plan for your field, and contribute to conservation agriculture insights. Your voice matters and your example is invaluable. 2023 deadline is January 31, 2024.
