UPCOMING EVENTS – AISWCD
AISWCD Summer Convention
July 21-22, 2025 in Springfield
UPCOMING EVENTS – SWCDs + Partners
Herbicide Strategy Workshop by Illinois Soybean Association
11am-noon on dates and locations listed
Madison County Farm Bureau Office in Edwardsville – Jan. 27
Will County Farm Bureau Office in Joliet – Jan. 28
Learn about the EPAs new herbicide strategy. This is your opportunity to gain insights into the latest regulatory updates. Together, we will ensure you have the tools and knowledge to set your operation up for success.
Details
Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit – University of Illinois Extension
10am-2:30pm Wednesday January 29
Highland Community College Student Conference Center in Freeport
- What we Know Today About Biologicals in Illinois Row Crops | Dr. Connor Sible
- Managing P & K to Optimize Corn Response to N in Northern Illinois Soils | Dr. John Jones
- Corn and Soybean Management Considerations for 2025 | Dr. Connor Sible
- Resistance, Mitigations, and Metribuzin: Aspects of Weed Management in 2025
Find details and register online
Following water from here … to there – Kane-DuPage SWCD Stream Diversion & Causeways workshop
8am-noon Wednesday January 29
Elgin Community College – Seigle Auditorium
This 22nd Annual Soil Erosion & Sediment Control Workshop will make your brain bigger with information, your circle bigger with an hour of networking, and your stomach bigger with bagels, pastries, fruit, and coffee.
$35 per person, earn 4 PDH credits, registration
Sponsored by Illinois Urban Manual and IEPA
Illinois LICA Convention & Members’ Meeting
January 29 – 31 – Champaign Registration
Registration
Trade Show – Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association
1pm-4pm Thursday + 9am-11am Friday January 30-31
Holiday Inn Champaign
ILICCA invites all to attend for free the trade show at their conference. For over 65 years, the trade show has been a cherished part of Illinois LICA’s Annual Convention & Members’ Meeting, which also features a fantastic lineup of educational seminars and entertainment. This year, Illinois LICA is thrilled to open their doors even wider, inviting the public to explore everything their vendors have to offer. Everyone is welcome—contractors, producers, landowners, agribusiness professionals, conservationists, and anyone interested in learning more about the industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute to the future of conservation in Illinois. Meet Industry Professionals: Engage with over 35 exhibitors from the land improvement and construction industries, including manufacturers and conservation partners focused on earthmoving, drainage, utilities, and more.
Convention information (plus registration details if you want to take part beyond the free trade show)
Dudley Smith Farm Winter Meeting Dudley Smith Farm Winter Meeting, University of Illinois Extension
9:00am-noon Tuesday February 4
at the Christian County Extension Office
Stay informed on current agriculture practices and the latest research taking place. Topics this year include:
• Cover crop management
• Grazing or harvesting cereal rye in corn-soybean rotations
• Local producer experiences with Precision Conservation Management
• Fertility management and water quality
Improving nitrogen use efficiency from field to watershed
Lunch will be provided.
Free, register by January 31.
Reach Farmers Faster: Communications Training from the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership
From 9am-1pm on these dates and locations
Effingham County Illinois Extension – February 5
Bloomington Illinois Farm Bureau – February 6
DeKalb County Farm Bureau – February 7
Environmental Initiative staff will use an Illinois-specific case study to guide you through their five-step process for creating conservation agriculture outreach. Learn how to set strategic goals, gain deeper insights about Illinois corn and soy farmers, develop persuasive messages, design engagement strategies and evaluate your approach – all through a range of hands-on group activities. Registration cost is $15. Food and drinks will be provided. Register at the links above.
Webinar series from the University of Wisconsin Extension
February 4: Updates and Insights on Wisconsin’s Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy
This webinar takes a broad look at nitrate leaching across Midwestern agroecosystems.
March 4: Nitrogen Balance: Reevaluating Crop Rotations for Cleaner Water in Wisconsin
What is nitrogen balance, and how can it reshape crop rotations
March 11: Neonicotinoid Insecticides: Widespread Use and Emerging Impacts on Agricultural Landscapes
This webinar examines the growing body of research on the unintended harms of neonics, their agricultural efficacy, and their prevalence in the environment.
March 18: TBD
Register
Cover Crop Coffee Shop – Edwards and Wayne SWCDs
8am-noon Thursday February 6
First Christian Church, 100 W. Center St., Fairfield
Breakfast served by Matt Kinney; plus nice give-aways throughout the event.
Guest Speaker Mike Wilson with Cover Crop Panelists Greg Dickey, Terry Taylor, Doc Roser and Jerry Seidel.
Webinar series from the University of Wisconsin Extension
February 4: Updates and Insights on Wisconsin’s Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy
This webinar takes a broad look at nitrate leaching across Midwestern agroecosystems.
March 4: Nitrogen Balance: Reevaluating Crop Rotations for Cleaner Water in Wisconsin
What is nitrogen balance, and how can it reshape crop rotations
March 11: Neonicotinoid Insecticides: Widespread Use and Emerging Impacts on Agricultural Landscapes
This webinar examines the growing body of research on the unintended harms of neonics, their agricultural efficacy, and their prevalence in the environment.
March 18: TBD
Register
Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District Annual meeting
Noon-2pm February 7
The Linden 224 Wheat Ave., Rantoul
Please join us for our annual review of our contributions to conservation agriculture & celebrating our mission to maintain soil & water quality in Champaign County! Featuring guest speaker Kurt Coffey, Vice President of Case IH North America. Meal and refreshments provided.
RSVP by January 31
Illinois Soybean Association 2025 Soybean Summit
Monday & Tuesday, February 10-11 at the I Hotel in Champaign.
We’re all connected and working hard to drive profitable production and sustainable solutions. Learn about the latest in agronomic practices, market outlooks and regulatory updates at Soybean Summit 2025.
Take advantage of this expanded, two-day event in person for actionable and practical production insights that will help maximize your return on investment, introduce you to global and domestic market opportunities, and engage your input on sound policies designed to protect your freedom to farm.
Register
Erosion & Sediment Control Workshop – Will/South Cook SWCD
10am Friday February 14
SWCD office, 1201 S. Gougar Road, New Lenox
Presentation from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for practices on construction sites and stormwater management. For county board members, land use departments, village planners/managers and contractors.
RSVP for lunch 815.462.3106×3 by February 10.
Free Contractors Breakfast – Washington & Clinton SWCDs
9-11am Wednesday February 26
Kaskaskia College Learning Center, Centralia
Contact Julie at Washington SWCD 618.327.8862
or Emily at Clinton SWCD 618.526.7919
Integrated Water Management Workshop for Farmers and Landowners – University of Illinois Extension
February 26-27 at the Farm Credit Illinois Regional Office in Mahomet
In times of changing environmental conditions, unmanaged drainage water with a lack of soil conservation practices can impact farm profitability and sustainability of agricultural operations. Workshop attendees will interact with university researchers as well as Extension and Natural Resources Conservation Service staff, learning how to improve water and nutrient management on their farms to enhance crop productivity while minimizing impacts on the environment.
Visit go.illinois.edu/IntegratedWater for full event details and registration.
Leadership for Midwestern Watersheds – Sand County Foundation
Feb 27-28 at Starved Rock
A popular forum for professionals who lead projects that reduce agricultural runoff in watersheds of the central United States. LMW is developing a “community of practice” to improve water quality with landowners, agencies, and businesses, one watershed at a time. The meeting series features presentations and facilitated discussions on subjects essential to successful watershed projects. Examples include: farmer engagement, geospatial planning tools, project financing, and water quality monitoring. To date, more than 600 attendees from 15 states have participated, including many watershed projects supported by state nutrient reduction programs and USDA-NRCS Landscape Conservation Initiatives.
Click for more details and registration
2025 Pond Seminar – Kendall & Grundy SWCDs
6pm Wednesday March 5
Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau, 4000 N. Division Street, Morris
Featuring IDNR Fisheries Biologist Seth Love, who talk about pond maintenance & care, managing excess nutrients, fish stocking rates and more. The evening will end with Q&A and a light dinner will be provided.
Free – Register to Nicole Schneider (Kendall SWCD) at kendallcountyswcd@gmail.com or Lauren Lenox (Grundy SWCD) at lauren.lenox@il.nacdnet.net for the meal count.
Integrating Cover Crops into Your Crop Rotation- Kendall County SWCD
5-6:30 Thursday March 6
Yorkville Public Library, 902 Game Farm Road, Yorkville
This workshop is designed for farmers and landowners interested in enhancing soil health and sustainability through the integration of cover crops. Learn from Jim Isermann, a local farmer and Soil Health Specialist with Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership. Jim will share about cover crop selection, planting & termination methods and tips for maximizing effectiveness. Network with fellow landowners, share experiences and learn from local farmers who have been successful in cover crop adoption. Whether you’re new to cover cropping or looking to refine your current practices, this event will provide valuable insights and practical tools to make your operation more resilient. Light food and refreshments will be provided. Join us and enter the raffle for a chance to win a meat bundle from a local business. Part of the state’s Soil Health Week celebrations.
Free – register by February 27 for meal count.
Annual Grazing Conference – Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition
1pm Tuesday, March 11 + 4:30pm Wednesday March 12 – Springfield
For graziers, farmers, lenders, landowners, extension and government personnel, educators, processors, conservationists and anyone interested in the future of land-use economics and profitability.
Register before 2/1 for early bird pricing
Farm Bureau Advantage Conference
March 14 & 15 East Peoria
Register by February 28
Check out the bootcamps offered by Farm Foundation. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or new to the farm – the courses are taught by industry leaders, academic researchers, and subject matter experts. Held at the foundation’s campus in Libertyville.
Topics . . .
• Production Ag Sector—components and trends of production agriculture and farm-level economics, increase understanding on how to make decisions about new practices and innovations.
• Climate Change ESG Goals—understand increasing role of soil health, sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and ESG for food packaging corporations and the implications.
• Food and Ag Policy—learn about government entities involved in food and agriculture policies, key legislation, and issues.
• Innovation and Investment—understand the role investments in food and agriculture plays in advancing innovations and technologies, adoption rates and drivers, and why key innovations matter in food and agriculture.
• The Future of Food and Ag— wrap up by looking ahead into the future of food and agriculture, ongoing trends, and drivers of change, including consumer trends and their implications in both the food and agriculture sectors.
Register
Have an event to share!? Please format and email to info@aiswcd.org
Event Name: (Ex: AISWCD Fall Fling)
Event Date and Time: (Ex: 2-4 am Saturday October 1, 2050)
Event Location: (Ex: AISWCD Headquarters | 201 West Lawrence Ave, Springfield)
Description: Short overview of relevant information – topics covered, featured speakers.
Notes: Anything additional.
Register: RSVP, payment link, deadline, and whatnot.
See other event pages:
Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association
University of Illinois – Crop Sciences