UPCOMING EVENTS – AISWCD
AISWCD Summer Convention
July 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS – SWCDs + Partners
JULIE Remote Ticket Entry Training
9am July 24
Making it more convenient for you to submit your own locate requests online and avoid potential delays on hold during peak times.
Register – free
Monmouth Research Center Agronomy Day
8:30am Wednesday July 24
Speakers include Gary Schnitkey, Caleb Wepprecht, Giovani Preza Fontes, Boris X Camiletti, and Nick Seiter. Topics covered will include economic outlook and trends, herbicide update, corn/soybean outlook, current diseases, and insect management.
Event info. Registration would be nice, but not required.
Illinois Agrivoltaics Field Day
9:30 am Wednesday July 24
University of Illinois Energy Farm, 4110 S Race St, Urbana
Recent idea combining solar panels for electricity generation with agricultural production to improve land use efficiency and farmer incomes. The SCAPES (Sustainably Collocating Agricultural and Photovoltaic Electricity Systems) project is a USDA-NIFA funded project studying agrivoltaics at three locations – Illinois, Arizona, and Colorado. The University of Illinois project focuses on the potential of combining agronomic crops such as soybeans, sorghum, and pasture crops with solar power generation. This field day will give attendees the opportunity to see an agrivoltaics system and to better understand the possibilities of combining agronomic crops with solar power generation to improve farmer’s economic incomes and resilience.
Kane-DuPage SWCD
Farmers Field Day: Row Crops Integrated with Pollinator Strips
8:30-11am Thursday July 25
Convene at Kane County Farm Bureau, 2N710 Randall Rd in St, Charles
Prairie strips, or CP 43, is a practice in the Conservation Reserve Program that protects soil and water while providing habitat for wildlife through the integration of native perennial plants into strategic locations within corn and soybean fields. Presenter Tim Youngquist, Iowa State ag specialist, will highlight conservation benefits and the history of STRIPS (Science-based Trials of Row Crops Integrated with Prairie Strips). Field day topics include prairie strip design, pollinators, roots and vegetation, soil retention, and water quality. FSA will be on hand for questions. Notes: This event is made possible by the generous contributions of Iowa State University and Chicago Wilderness Alliance. Thank you to the Kane County Farm Bureau for hosting and the Kane County Forest Preserve for their site tour.
Registration Deadline July 15
Field Crop Farmer Meet-Up
7:30-8:30 a.m. Thursday July 25
29053 1500 E St, Walnut
Join Practical Farmers of Iowa for donuts and a cup of coffee and talk with local farmers about cover crops, conservation practices on your farm, or the growing season in general. This casual get-together provides an opportunity for farmers to connect, share ideas, and troubleshoot challenges around the farm.
Free and open to the public.
University of Illinois Extension Annual Ewing Agronomy Field Day
9am Thursday July 25
Ewing Demonstration Center (Franklin SWCD)
The event will feature various educators and campus faculty as they provide best management practices for local growers. Lunch to follow.
Register online
Clinton County Farm Bureau Field Day
July 27 – Sugar Creek Valley Farms, 12555 Poettker Road, Aviston
Clinton Farm Bureau has supported a multi-component cover crop and manure management project — evaluating soil health, nutrient use efficiency and return on investment. The event will focus on sharing results from this year’s plot and providing information on how to get started with cover crops. In addition to hearing from several partners, Clinton Farm Bureau will host Jo Daviess Farm Bureau as part of a regenerative agriculture ideas exchange.
Register by July 22 to the Clinton Farm Bureau 618.526.7235
Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association Drainage Workshop
8am-2pm Tuesday July 30
Richland Community College in Decatur
For the latest information on the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, a deep dive on edge of field practices for tile drainage treatment, government and private cost share opportunities, WOTUS, and jurisdictional wetlands and determination information.
-Denitrifying Woodchip Bioreactors
-Saturated Buffers
-Constructed Wetlands
-Drainage Water Management
-Drainage Water Recycling
Free, includes lunch, register via PDF or online
Nutrient Stewardship Field Day – Will-South Cook SWCD + Will County Farm Bureau
3-6pm Wednesday July 31
Kiefner Farm – 25545 S. Cedar Road, Manhattan
Will County Farm Bureau and Will-South Cook Soil & Water Conservation District are partnering on a nutrient stewardship field day. The event will have additional nutrient management industry and research experts joining to share information on nutrient loss reduction practices, funding opportunities, and more. Speakers will include:
Raelynn Parmely, Environmental Program Manager, Illinois Farm Bureau
Andrew Margenot, Associate Professor, Crop Sciences, University of Illinois
Brett Roberts, State Conservation Agronomist, Illinois NRCS
Julie Hewitt, Nutrient Research and Education Council
Ken Ferrie, Crop-Tech Consultant
A meal will be provided after the presentation.
Please RSVP to Will County Farm Bureau at 815-727-4811 by Wednesday July 24
Webinar: Individual Plant Treatments to Control Woody Invasive Plants
July 31 – University of Illinois Extension
Explore the methods used for each of the individual plant treatment applications, tips and techniques for success, and common herbicides and tools used with these applications.
Register
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
Future Proof Your Farm: ISAP’s 2024 Risk Management Conference
9-10:30 am August 1, 8, 15 – Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership
Three, 1.5 hour webinar sessions designed to help farmers and advisors think beyond the management of next season, instead focusing on long-term, developing threats to farm status quo, and how conservation practice adoption can mitigate that risk.
Register
Illinois Windbreak Workshop + Field Tour
9am-5pm August 2 – Urbana
St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church/Sola Gratia Farm (AM) 2200 Philo Rd #8002
Savanna Institute Agroforestry Demo Farm (PM) 1349 County Rd 1900 E
Riggs Brewing Company (Happy Hour) 1901 S High Cross Rd
Windbreaks have an incredible list of benefits for farm ecosystems and production, but they’ve mostly disappeared from our agricultural landscapes here in Illinois. Adding them back into agricultural production systems can seem like a big lift, but local expertise and financial support are available to get hedgerows, shelterbelts, windbreaks, and fencerows back on the farm.
This will be a full-day event focused on illuminating this practice’s history, benefits, planning, funding, establishment, maintenance, and long-term success. Experts from NRCS, Savanna Institute, Canopy Farm Management, and other conservation and agricultural organizations will be present to be part of the discussion, answer questions, and help connect you to the resources you need to add windbreaks back on the farm.
Agenda (subject to change)
9:00am Welcome + Check In
9:15am Introductions+ Overview of the Day
9:30am Windbreak History, Successes, and Challenges
10:00am Windbreak Planning + Design
11:00am Participatory Design Activity
12:00pm Lunch + Fellowship
1:00pm Windbreak Cost-share + Technical Support
1:30pm Travel to Field Tour Site
2:00pm Windbreak Tour (Establishment, Maintenance, Renovation)
3:30pm Reflections + Closing
4:00pm Optional Happy Hour
5:00pm Event End
Registration and More Information
Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau Field Day
August 2 – First driveway south of 4629 IL-78 S., Stockton
Jo Daviess will share updates on several trials evaluating cover crop and nutrient management practices. This year’s program will include a regenerative agriculture ideas exchange and a panel of members from Clinton Farm Bureau Nutrient Stewardship Committee. The field day will also include updates from Andrew Margenot, University of Illinois associate professor of crop sciences.
Register by July 26th to the Jo Daviess Farm Bureau 815.858.2235
Nitrogen Use Efficiency Workshop
Aug 5-7, Monday-Wednesday
I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center, 1900 S 1st St., Champaign
Cover Crop Field Day
9:15am-2pm Thursday August 8
VFW, 511 VFW Street in Coulterville
Learn how cover crops can improve nutrient efficiency, aid in weed suppression and pest management, and increase productivity at a Cover Crop Field Day with in-field demonstrations & comparisons. Coffee, donuts, and presentations at VFW Hall before traveling to nearby farm for demonstrations, then back to the VFW Hall for lunch and final presentations).
Sponsored by American Farmland Trust – Midwest, ADM and Jackson, Perry + Randolph SWCDs
Free, but RSVP required by 7/26/2024 to either
Jackson 618-684-3471 x101 or jacksonswcd077@outlook.com
Perry 618-357-6016 x3 or marilyn.thompson@il.nacdnet.net
Randolph 618-443-4381 x3 or cheryl.houghlan@il.nacdnet.net
Fields of Gold: Economic Benefits of Adding Wheat to Your Rotation
8am-1:30pm Tuesday August 13
Roots Run Deep Farm, 857 E 300 North Rd, Hammond
Highlights . . .
• Building Soil Health with Wheat in the Rotation
• University of Illinois Wheat Breeding Program
• Wheat as a Cover Crop & Improving Water Quality Suitability of Double Cropping in a Changing Climate
• Farmer Panel with 3 Central Illinois Wheat Growers
• Lunch from Jo’s Country Diner
Register – Download flyer
Webinar: Woodland Restoration from Forests to Front Yards, Justin Vozzo, University of Illinois
August 14 – University of Illinois Extension
Illinois’ forests face numerous stressors, including invasive species, disease outbreaks, and shifting environmental conditions that have resulted in the degradation of many forests around the state. However, there are steps anyone can take to start restoring our forest ecosystems, from regional forests to small plots within urban areas. Explore a holistic approach to the process of restoring woodlands that also accounts for a variety of management goals. And discover a variety of scale-based management techniques that apply in both traditional and novel ecosystems, such as urban forests.
Register
JULIE Remote Ticket Entry Training
9am August 14
Making it more convenient for you to submit your own locate requests online and avoid potential delays on hold during peak times.
Register – free
Fishers & Farmers Workshop
Monday-Wednesday August 19-21 | Field Day Monday 9:30-noon | Workshops end 1pm Wednesday
Farmer-led Jo Daviess County Soil & Water Health Coalition with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at Chestnut Mountain Resort outside of Galena. Workshops are not presentations, but a series of facilitated interactive sessions.
YouTube info | Website | Register Use promo code PRIORITY for a $100 discount (leaving a balance due of $135):
Additional Health Coalition field day 9:30-noon Monday August 19 | Flyer
Attendees are asked to attend the entire workshop as the sessions build on each other. All meals will be included except for the Monday night dinner. Participants can book a hotel room at Chestnut Mountain resort by calling 800.397.1320 and mentioning Fishers & Farmers or by visiting this link. Rooms must be reserved by July 27 to receive the discounted rate of $99/night. Contact Beth Baranski with questions 563.580.6192
Cover Crop Field Day – Wayne SWCD
4pm Tuesday August 20
Greg Dickey’s Farm, 981 Co Rd 530 Wayne City
Featuring speakers
John Pike, Pike Ag, LLC
David Kleinschmidt, Understanding Ag
Jonah Cooley, Precision Conservation
Cliff Schuette, Clinton SWCD
Plus field demonstrations and dinner catered by Randy’s Smokehouse
Piatt, Macon County Farm Bureau Field Day
August 20 – TBD
Piatt and Macon Farm Bureaus have worked for years to support Lake Decatur Watershed improvement efforts. This work includes supporting a NRCS RCPP.
Train the Trainer – Cover Crop Field Training
9:30 am – 2:30 pm Tuesday August 20 – Bellevile
In person workshop for field professionals who work with farmers on cover crop implementation.
Register by 8/12 | Flyer
Webinar: Natural Areas Conservation in Illinois, Kevin Rohling, University of Illinois
August 21 – University of Illinois Extension
Illinois is an innovator in natural areas conservation and management. Explore Illinois’ role in the natural areas movement, review conservation and legal protection options, and discuss how management is often necessary to maintain biodiversity and natural resources in addition to legal protections. Discover ways you can contribute to the legacy of natural area protection and management alongside natural resources professionals, landowners, and volunteers who are working to make a difference in the prairie state.
Register
Wayne County Farm Bureau Field Day
August 22 – Fairfield
Wayne Farm Bureau is sponsoring a Nutrient Loss Inhibitor Demonstration (NLID) plot and field day as part of their ongoing nutrient stewardship project. The overarching goals of this project include demonstrating the efficacy of various nutrient uptake enhancers and nutrient loss inhibitors.
Timber Management & Upland Habitat Seminar
9-11am Saturday August 24
Pyramid State Park, Denmark Multi-Purpose Building, 1165 Tangen Cemetery Road, Cutler
From Perry SWCD, IDNR, Quail Forever and National Wild Turkey Federation. Topics include
• Identifying and combating invasivs
• Improving upland game habitat
• Timber Management
• Prescribed burning
• Pollinator Benefits
• Best management practices
Coffee and donuts will be served.
RSVP 618.357.6016×3 to Marilyn Thompson, Perry SWCD. Flyer
JULIE Remote Ticket Entry Training
1:30pm August 24
Making it more convenient for you to submit your own locate requests online and avoid potential delays on hold during peak times.
Register – free
Summer Farm Tour 2024 – Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District
8:30-lunch
Tuesday August 27 2024
Saunemin Community Building, 70 North St, Saunemin
Come tour an ag tile-treatment constructed wetland and field sites utilizing conservation practices such as no-till/strip-till, cover crops, and nutrient management. You will also hear about research on the “Effects of tillage, fertilizer placement, and winter cover crops on nutrient losses” from U of I researcher Dr. Zhongjie Yu.
Registration and coffee starts at 8am. Lunch will be provided.
For questions (flyer) or to register contact Becky Taylor/Resource Conservationist at 815-844-6127 x3 by August 15. Free.
Cook County Farm Bureau Field Day
August 28 – Chicago Heights
The Farm Bureau and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago have worked together to bridge the gap between point-source and nonpoint-source stakeholder interests. Along with partners from the University of Illinois, plus Cook and Fulton Farm Bureaus, and the Illinois Specialty Growers Association are hosting the event highlighting practices and collaborative partnerships that can be employed to contribute to the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.
Webinar: Resources to Address Deer Impacts to Woodlands, Jarred Brooke, Purdue University
August 28 – University of Illinois Extension
White-tailed deer are an important part of Midwestern forests, but their browsing has an impact on forest health. Explore tools available from Purdue University Extension and The Nature Conservancy of Indiana that are designed to help woodland owners and managers understand, monitor, and manage deer impacts on forest ecosystems.
Register
LaSalle County Farm Bureau Field Day
August 29 – Oak Ridge Golf Club, La Salle
Register by August 23 to LaSalle Farm Bureau 815.433.0371
LaSalle Farm Bureau, as well as other partners, will join to highlight research related to phosphorus management and nutrient cycling.
100 Years of Horsepower
Thursday, Friday, Saturday August 29-30-31
Renner Stock Farms 3412 Carlyle Avenue, Belleville
St Clair County SWCD will have a booth at this event. Flyer + Webpage
Accessing NRCS Land Management Funding
Noon-1:30 pm September 5 – save the date
Join American Farmland Trust – Midwest for the Soil Health on Protected Land Lunch & Learn webinar series.
Knox County Farm Bureau Field Day
September 6 – TBD
Knox Farm Bureau continues to support cover crop implementation and outreach through their Young Farmers Cover Crop Project. The project has provided financial and technical support for growers across the county, with the goal of implementing one cover crop plot in each township. This year’s field day will share updates from the project, including visiting some of the plots included in the project.
2025
Illinois Association of Drainage Districts – Annual Conference
January 16-17 – Bloomington
North American Conservation & Drainage Expo
January 21-23 – Indianapolis, Indiana
More Info
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.
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See other event pages:
Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association
University of Illinois – Crop Sciences