UPCOMING EVENTS – AISWCD
MAGIC of Conservation lunch webinar training series
AISWCD Summer Convention
July 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS – SWCDs + Partners
Electric Mowing and Tool Field Day IDNR + SEDAC
10am-noon Wednesday October 9
Kickapoo State Recreation Area – 10906 Kickapoo Park Rd, Oakwood
Explore the climate benefits of electric outdoor equipment – demonstration of electric outdoor equipment for both commercial and residential purposes that reduce fuel use and costs. Learn about the feasibility of electric tools for your sites or management needs; glean information about the economic and environmental benefits of electric equipment. Vendors like Raymo, Toro, STIHL, and Mean Green Mowers. Farms can save tens of thousands of dollars over the long run in terms of fuel and maintenance for landscaping/groundskeeping equipment.
• Commercial and residential lawn mowers
• Weed wackers/trimmers
• Chainsaws
• Leaf blowers
• and more
Register
Succession Planning Summit – Illinois Farmers Union
Thursday, October 10
Hyatt Place Champaign/Urbana – 217 N Neil St, Champaign
Whether you are a land holder planning for your farm’s legacy, or a land seeker looking to establish your roots, this event will help you navigate the challenges in succession planning from both angles. Participate in hands-on workshops designed to address specific challenges faced by family farmers:
• Legal Considerations
• Estate Planning and Tax Strategies
• Family Communication and Conflict Resolution
• Conservation Options: your farmland is more than a business; land protection and estate planning go hand-in-hand. Learn about the various land protection options that can be integrated into your estate planning process.
You should attend if…
– You are an established farmer preparing for a generational transition
– You are a young farmer preparing to inherit your family operation
– You are a new farmer
Details and registration
Agroforestry alley cropping system farm tour by the Savanna Institute
1-2pm Wednesday October 16, 4-H Memorial Camp at Allerton Park, Monticello
Planted in 2020, this acreage features a unique farming practice that incorporates timber production, prairie restoration and conventional grain systems to support water quality, carbon sequestration, soil health and wildlife habitat. The tour should be of interest to farmers, TSP (Technical Service Provider) clients, landowners, conservation professionals as well members of the general public who want to learn about this eco-friendly farming practice.
Registration is required, $5 suggested donation.
Rend Lake Pollinator Garden Stewardship Days – University of Illinois Extension
8:30-11am Wednesday October 16, US Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake Project Office, 11981 Rend City Rd, Benton
Volunteers will receive training of how to care for pollinator gardens, assist with garden stewardship, assist with garden education, meet other volunteers and have fun.
Register
Common Ground Central – Illinois FarmLink
5-8pm Wednesday November 13
Riggs Beer Company, 1901 S. High Cross Road, Urbana
Common Ground is an in-person educational, networking and community-building event for land seekers and landowners in Illinois.
Connect with local resource providers and fellow land seekers and landowners.
Explore topics related to land access such as farmland protection, non-family farm transition and land access methods.
Learn from each other’s land access journeys to inspire new ideas in your land or farmer search.
Share your own story, ideas, and needs.
$10 registration required
Common Ground Central brought to you by Savanna Institute, American Farmland Trust and The Land Connection’s Illinois FarmLink.
Illinois Cover Crop On-Farm Network Monthly Call – Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership
9-10am Wednesday November 13 – Zoom
The Illinois Cover Crop On-Farm Network convenes cover crop specialists from across Illinois and the broader Midwest region for monthly discussions to explore new research, troubleshoot field conditions and provide updates on policies and programs related to cover crops. Presentations by experts, researchers and industry leaders offer an opportunity to share knowledge and network with a strong community of cover crop enthusiasts.
Information | Registration
Starting Native Plants from Seed – Lake County Forest Preserve District + University of Illinois Extension
6-7:30pm Wednesday November 13 (Zoom)
Starting native plants from seed can be challenging until you know the tricks to sparking germination. Discover what it means to stratify and scarify seeds and which species need which treatment. Registration
Farm for the Future – The Agricultural Climate Risk Tools workshop
8:30am-1:30pm Monday December 2 – University of Illinois College of ACES Library, 1101 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana
This program is provided through a Sustainable Ag Research and Education Professional Development grant and is cohosted by University of Illinois Extension, the Prairie Research Institute, the Illinois State Climatologist office, the USDA Midwest Climate Hub, the Midwest Regional Climate Center, and the National Integrated Drought Information System.
Lunch included; CEU credits are available for Certified Crop Advisors.
Sign up by Nov. 25 at go.illinois.edu/RiskTools
Common Ground North – Illinois FarmLink
1:30-5pm Sunday December 8
Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen – 110 N Main St, Crystal Lake
Common Ground is an in-person educational, networking and community-building event for land seekers and landowners in Illinois.
Connect with local resource providers and fellow land seekers and landowners.
Explore topics related to land access such as farmland protection, non-family farm transition and land access methods.
Learn from each other’s land access journeys to inspire new ideas in your land or farmer search.
Share your own story, ideas, and needs.
$10 registration required
Common Ground North brought to you by the Center for Agrarian Learning at McHenry County College, Farmers Rising, The Land Connection’s Illinois FarmLink, The Land Conservancy of McHenry County and Northern Illinois Young Farmers.
Illinois Cover Crop On-Farm Network Monthly Call – Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership
9-10am Wednesday December 11 – Zoom
The Illinois Cover Crop On-Farm Network convenes cover crop specialists from across Illinois and the broader Midwest region for monthly discussions to explore new research, troubleshoot field conditions and provide updates on policies and programs related to cover crops. Presentations by experts, researchers and industry leaders offer an opportunity to share knowledge and network with a strong community of cover crop enthusiasts.
Information | Registration
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
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.
Notes: Anything additional.
Register: RSVP, payment link, deadline, and whatnot.
See other event pages:
Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association
University of Illinois – Crop Sciences