Illinois Corn supports and encourages farmers to adopt best management practices when it comes to taking care of their farms, including soil health. Illinois farmers interested in practices to improve the health of their soil can learn from their peers at a series of field days this summer. The Soil Health Partnership will showcase how changing nutrient management and tillage strategies, along with cover crop adoption, can create lasting economic and environmental benefits.

The organization plans at least 12 field days beginning in June and running through September, including:

• June 23: Auburn, Ill.
• June 30: Lexington, Ill.
• July 7: Petersburg, Ill.
• July 14: Decatur, Ill.
• July 13: Fairbury, Ill.
• Aug. 8: Altamont, Ill.
• Aug. 15: Hudson, Ill.
• Aug. 19: Assumption, Ill.
• Sept. 1: Rutland, Ill.
• Sept. 8: Trivoli, Ill.

“Healthy soil is more resistant to drought, and more resilient to floods – along with being an effective strategy for improving water and air quality,” said Jim Isermann, Soil Health Partnership field manager for Illinois. “Our farmer-partners are innovators and pioneers, and make our best teachers for sharing good soil health practices with their peers.”

An initiative of the National Corn Growers Association, the SHP works with diverse organizations including commodity groups, federal agencies and well-known environmental groups toward common goals. Register at SoilHealthPartnership.org. More events will be posted throughout the summer.