IFB hosting nutrient stewardship field days

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Illinois Farm Bureau will host five Nutrient Stewardship Field Days this spring for farmers and industry partners to collaborate and discuss ongoing research and innovative approaches to nutrient stewardship.

“As the planting season quickly approaches, these field days offer an opportunity for farmers to get up-to-date insights on nutrient management and novel techniques to apply in their fields,” said Bena Pegg, IFB environmental program manager.

“These programs are designed to offer insight on both economic and environmental sustainability. Farmers and ag consultants alike are welcome.”

Hosted through IFB’s Nutrient Stewardship Grant Program, the spring Nutrient Stewardship Field Days will focus on a variety of topics including soil health, best management practices, livestock integration and regenerative agriculture. Additional field days will take place during the summer.

Farmers, as well as those interested in learning more about agriculture’s role in protecting the environment, are invited to join IFB, its membership and partnering organizations to learn more about past and current Illinois conservation practices and research.

A schedule for the 2026 Spring Nutrient Stewardship Field Days is listed here with dates, hosting county Farm Bureaus, addresses and brief summaries of each event.

Spring field days and topics include:

• March 19 — Will County Farm Bureau, 9 a.m. to noon, Will South Cook Soil Water Conservation District, 1201 S. Gougar Road, New Lenox. Program will focus on soil health and economics. RSVP by March 13. Call 815-727-4811 for more information.

• March 21 — Montgomery County Farm Bureau, noon to 4 p.m., Hillsboro Lions Club, 212 E. Fairground Ave., Hillsboro. Program will focus on best management practices. Lunch provided. RSVP by March 16 to 217-532-6171.

• April 3 — Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau, 1 to 4 p.m., 7979 E. Cahill Road, Stockton. Participants will learn about the benefits of integrating livestock into row-crop operations, fenceless grazing, hybrid corn selection and water quality improvement through managed grazing systems. RSVP by March 27. Call 815-858-2235 for more information.

• Clinton County Farm Bureau will host a “Southern Illinois Regenerative Bus Tour” in partnership with the Southern Illinois Farmers for Soil Health group. The tour will include stops at local farms using innovative regenerative practices. Karla Gage of Southern Illinois University will also discuss barley as a weed suppressant, livestock feed source and double-crop opportunities for soybeans. Date is still being finalized. Visit clintoncofb.org for more information.

The 2026 Nutrient Stewardship Field Days are funded through IFB’s Nutrient Stewardship Grant Program.

Through the grant program, 26 CFBs will collaborate on 17 nutrient stewardship projects. Additionally, 24 CFBs will work together on 17 pollinator conservation projects.

Since 2015, IFB has awarded a total of $1.75 million for 192 county-led nutrient stewardship projects. Entering the fifth year of the Pollinator Conservation Grant program, IFB has awarded $165,000 for 45 projects.