By Andi Anderson
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has officially designated the STAR Tool as the required soil health assessment for all state-funded conservation practices, in line with the Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act (70 ILCS 405).
This decision underscores the state’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.
The STAR Tool now serves as a key component of several conservation initiatives, including the Partners-for-Conservation Cost-Share program (PFC), the Illinois Healthy Soils Initiative (PA 103-00494), and the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS).
“The Illinois Department of Agriculture is proud to elevate the STAR Tool as the standard for assessing soil health across all state-funded conservation programs,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II.
“This decision reflects our deep commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture, supporting farmers with science-based tools, and protecting our state’s vital natural resources for generations to come. By aligning our efforts through STAR, we’re not only improving soil health and water quality—but also empowering producers with the data, resources, and support they need to thrive.”
Developed with Illinois-specific science and farmer input, the STAR Tool evaluates field-level management practices such as tillage, cover cropping, nutrient application, and crop rotation through its STAR Field Form. Each field receives a STAR Rating from 1 to 5, with 5 STARs indicating exemplary conservation practices.
In Crop Year 2024, 498 producers received STAR Ratings for 1,197 fields covering 65,698 acres, averaging 3.45 STARs. Of these, 87% of producers and 67% of fields participated in the PFC program.
“The STAR Tool is an excellent example of responsive government programs at work,” said Jen Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council.
“A program like the STAR Tool invests taxpayer dollars in an effective, science-based approach that delivers real environmental benefits for farmers and the rest of us. We all need clean water and healthy soil, and this tool is an important part of Illinois’ work to reduce nutrient pollution, curtail erosion, and build resilient farm communities.”
STAR conducts randomized field verifications while maintaining strict data privacy. Farmers retain ownership of their data, and only anonymized, aggregated results are shared publicly. Producers also benefit from the Resource Directory, Conservation Innovation Plan, and STAR Navigators offering hands-on assistance.
The STAR Tool is free and available to corn, soy, and small grain producers in Illinois, with expansion underway for urban agriculture and grazing lands. More information is available at www.STARtool.ag.
Photo Credit: pexels-jan-kroon
Categories: Illinois, Education