Illinois STAR Program to Help Farmers Improve Soil Health

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has launched a new program called STAR (Saving Tomorrow's Agricultural Resources) to standardize soil health practices and set clear levels of achievement for farmers engaging in best practices. The program will provide financial assistance to farmers who adopt soil health practices such as cover cropping, strip tilling, and no-till farming.

The STAR program is a partnership between IDOA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), and the Sangamon County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The program is expected to cost $3.5 million in state dollars and will generate $9.8 million in federal funds.

The STAR program is a significant step forward for Illinois agriculture. It will help farmers to improve soil health, reduce nutrient loss, and increase yields and profits. The program will also help to protect the state's water quality and climate resilience.

Benefits of the STAR Program:

The STAR program offers a number of benefits to farmers, including:

Financial assistance to adopt soil health practices

Access to technical assistance from NRCS and SWCD staff

Recognition for their commitment to soil health and water quality

Opportunities to participate in new value-driven programs and market initiatives

How to Participate in the STAR Program:

To participate in the STAR program, farmers must submit an application to IDOA. The application will ask farmers to provide information about their current farming practices and their plans for adopting soil health practices. Farmers will also be asked to sign a contract agreeing to follow the STAR program guidelines.

Once an application is approved, farmers will work with NRCS and SWCD staff to develop a conservation plan. The conservation plan will identify the soil health practices that the farmer will implement and the financial assistance that the farmer will receive.

The STAR program is a valuable opportunity for farmers to improve soil health, reduce nutrient loss, and increase yields and profits. The program will also help to protect the state's water quality and climate resilience. Farmers who are interested in participating in the STAR program should contact IDOA for more information.