The Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (S.T.A.R.) program gives interested farmers a long-term plan and clear expectations of how to adopt new practices that improve soil health and sustainability (ilsustainableag.org/programs/five-star/). It provides encouragement, recognition, and peer acceptance as well as a mechanism for tracking and verifying practice. changes at a county level. The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) is working with the Association of Illinois SWCDs and Champaign County SWCD to expand the S.T.A.R. Program, which awards points for adopting nutrient loss reduction practices.
From improved nutrient management to cover crops, to edge-of-field water treatment, and even crop rotation or inclusion of livestock, a suite of practices can result in one to five stars. After the evaluation process using the S.T.A.R. tool, farmers receive field signs with their earned stars, which can be increased as they adopt additional practices. The signs provide farmers with recognition of their good work and create awareness in the farming community. The ratings are county-specific and vetted by a local technical advisory committee.
