Members of ISAP developed the Advanced Soil Health Training to increase the number of Illinois farmers, retailers, crop advisers, and conservation professionals who under-stand the science of soil health and related production management changes. Topics include soil structure, chemistry, and biolo-gy; cover crop selection, management, and termination; planting and tillage equipment; field day demonstrations and training; and communication and outreach strategies. The intensive classroom and in-field training model spans 18 months and graduates are encouraged to share what they learn through presentations and field days.
In 2019, the central Illinois cohort, comprised of 25 agricultural professionals from east central Illinois, completed the traini-ng. In 2020, the tri-state cohort, a group of 20 individuals from south-east Illinois, southwest Indiana, and northwest Kentucky, completed the training. A new group of 29 trainees from northwest Illinois and eastern Iowa, the bi-state cohort, started training in 2020 and will meet six times over the next 18 months.
Multiple members of ISAP play a role in these trainings. Special recognition is given to University of Illinois Extension and TNC for their role in leading the tri-state training and to Extension, TNC, and ICGA for their role in planning the bi-state program
For more information, see ilsustainableag.org/programs/advanced-soil-health-training.
