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News & Updates
Explore AIM Illinois news and stories that highlight real conservation work across the state. Browse updates from our planners and partners, see what’s working on the ground, and find ideas you can bring to your own fields and communities.
Conservation Planner Spotlight — Johnny Anians
With his technical background, McLean County ConservationPlanner Johnny Anians brings a unique skill set to the AIM Initiative. Combined with a strong work ethic and curiosity, his contributions could help drive meaningful improvements for Conservation Planners more broadly. Before joining the AIM Initiative in June of 2023, Johnny worked at State Farm as part of a specialized technical assignment team tasked with piloting a new department that the company ultimately chose no
Conservation Planner Spotlight — Chaurda Hathaway
Growing up in the small southern Illinois community of Eldorado, Chaurda Hathaway has always known that she wanted to work outdoors. In June of 2023, she joined the AIM Initiative as the Gallatin County Conservation Planner. On top of this, Chaurda is also working toward her bachelor’s degree in forestry at SIU Carbondale, where she has been taking online courses. In her spare time, she enjoys hunting and camping. Chaurda is currently working toward her NRCS Planner Level 3
2026 ILLINOIS LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD WINNER SHARES INNOVATIVE GRAZING TECHNIQUES
Greg Thoren has achieved great success on his farm by combining age-old conservation practices with new technology, such as virtual fencing for his cattle, and he and his wife Janis are now being recognized as the 2026 winner of the Leopold Conservation Award in Illinois. Located in the far southeast corner of Jo Daviess County, Greg farms in the Driftless Area where the topography differs a great deal from central Illinois, and a variety of soil types can be found. Greg’s ex
Siemer-STAR Producer Reward Payment Program to Continue in 2026
Illinois STAR is thrilled to continue a partnership with Siemer Milling Company (SMC) that has formally recognized and financially rewarded farmers for their outstanding conservation achievements. In 2025, the Siemer-STAR Producer Reward Payment Program (PRPP) awarded $75,000 to 10 producers and 61 different fields. Since it began in 2023, the PRPP has grown in popularity so much that 139 fields spanning over 8,500 acres across Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky were submitted f
Soil Health – Former Buffalo Farm Continues to Provide Precious Habitat For O’Fallon Wildlife
April 21, 2025 Although the bison have been gone for quite some time, many of the O’Fallon area residents still fondly refer to the Brown Family’s property as The Buffalo Farm. According to Stephen Brown, the family’s involvement with the farm dates to around 1860, and his grandfather was born on the farm around 1890. During the 1950’s, there was a drought out west that caused buffalo to start starving. Stephen explained that an appeal went out for people to house some, and h
Conservation Planner Spotlight — Aidan Woltman & Olivia Winters
April 16, 2025 Working in the collar counties of Illinois, Conservation Planners Aidan Woltman and Olivia Winters were like two peas in a pod. Although Aidan was the McHenry County Conservation Planner and Olivia represents Kane County, they were able to split up their workload between Lake, McHenry, Kane, and DuPage counties. When asked about their favorite part of the position, both said, “Working together.” However, after spending two years as a Conservation Planner, Aidan
Soil Health Summit
April 7, 2025 On March 10-11, AIM hosted the Soil Health Summit for Conservation Planners and the Admin Team in Macomb, Illinois. The goal of the Soil Health Summit was to provide the in person lab trainings for those enrolled in Soil Health Courses with WIU’s Dr. Joel Gruver as well as to build team unity amongst the Conservation Planners. “We chose WIU for this summit because of its strong reputation in soil health research and applied conservation practices,” said Whitney
Conservation Planner Spotlight — Leticia Taliafero
March 26, 2025 When she’s not helping farmers as a Conservation Planner in Rock Island County, Leticia Taliafero spends her time working on her own certified organic operation, Sowing Seed Urban Garden Center, where she specializes in microgreens that are sold at her local farmers market. Growing up in central Virginia, her family always had a vegetable garden. With a laugh, she said that hardly any cucumbers made it into the house unless her mom was pickling, which she did o
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