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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-ADAM SICKLES
On July 27, 2026, Conservation Planner Adam Sickles began working as the new Resource Conservationist (RC) for Piatt County SWCD! After joining the AIM Initiative in October 2023, his colleagues in Piatt County quickly appreciated his contributions to their office. Shortly before Adam joined the office, Bri Gates began working as the Piatt County RC and expressed how helpful he was in sharing the CRP workload. She’s now the Horticulture Program Director at Parkland College, a
3 min read
Past News Stories
Crop Year 2026 Opens in June!
For producers who prefer to complete their own paperwork on STARtool.ag, an image of how fields are laid out on the STAR Tool dashboard. STAR enrollment for CY26 will open on June 1, marking our third year of using STARtool.ag, and producers can begin completing their field forms with the help of STAR Navigators! While celebrating the start of a new Crop Year, we would also like to reflect on some of Illinois STAR’s achievements over the past year. In 2025, all districts were
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REFLECTIONS ON 2026 ILLINOIS ENVIROTHON
Envirothon participants, provided by Cara Clark This April I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Illinois Envirothon competition hosted by the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts. This year’s Envirothon took place on April 29th and 30th at the 4H Memorial Campground in Monticello, IL. For those who are not familiar with the Envirothon competition, “The Envirothon® is an environmental and natural resources conservation problem-solving, leadership
4 min read
Professor Shares Cutting-Edge Research With Students andBroader Community
Along with implementing conservation practices on his own family farm, Illinois Central College (ICC) Professor Pete Fandel shares his passion for soil health with countless students who participate in the advanced research projects that he conducts on campus. He has taught at ICC for 16 years and previously worked for Illinois Extension, where he collaborated with and learned from Mike Plumer and has tried to continue some of the conservation work that Mike was promoting. On
4 min read
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
5 min read
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
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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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Featured Producer: Al DeCrane
March 21, 2025 Al Decrane’s Granddaughter was named Little Miss Ag and posed with the Pollinator plot. Wildlife habitat enhancement is a family affair for Al DeCrane on his farm in Galva, IL , which includes pollinator plots, three large ponds, and over 20 acres of trees, including white pine and a few different varieties of oak (red, white, black, and bur). Describing his family’s involvement on the farm, he said, “Both of my grandkids deer hunt, so we have gotten to hunt de
4 min read
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