BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — On Jan. 3, 2023, the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership filed for non-profit status with the state of Illinois. The Partnership, which is made up of 15 member organizations, promotes whole system conservation solutions focused on soil health and water management in order to build healthy soil, protect clean water, and support profitable farms.
As a registered non-profit entity, the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership will be better equipped to connect farmers and farm advisors with financial resources, technical assistance, and relevant research to support their transition to an integrated conservation cropping system.
“This important milestone for ISAP is a reflection of the enthusiasm, investment, and dedication to ISAP’s mission and work by our membership,” shared Megan Baskerville, Illinois Ag Program Director with The Nature Conservancy and chair of the ISAP Steering Committee. “As a non-profit, ISAP will be able to continue expanding and enhancing our work, and I am excited for the opportunities that lie ahead in the new year.”
In addition to expanding its training programs, non-profit status will allow ISAP to formalize the Partnership’s structure and receive donations and sponsorship funding to support the organization’s programs, events, and outreach. As the Partnership’s scope of work continues to grow, incorporation as a non-profit will ensure long-term unified action in supporting sustainable agriculture in Illinois and meeting the goals established by the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.
The Partnership originally formed in 2017 as a collaborative effort among several organizations in response to the 2015 release of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. At the time, leaders in conservation agriculture knew that the NLRS goals were ambitious and would require significant changes to agricultural production across the state. In 2017, ISAP was created with the goal of facilitating collaboration among key stakeholders and ensuring consistent messaging for farmers and farm advisors on nutrient loss reduction efforts.
Since 2017, ISAP has held six intensive training programs on Soil Health and Advanced Conservation Drainage, served as a national leader in communicating ecosystem market opportunities, and developed a network of conservation advocates across the state who are supporting farmers as they adopt conservation cropping systems.
ISAP will continue to serve as a leader in advancing conservation agriculture while supporting a systems approach to improving soil health and reducing nutrient loss across the state. To learn more about the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership, visit www.ilsustainableag.org, sign up for the monthly newsletter, The Aggregate, or reach out directory to hello@ilsustainableag.org.
— Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership
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