Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) is seeking applicants for its program aimed at improving agricultural environmental stewardship.

Applications opened March 1 for ISAP’s Soil Health Leadership Program. Farmers, advisers and conservation professionals looking to grow their soil health understanding and become valuable resources for the Illinois agriculture community are encouraged to apply.

The program will start in August and run through 2025. Training will be given in six sessions over 18 months and will include field and classroom components.

Training session topics include:

• Soil structure and function
• Nutrient management and soil biology
• Cover crop selection, seeding techniques and termination
• Planting and tillage equipment setup
• Soil health and field demonstration training
• Communication and outreach strategies

“ISAP’s mission is to create a network of professionals who support a systems approach to improve soil health and reduce nutrient loss,” said Jim Isermann, ISAP soil health specialist. Isermann said the Soil Health Leadership Program does just that by providing graduates with the right skills to improve soil health and overcome common challenges.

Location operations manager for West Central FS, Brandon Hall, is a past program graduate. He said, “When you tie in all the opportunities this program provides, from the participants and in-field visits to the demos and diverse lineup of presenters, I believe this program is an amazing opportunity for anyone interested in this sector of the industry.”

Certified crop adviser continuing education credits are available. Additionally, those who complete the course will be recognized as Soil Health Ambassadors.

GO ONLINE:

Applications are due May 31. For more information, visit ilsustainableag.org/shlp.