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    • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • GET STARTED
    • INCENTIVES
      • non-GMO soy growers
      • Pay-for-Performance
    • NEWS
    • CONTACT
S.T.A.R.
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • GET STARTED
  • INCENTIVES
    • non-GMO soy growers
    • Pay-for-Performance
  • NEWS
  • CONTACT

Welcome

WelcomeWelcomeWelcome


Saving Tomorrow's Agriculture Resources

GET STARTED!

Welcome

WelcomeWelcomeWelcome


Saving Tomorrow's Agriculture Resources

GET STARTED!

Enrollment open for STAR Crop Year 2023

Crop Year 2023 enrollment opened on July 1, 2023 and will close on January 31st, 2024

EARN YOUR CONSERVATION STARS

  STAR is an exciting initiative developed by farmers and soil and water conservation professionals that offers farm operators and landowners a simple, free, and confidential tool to evaluate their conservation land management practices. The goal of STAR is to encourage the continued adoption of conservation practices, and recognize farmers for their commitment to sustainability. From improved nutrient management to cover crops to edge of field water treatment and even crop rotation or inclusion of livestock, a suite of practices can result in a rating of between one and five STARs!  

Find out more

Incentives Available for Non-GMO Soybean Growers Through December 4

A new incentive opportunity is now available to all non-GMO soybean growers in Illinois, made possible by a partnership between Illinois Soybean Association and STAR.

Learn more

CROP YEAR 2021 STAR ANNUAL REPORT

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Crop Year 2022 STAR Awardees

STAR Farmer of the Year

STAR Licensee of the Year

STAR Licensee of the Year

Rick and Kathy Kaesbier

Rick (Right) and Kathy (Left) are organic farmers operating in Logan County. In CY22, their farm enrolled 8 fields that totaled 300 acres. 100% of those fields were rated 5-STARs, an exemplary feat for STAR farmers. 


STAR Licensee of the Year

STAR Licensee of the Year

STAR Licensee of the Year

Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation District

Stacy Helm (Left), Clark Witges (Middle), Trevor Alexander (Right)

Jefferson County SWCD demonstrated the importance of local staff working with their farmers to deliver conservation services and assistance. Their support made STAR a huge success in Jefferson County, enrolling 40 fields covering 1,400 acres in CY22.

STAR Partner of the Year

STAR Partner of the Year

STAR Partner of the Year

Helen VanBeck

Helen VanBeck is the Midwest Program Specialist with American Farmland Trust and a coordinator of the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership. In CY22, Helen led the process for calculating environmental outcomes of the STAR program, enabling STAR to communicate the positive, tangible improvements to water quality and climate impacts that are a result of STAR farmers using conservation practices on the landscape.

STAR Partner of the Year

STAR Partner of the Year

STAR Partner of the Year

Jerry Costello II

Jerry Costello II is the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), and a former member of the Illinois House of Representatives. IDOA's Partners for Conservation Program uses STAR as an evaluation tool, enrolling 476 fields for CY22. This addition significantly contributed to STAR's conservation goals and demonstrated the appetite for conservation programming in IL.

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