Apply for specialty crop grant

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has opened applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant program until April 15 at 4 p.m. IDOA plans to award over $586,000 during a three-year period due to funding from the federal farm bill.

Who’s eligible?

IDOA encourages project applications that benefit smaller operations, new and beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged producers, veteran producers, or underserved communities. They also encourage projects related to improving food safety, specialty crop research, enhancing pest and disease control, development of new or improved seed varieties and specialty crops, and more.

Projects that pertain to a particular commercial product or provide profit for a single institution, business or individual are ineligible.

For more information and to obtain a grant proposal packet, visit the IDOA website. Applications are due to IDOA by April 15 at 4 p.m.

Illinois farmers elected to USSEC board

Illinois soybean producers Doug Winter of Mill Shoals and Stan Born of Mahomet were elected to lead the United States Soybean Export Council at the 2022 Commodity Classic. Winter will serve as USSEC executive committee chairman, and Born will serve as vice chairman.

“I am very proud to continue representing Illinois and U.S. soybean farmers as we work to increase U.S. soy’s reach and market share worldwide,” Winter says.

Fifteen representatives of the U.S. soy industry sit on the USSEC board: four individuals from the American Soybean Association, four members from the United Soybean Board, and seven people who represent industry, state and trade organizations.

USSEC works to create preference for U.S. soy in markets all around the world, representing the industry’s products and enabling customers to see how U.S. soy is the best value option, Born adds.

Enroll land in CLEAR30

If you have continuous Conservation Reserve Program or Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program cropland or pastureland with contracts expiring by Sept. 30, you may want to enroll those acres into the Clean Lakes, Estuaries and Rivers initiative (CLEAR30).

CLEAR30 is a USDA program available across the nation, designed for landowners and producers currently using water quality practices through enrollment in CRP. Established in the 2018 Farm Bill, CLEAR30 was created to address water quality concerns.

Here’s what you need to know to apply:

For more information or to sign up for CLEAR30, contact your local USDA Service Center before Aug. 5.

Register for Stockmanship and Stewardship tour

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is offering up three Stockmanship and Stewardship events this year, located around the country. The two-day, in-person events include cattle handling demonstrations, Beef Quality Assurance sessions, industry discussions and cattle facility design workshops.

The following tours are available to producers this year:

For more information or to register for one of the events, visit the Stockmanship and Stewardship website. Registration fees vary based on location, but all offer a discount for student registration and one-day registration. Fees include all tours, sessions and meals.

Website for soybean producers

The Illinois Soybean Association has launched a new website, SoyInnovator, to share information on news, sustainability, technology, new markets production and more, with an emphasis on data.

“Today’s farmers are more tech savvy and motivated by emerging innovations that benefit the industry, the environment and their bottom line,” says Steve Pitstick, ISA chairman. The website will allow farmers to be better informed and become more productive to improve yields.