Commercial row-crop agriculture and environmental conservation are not mutually exclusive. While large-scale farming operations can sometimes have negative environmental impacts, many farmers are increasingly adopting sustainable practices that promote biodiversity and ecosystem health.
McDonough County farmer and University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist Brent Fowler is leading the charge.
“Overhearing my dad talk about quail hunting, no longer possible due to their population decline, really struck a chord with me. I set out to change that,” explained Fowler. “Most of my stewardship activities involve prairie and field-to-forest border edges. I care for about 160 acres of prairie in about 30 small fields. Most of these prairie acres have been planted along field edges where the forest transitions to row crops—this creates excellent habitat and can actually be more profitable for the farm because row crops don’t yield well right up next to large trees.”
Not satisfied with simply making conservation-minded improvements on his land, Fowler is actively educating others about his efforts. After becoming a Master Naturalist in the Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit in 2022, Fowler began hosting farm tours. He shows visitors the various strategies he employs seasonally, including establishing spring/summer blooming prairie plants, identifying fall colors of native shrubs, and how best to control invasive species.
“Touring Brent’s farm during the 2024 state Extension Master Naturalist conference inspired me not only to continue to plant native species for pollinators, but to be aware of the various bird species that need native prairie for habitat. His passion for conservation was contagious!” explained Extension Master Gardener and Master Naturalist Janine Donahue.
In addition to the work on habitat restoration, Fowler is also incorporating regenerative agriculture practices in his row-crop acreage, including reduced tillage and cover crops, These practices work in tandem to reduce soil erosion and prevent nutrient loss in our streams and rivers.
“Ten years ago, when we were slowly and cautiously transitioning to no-till, each step involved yield test after yield test to prove that what we were doing was more profitable or at least as profitable. We are now almost exclusively no-till on our 3,500 acres of corn and soybeans with about half of that receiving a cover crop.”
“Conservation farming is crucial for the long-term sustainability of our food production systems,” explained Tara Heath, commercial agriculture educator. “I'm excited to see him leading the way in implementing practices that benefit both the environment and the agricultural community."
PHOTO CAPTION
Local Extension Master Naturalist Brent Fowler led a conservation farm tour during the 2024 Illinois Master Naturalist Conference highlighting his efforts to fight invasive species, promote biodiversity, and improve wildlife habitat on his McDonough County farm. Fowler is using his passion for environmental conservation along with his expertise in commercial agriculture to educate others about the environmental and financial benefits of conservation farming.
MEET THE AUTHOR
In 2021, Tara Heath joined the University of Illinois Extension team as horticulture program coordinator for Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties. After three+ years successfully supporting the local Extension Master Gardener program, Tara completed her master of science degree and was promoted to a commercial ag educator, with a focus on agronomy and crop sciences. In her new role, she will continue her work as the Annie's Project coordinator and begin her programming efforts in the area of regenerative agriculture practices such as reduced tillage and cover crops.
Tara received her Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture with an emphasis in horticulture from Western Illinois University and Master of Science degree in crop sciences with an emphasis in horticultural food systems from University of Illinois. She has over 20 years of experience in landscape management, having served as the Superintendent of Grounds at Western Illinois University.
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