EFFINGHAM, Ill. — When it comes to farming, there is no substitute for experience. This August, producers and landowners can connect with local Illinois farmers and learn from others’ hands-on knowledge on preventing soil loss in their fields at the Cultivating Conversations: Preventing Soil Loss on Your Farm panel discussion for east-central Illinois. 

Three local producers will share their experiences with soil loss on their farms and share insights through their years of experience before answering questions in this free event. Network with other producers, learn how soil conservation practices work, and explore cost-share opportunities. The program will also include a discussion about the Illinois Nutrient Loss Strategy.

The program is from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 29 at the Effingham County Extension Office, 1209 N. Wenthe Dr., Effingham. Sign up at go.illinois.edu/SoilLossAug29. A light breakfast will be provided.

For more information, call (217) 357-2150 or email Emma Eldridge at emmaee@illinois.edu.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Amanda at achriste@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs. 

Across Illinois, farmers are working together to reduce the loss of the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus from fields, which can pollute local waterways, contaminate drinking water supplies, lower property values, hinder recreational opportunities, and harm local businesses and tourism. Local water quality also has an impact downstream from the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico, where a hypoxic zone the size of Yellowstone National Park threatens the fishing industry. Explore more about preventing nutrient loss in Illinois with Illinois Extension and the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.