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Projects Updates for key objective: 4.3 Cover Crops on South Farms

  4. Land & Water iCAP Team November 2023 Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Meadow at Orchard Downs
    Cover Crops on South Farms
    Land and Water iCAP Team

    The Land & Water iCAP team met on Teams from 1-2 PM on Friday, November 3rd. The team discussed permeable pavers at State Farm Center, the meadow at Orchard Downs, cover crops on the South Farm, and the iCAP 2025 rewrite of the Land & Water chapter. Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  5. Land & Water iCAP Team October 2023 Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Meadow at Orchard Downs
    Plantings at Dorner Drive Retention Pond
    Green Roof on Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics Building (formerly called Foreign Language Building)
    Cover Crops on South Farms
    Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM)
    Land and Water iCAP Team

    The Land & Water iCAP team met on Teams from 1-2 PM on Friday, October 6th. The team reviewed the iCAP Land & Water objectives, discussed area/projects of focus for the year, and brainstormed next steps in relation to projects that are underway. Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  6. Campus Sustainability Funds to Support Cover Crops

    Associated Project(s): 
    Cover Crops on South Farms
    Funding for Sustainability

    The following is an email conversation between Adam Davis, Morgan White, and Jen Fraterrigo.

    On June 29, 2023 Adam sent the following email:

    Good morning, Jen and Morgan

    The REC staff has asked me whether there will be any Campus Sustainability funds to support cover crops this year? I’m wondering whether last year’s request was considered and approved? We would like to increase the acres of Crop Sciences research ground that’s in cover crops, and could use some financial support in purchasing more cover crop seed.

    Thanks,

    Adam

    -----------

    Hi Adam,

    When would funding need to be available?

    Thanks!

    Morgan

    -----------

    The sooner the better—we need to purchase more cover crop seed, which will take 3-4 weeks for delivery. Planting would happen towards the end of September, so funds by early to mid-August would be important to get it done this year.

    Thanks,

    Adam

    -----------

    On July 7, 2023 Jen replied:

    Hi Adam,

    The Sustainability Council was supportive of increasing land planted with cover crops; however, it is not a funding body and therefore cannot support this effort financially. If the department or college cannot provide funding, I suggest applying for funding from the SSC Green Fund. Unfortunately, the timing may not work for this year.

    Happy to discuss more if it would be helpful.

    Thanks,

    Jen

    -----------

    Thanks for this suggestion, Jen. We’ll self-support the increase in seed this cycle, and put in an application to the SSC green fund for next growing season.

    Adam Davis

     

     

  9. Land & Water iCAP Meeting 2/17

    Associated Project(s): 
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Campus Landscape Master Plan (CLMP)
    Water Audit / Inventory
    Monitor Soil Health
    Cover Crops on South Farms

    On February 17th, the Land & Water iCAP team met to discuss the details of a permeable pavers recommendation. The team then split off into breakout rooms to organize future soil and water committee initiatives. 

    Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  10. Land & Water iCAP Meeting 12/13/2022

    Associated Project(s): 
    Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM)
    Cover Crops on South Farms
    Campus Landscape Master Plan (CLMP)
    Water Conservation [ARCHIVED]
    Obtain and Publicize Water Data
    Land and Water iCAP Team

    On December 13th, the Land & Water iCAP team met to discuss a new approach to crafting recommendations for next semester; including the creation of a land subcommittee and a water subcommittee.

    Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  11. Land and Water iCAP Meeting 10/4/2022

    Associated Project(s): 
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Campus Landscape Master Plan (CLMP)
    Cover Crops on South Farms
    Let It Flow
    Benefits of a Large-Scale Prairie Experiment

    On October 4th, the Land and Water iCAP team met to make final edits on the Campus Sustainability Celebration slides, review the Campus Landscape Master Plan, and discuss regenerative agriculture research on the South Farms.

    Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  12. L&W iCAP Meeting 9/16/2022

    Associated Project(s): 
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Campus Landscape Master Plan (CLMP)
    Cover Crops on South Farms
    Vet Med Parking Lot Re-Design
    Increase Pollinator-Friendly Areas

    On September 16th, the Land & Water iCAP team met to identify projects that need to be wrapped up, review the key priorities document, and discuss recommendations to be completed in the short term.

    Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  14. July 2021 Project Progress Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Cover Crops on South Farms

    The following project updates were provided by Allen Parrish on July 30, 2021:

    • The air seeder is ordered and should arrive in the next couple of weeks.
    • Cover crop seed plates are ordered to use a planter for cover crop seeding.
    • Several types of seeded have been done (7.5, 15, 30, and surface broadcasting.)
    • Seed orders are currently in the process of being placed.
    • The Animal Science Building will be getting the first fields planted after the harvest silage in late August 2021 / early September 2021.
    • An estimate for acereage planted can be provided in November 2021.

  15. ALUFS004 South Farm Management Plan - Successful

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    ALUFS Recommendations Summary
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Agriculture, Land Use, Food, and Sequestration (ALUFS) SWATeam
    Cover Crops on South Farms
    Sustainable Land Management Committee

    The Sustainability Sub-Council discussed and approved this recommendation at the March 18, 2021 meeting.  The meeting minutes are online at: https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project-update/sustainability-s...

    The key next steps are:

    • Form “Sustainable Land Management Committee” with both ACES and non-ACES representation (e.g., iSEE, F&S, UI System, Ag Property Management, Engineering, etc.)
    • Madhu will work with ACES to form this committee, which will focus on incorporating sustainable land management practices on South Farms, extension opportunities, and updating agronomy handbook and recommended set of practices
    • South Farms will ultimately be an example of how to demonstrate sustainability practices and will connect with farmers who are willing and engaged with these practices

    See iWG assessment started for ALUFS004 South Farm Management Plan here.

    See SWATeam recommendation ALUFS004 South Farm Management Plan here.

    For future updates on this effort, visit Sustainable Land Management Committee.

  16. SSC Funding Approved for Improving UI Campus Land Sustainability with Cover Crops

    Associated Project(s): 
    Cover Crops on South Farms
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    The SSC approved $47,572.00 in funding for the "Improving UI Campus Land Sustainability with Cover Crops" project. The award expires on 12/16/2022.

    Attached Files: