The committee will explore opportunities to evaluate and enhance sustainability practices on South Farms, with the goal of expansion across the State of Illinois. Responsibilities include items such as:

• Develop a plan for evaluating/inventorying existing sustainable land management practices on South Farms on non-research land and for increasing the sustainability of the South Farms land management practices.

  • The plan should account for crop rotations, soil management, nutrient application, and pest management.  

  • The plan should consider the needs and wishes of the departments that rely on the productivity of this land for financial return.  

  • The plan should offer detailed recommendations, benefits/costs of implementation, and estimated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from adopted practices.

• Update Agronomy Handbook with relevant and recommended sustainable land management practices.

• Work with interested tenants on University-owned land to showcase the recommended sustainable land management practices in the updated Agronomy Handbook.