SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A coalition of Illinois agricultural and environmental groups are urging Gov. JB Pritzker to recognize and help incentivize activities producers adopt to reduce greenhouse (GHG) emissions and sequester carbon in soils. In a letter to the governor, American Farmland Trust (AFT) and 13 other Illinois farm and conservation-related groups identified no-till and the planting of cover crops as practices that should be encouraged to reduce GHG emissions associated with U.S. croplands. 

“In Illinois, where over 23 million acres of cropland are available for the implementation of these practices, the potential benefits are substantial. In addition, this same set of practices when used at scale are key to achieving the state’s nutrient loss reduction goals — protecting clean water and restoring soil health,” the March 4 letter stated, in part. “Farmers across the state are already using their land for the development of renewable energy. They are implementing new, on farm technologies to become more efficient while also protecting the integrity of our food system.”

The letter went on to say that expanding farmers’ ability to use soils and agricultural practices as another tool for fighting climate change is the “next step to utilizing all our state’s assets to achieving our climate goals. We ask you to recognize the importance of these practices and to begin efforts to further utilize state resources and networks to promote climate resilience efforts on Illinois farmland. We are ready to assist in identifying goals and opportunities around this important work.”

The groups believe that attention to these practices, matched to the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) and other existing conservation infrastructure, can spur new investment and opportunity while fighting climate change. A recent study conducted by AFT indicates key conservation agriculture practices— including crop rotation, mulching, strip-cropping, manure management and composting — have the potential to reduce millions of tons of new greenhouse gas emissions every year, while reducing excess carbon from the atmosphere and sequestering it in ground soils.

“In other words, when these practices are put in place, it positions Illinois farmers to be a key part of the climate solution,” the letter stated. “However, Illinois’ farms have yet to be identified as part of the state’s climate strategy.”

AFT Midwest policy manager Max Webster said that as of March 22 the letter had not been officially acknowledged by the office of the governor.

“We have not received a formal response from the governor’s office yet but we’re in conversation and hope to have the next steps in place soon,” Webster said, in an email. “Given the load on the governor’s plate, we’re proceeding with patience which is something we just have to have at the current moment.”

The letter was sent just as the primary programs that support farmers in implementing environmentally sound production practices are coming up for review in the 2021 legislative session. The Partners for Conservation program and the Fall Covers for Spring Savings Premium Crop Insurance Discount program have been brought together in the same bill (HB179 and SB2474) as the Partners for Nutrient Loss Reduction Act, pairing the state’s primary conservation programs together towards achieving the goals of the NLRS.

“This is a big deal. These bills need to be passed and funded this year or they could disappear, and Illinois funding disparities could get a lot worse at a moment when there is still so much work that needs to be done,” Webster said. 

In addition to AFT, the ag practices letter to Gov. Pritzker was authored by Illinois Corn, Prairie Rivers Network, Illinois Soybean Association, Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation, The Wetlands Initiative, The Conservation Fund and others.