Illinois STAR's Mission

STAR was born out of a grassroots, farmer-driven movement to help guide agricultural producers in meeting conservation goals established to reduce soil and nutrient losses and address local water quality challenges. In 2017, two Illinois farmers teamed up with the Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District (CCSWCD) to design a simple, voluntary tool to evaluate conservation progress and meaningfully address local resource concerns using sound science, producer experience, and conservation expertise. Key organizations across the state including Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), American Farmland Trust (AFT), Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), Illinois Corn Growers Association, Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD), and other conservation-focused partners provided expertise and guidance on the project. 

Designed as a simple, straightforward, and easy-to-use tool, the STAR concept grew to include an implementation framework and was soon adapted and expanded into other Midwestern and Western states to meet their local needs. In September of 2023, STAR made its debut as a national nonprofit, making the differentiation between “STAR” the national organization and “Illinois STAR” the affiliated program in Illinois.