In Illinois, both Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) have signed affiliate agreements with national STAR to be the state-level sponsors of the STAR Framework in Illinois. Their staff sit on committees at the state and national level and provide programmatic support. Illinois STAR is managed by the Illinois STAR Coordinator, Natalie Kerr, and Illinois STAR Assistant Coordinator, Bruce Henrikson, under the direction of the Illinois STAR Steering Committee and Illinois STAR Science Committee.
The Illinois STAR team is instrumental in aiding producers as well as conservation professionals across the state to effectively use the STAR Tool. This dedicated group is composed of both full-time and part-time staff members, each playing a vital role in the success of the program. The full-time Illinois STAR Coordinator forms the foundation of the team, ensuring that the program's objectives are consistently achieved. She is responsible for developing strategic plans, engaging with stakeholders, and managing the program's overall operations. Meanwhile, the part-time staff contribute essential support by bringing specialized skills and knowledge to the table. They concentrate on particular projects or tasks, offering insights and expertise in their areas of strength.
Illinois STAR Coordinator
Illinois STAR Assistant Coordinator | Champaign County SWCD
Administrative Coordinator | Champaign County SWCD
Communications Coordinator | AIM Initiative
Soil Health Outreach Associate | AIM Initiative
Urban Agriculture Researcher
Data Analyst
The Illinois STAR Steering committee meets virtually once a month and is responsible for making decisions regarding Illinois STAR goals, structure, and purpose. This includes coordinating with national STAR, identifying potential grants and funding opportunities for Illinois STAR, determining state-level policies, accepting/denying Navigator requests or membership of other committees, and coordinating the day-to-day functions of staff. The committee has members from a broad set of stakeholder groups, and always includes farmers.
Chair and Farmer | Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District
Vice Chair and Farmer | Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District
Terra Economics, LLC
Illinois Agriculture Program Director | The Nature Conservancy
Program Director | National STAR
CCA, Director of Conservation and Nutrient Stewardship | Illinois Corn Growers Association
Illinois STAR Assistant Coordinator | Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District
Agronomic Services Coordinator | Illinois Soybean Association
Supervisor | Bureau of Land and Water Resources, Illinois Department of Agriculture
Science and Research Director | National STAR
Division Manager of Natural Resources | Illinois Department of Agriculture
Midwest Deputy Director | American Farmland Trust
Midwest Program Assistant | American Farmland Trust
Executive Director | National STAR
The Illinois STAR Science Advisory Committee meets virtually, approximately quarterly, and is responsible for providing independent, objective, and scientifically credible guidance to the Illinois STAR Steering Committee. These expert opinions are given as individuals, not as representatives of their respective organizations. They review the field form, scoring system, and outcomes estimations annually.
Illinois STAR is one of many ongoing conservation efforts in the state, and the Science Advisory committee performs an annual review of the field form and scoring system behind the Illinois STAR Tool to advise updates, revision, and development priorities. They also review annual reports of estimated environmental outcomes. Their guidance ensures that the Illinois STAR Stool stays up to date with the latest research, priority crop types, and natural resource concerns across Illinois.
Principal Research Specialist in Agriculture | University of Illinois Natural Resources and Sciences
NREC Research Coordinator | Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC)
Extension Educator, Local Food Systems and Small Farms | University of Illinois Extension
Illinois STAR Assistant Coordinator | Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District
Senior Climate and Soil Health Specialist | American Farmland Trust
Board Member and Farmer | Piatt County Soil and Water Conservation District
Director of Nutrient Stewardship | Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association
Independent Consultant
Assistant Professor of Agronomy & Soil Fertility Extension Specialist | University of Illinois Department of Crop Sciences
Professor of Soil Science/Agronomy | Illinois State University Soil Sciences
Research Data Scientist | Illinois Soybean Association
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