News

Spring & Summer Drainage Water Management for Grain Crops

As I write this article on the last day of March 2025, about 3 to 4 inches of precipitation is expected across the state of Ohio by April 7. The 30-year normal monthly precipitation for April is about 4 inches. This means, you may have received an entire month’s worth of rain in just one week! The National Weather Service (NWS) recently issued the 2025 U.S. Spring Outlook, covering precipitation, temperature, flooding, and droughts. You can find more details on the Climate Prediction Center website.

From Farm to Filtration: Conservation in Action

On April 3rd, Illinois farmers, agriculture professionals, water treatment experts, and the newly elected Mayor of Bloomington came together bright and early at Davis Lodge in Hudson, IL, for a day-long event entitled “From Farm to Filtration: A Tour of Conservation in Action.” The event was hosted by Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP), Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC), and the McLean Soil and Water Conservation District.

ISAP's 2024 Annual Report

ISAP has published the 2024 Annual Report recapping the exciting achievements and strides made by the partnership over the past year!
ISAP’s 2024 highlight reel includes celebrating another Illinois Soil Health Week, selecting a new Soil Health Leadership Program cohort, launching the Financial INcentives Database Tool, convening Alphabet Soup Network at the Illinois State Fair, hosting the 2024 Risk Management Conference, welcoming new members, and more!

Tax Season Cleanup: Which Records Can You Toss?

If you’ve filed your 2024 tax return, you may be eager to do some spring cleaning, starting with tax-related paper and digital clutter. The documentation needed to support a tax return may include receipts, bank and investment account statements, K-1s, W-2s, and 1099s. How long must you save these records? Three years is the general rule. But don’t be hasty: Failure to keep a paper trail for the information reported on a tax return could lead to problems if the IRS audits it.

Payroll Fraud Threats Inside and Outside Your Company

Payroll fraud schemes can be costly. According to a 2024 Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) study, the median loss generated by payroll fraud incidents is $50,000. It’s essential to know the payroll schemes making the rounds and how to prevent them or at least catch them before they go on very long.