By Robert Rowe

April is Earth Month, culminating in Earth Day on April 22nd,  and we will be, as usual, participating in Earth Day Celebrations at Forest Park Nature Center.

But at HOI Sierra Club we started early this year—started literally from the Ground-Up by celebrating Soil Health Week by going to the state capitol in Springfield to rally and lobby on Soil Health Day, March 5th. We will also be holding a Composting Workshop on Sunday, March 9th,  at 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria.

Soil Health Lobby Day, March 5th

The soil is the single greatest natural resource we have in Illinois. It feeds us, it locks up carbon, it is alive, and it is overused and under threat by an agricultural industry that is chemically dependent. But maintaining soil health is of existential importance. The lobby day was the effort of a several environmental partners and the agenda was to meet with legislators to promote a set of bills aimed at maintaining and encouraging support for our farmers to engage in sustainable practices. If you are a farmer, landowner, or just enjoy eating, contact your state legislators to support these bills.

Restoring funding for Illinois’ 97 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SB1689)
Restores the $4,000,000 that was cut from the Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) operational budget back in 2024 and brings their budget back to level funding. SWCD funding now stands at pre-2000 funding levels and will severely impact the farmers who rely on them and the SWCD employees' livelihoods. Fewer boots-on-the-ground assistance for farmers means that Illinois can expect to see more erosion of our soil, more runoff and pollution in Illinois waterways, and less habitat for wildlife and pollinators.

Reward Farmers for Planting Cover Crops (HB 3992/SB 2625)
At Illinois' current pace, reaching our Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy goals will take two centuries—but cover crops can help change that. As one of the most effective in-field practices for reducing nutrient loss, cover crops also serve as a climate-smart risk mitigation tool, acting as a carbon sink while improving soil health. The Fall Covers for Spring Savings (FCSS) Program supports Illinois farmers by offering a $5 per acre discount on crop insurance premiums for those who plant cover crops in the fall. This investment would add 890,000 acres to the program, expanding access to a proven, in-demand conservation tool. 

Compost Market Development and Study (SB1397)
Compost and digestate feed the soil, boosting nutrients, moisture retention, and microbial life—creating healthier, more resilient land from the ground up. SB1397 strengthens the Illinois market by funding and studying their uses on agricultural land to improve soil health, reduce food waste, and support sustainable farming. The bill provides $2 million annually (2026-2028) to help offset application costs, with up to 100% coverage for public and nonprofit-owned farms and 90% coverage for private farms. Partnering with Prairie Research Institute of University of Illinois, it also funds research on finished compost and digestate benefits, including soil health, carbon sequestration, and reduced reliance on synthetic fertilizers

Illinois Natural Resources and Agricultural Legacy Act (HB 2475/SB1879)
Illinois is currently not taking full advantage of federal conservation matching funds, leaving significant dollars unused. The Legacy Act addresses this gap by equipping the state with the tools to capture and match these funds through the creation of the Ag Legacy Fund at the Department of Natural Resources. By combining federal, local, and private dollars, the Act not only protects valuable agricultural land and open spaces but also supports ecological health, strengthens resilient food systems, and safeguards scenic landscapes for future generations.

Be on the lookout for other lobby days this spring. We will announce them on our web page and via social media. Lobby days are a way you can participate in your Sierra Club and learn first-hand about how your legislative process functions. Follow us on Facebook to see photos and reports from these events.

Composting 101 - A Hands-on Family-Friendly Workshop

Join us Sunday, March 9th, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria, and learn how to start composting at home. This workshop will teach how to set up a compost area to turn your kitchen and garden waste into healthy soil. The workshop will cover different composting methods, from a simple on-the-ground compost area to a rotating drum device. It will include what material to compost and what to avoid. This is geared to families (children and adults), both beginners and experienced gardeners alike. See our calendar for more information.