Environment
Paying farmers by how much they reduce runoff saves money and supports conservation, study finds
A study found a Wisconsin program that pays producers for measured reductions in phosphorus runoff was more cost-effective than a popular federal conservation program.
This 12-foot grass could help farmers earn some extra revenue — and keep their soil healthy
Giant miscanthus is a perennial grass that can be used for energy, building materials and animal bedding. Researchers say it can be planted alongside corn and soybeans and harvested in the winter, offering farmers a way to diversify their income.
Decatur undertaking study of water sources with an eye on economic development
Decatur’s main source of water is Lake Decatur, but residents rely on the Mahomet Aquifer during droughts.
Conservationists sound the alarm on Trump’s Endangered Species Act changes
The Trump administration is narrowing longstanding interpretations of what it means to harm plants and animals protected under the Endangered Species Act. Conservation experts say the change will pose greater challenges for already-vulnerable populations, and several groups have sued the administration.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign hosts first of its kind summit on a perennial grass
Miscanthus is a perennial grass plant that can be used for energy and building materials. Researchers hope it will be widely adapted by farmers and the bioenergy and bioproduct sectors.
Data centers will cost ComEd $3 billion but consumer groups worry Illinois households will be on the hook
The projected costs were revealed in expert testimony filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission, and it also showed the utility has only collected about $721 million in deposits from data center developers.
Hunting and foraging classes gain popularity, as more people want to connect with nature
People have harvested wild foods for millennia, but learning how to do it today is harder, because fewer people have those skills. These groups are teaching people to eat “field to fork” again.
Data center development is paused in Champaign County. That’s not curbing interest from developers though
Data Center developers are looking for land to build the often-sprawling buildings that hold servers and require large amounts of electricity and water. That’s happening while the county has a one-year moratorium on new data center development.
Rural areas reap economic benefits from wind and solar projects, new Midwest study finds
Across the central U.S., more communities are passing ordinances to regulate renewable infrastructure development. A University of Missouri study examines the economic impact of renewable energy in rural areas.
Mahomet residents express frustration with village officials for signing data center NDA
Mahomet officials ended discussions with a data center developer last week, but residents are still frustrated by the process.
Champaign County officials vote down Mahomet-led effort to ban leaf burning
Mahomet officials were asking the Champaign County Board to ban leaf burning within 1,000 feet of the village.
This grain could be an answer to drought-prone fields – if more Americans eat it
More farmers are showing interest in sorghum, a drought-tolerant grain. The crop is poised to expand in the U.S. – especially if Americans start consuming it.