b'Habitat Work by Farmersand PartnersOver the last five years, farmers have made a concerted effort to establish pollinator and monarch habitat across the Illinois landscape. Many farmers have made changes on their own.Other farmers added habitat by participating in programs that provide technical and financial assistance. In addition, agricultural organizations began establishing their ownJeff OConnor stands in his programs and initiatives to plant pollinatorplanted pollinator habitathabitats and encouraging pollinator-friendly practices amongst their members. Kankakee Farmer Enjoys Educating Others About Monarch ConservationJeff OConnor, a farmer in Kankakee County, is happy to share his monarch-related experiences with others. He has spoken to numerous groups and is featured in the AITC Ag Magazine (Ag Mag) on pollinators. I enjoy educating people about the things that they can do to make a difference in monarch conservation, said OConnor. Conservation is a priority on Jeffs 1,200 acres of cropland. Over the last three years, Jeff has seeded 45 acres of CP42 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) pollinator habitat on marginal farmland. Jeff recently began a project to establish pollinator habitat on a steep road ditch that is adjacent to five acres of woodland. This wooded area is a resting area for migrating monarchs in the fall. The new pollinator habitat will help to serve as egg laying areas in the summer, as well as a food source for those migrating monarchs in the fall, said OConnor. Jeff has been involved in the SWCD at the local and state level and served as the chair of the county group. He attended the Monarch Summit held two years ago at the IDNR.Its amazing in these two years how many more people are interested in the plight and flight of the monarch. Theres a greater awareness thanks to the efforts of many ag groups.14Agricultures Successes in Sustaining Monarchs'