Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking contractual support for approximately 15 hours per week for 10 months (November 2024 – August 2025) to conduct the literature review and data extraction component of the STAR science development process for urban agriculture in Illinois (details noted in Literature Review Description below) and generally support the exploration of creating a Field Form and Scoring System using the STAR framework for urban agriculture, diversified food systems, and/or specialty crops in Illinois. The contract will support the credibility and standardization of STAR science development by cataloguing quantitative evidence of conservation practice impacts on natural resource concerns to inform field form and scoring system development for urban agriculture systems in Illinois.

National STAR Overview
Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (STAR) was launched in 2023 to build on the successful development of state-level STAR programs designed to promote and recognize the conservation efforts of farmers in addressing local environmental challenges and natural resource concerns. STAR is a national, non-profit organization that helps farmers and ranchers adopt, evaluate, and benefit from voluntary conservation practices on their agricultural lands. Through its network of state Affiliates and partners, the organization collaboratively tailors its innovative STAR framework to connect producers with tools, resources, markets, and incentive programs to grow conservation implementation at scale across all kinds of agriculture.

Created for producers by producers, the STAR Tool is a simple, free, and confidential resource that generates a 1-to-5 STAR rating to evaluate conservation progress on individual fields and provides tailored recommendations and resources to enable conservation progress. STAR ratings are guided by science and expertise to address local resource concerns. The nationally standardized 1-5 scale gives producers, conservation partners, and supply chain partners a clear and credible pathway to incentivize and reward conservation practice adoption – no matter where producers are on their conservation journey. National STAR is leading the coordination, development, alignment, and expansion of the STAR through Affiliate organizations across the US.

Contractor responsibilities include:

• Review list of studies compiled by IL STAR demonstrating the impacts of conservation practices on natural resource concerns for urban agriculture systems in Illinois
• Filter list of studies based on an established set of criteria to determine suitability for data extraction
• Identify gaps and document additional citations for possible consideration
• Extract relevant data from the final list of studies and log into impact database provided by IL STAR.
• Flag for future review any outcomes measurement and quantification tools and methodologies referenced in the literature with application to conservation in urban agriculture systems
• As time permits, co-develop state-specific conservation impact matrices with national STAR Science & Research Director

Estimated Hours and Pay

• Approximately 15 hours per week through August 2025, based on the number of publications to be reviewed at an estimated 15-20 minutes per publication, and other support.
• Consultant’s rate will be commensurate with experience.
• Consultant may work remotely.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have or be pursuing a PhD in a field related to agriculture, natural resources, sustainability, and/or food systems, and have familiarity with the Illinois agricultural system. Experience with Illinois specialty crops, urban agriculture, environmental impacts, the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, or the Natural Resources Conservation Service is preferred. Candidates with sufficient experience in relevant academic research but without a PhD will be considered.