Kara Downin, Knox County SWCD — keeping your well sealed and your land in compliance

Kara Downin, Resource Conservationist with the Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District, joins Galesburg's Morning News to preview two upcoming events and a reminder for landowners enrolled in a federal conservation program. Topics covered in this interview: A well sealing demonstration on Thursday, June 25, at 10 a.m. on the Carlson property on County Road 9, across from Ameren State cost-share funds available for sealing abandoned wells — up to $500 for dug wells and $850 for drilled wells The Women and the Land: Spotlight on Conservation workshop on Friday, June 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wataga Fire Station, in partnership with University of Illinois Extension A reminder for landowners enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program — no mowing on contracted acres until after August 1 Small-scale soil testing kits and Plantskydd organic animal repellent available through the district   🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. To register for the Women and the Land workshop, visit registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/women-and-the-land-spotlight-on-conservation-knox-2026. RSVPs are due June 25. For more information on Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District programs and services, visit the district's Facebook page or stop by the USDA building, 233 S. Soangetaha Road, Suite 4 in Galesburg.