Meet with agriculture specialists and learn about the latest research impacting farms today.
Attendees at the Greater Peoria Farm Show can visit the Extension booth during show hours on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to discuss questions and find resources on farm leasing, grain marketing, farm estate planning, fertilizer management, fertility programs, nutrient loss, cover crops, and reduced tillage. The booth will also feature information about the Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs and Conservation@Home.
Throughout each day, Extension educators and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty will be sharing informative presentations. New this year, Certified Crop Advisers can earn continuing education units by attending the presentations. See the schedule below for details.
There is no cost to attend, and parking in the Peoria Civic Center parking lots is free.
Educational Sessions
Sessions are one hour long unless noted otherwise. All sessions except Sojourner: Life on the Blacktop and Small Forest Restoration Management are eligible for continuing education units for Certified Crop Advisers.
Tuesday
9 to 11 a.m. | Grain Market Outlook and Challenges, Farm Income and Return Outlook, and Strategic Decisions Facing Farmers
farmdoc team
Using the latest farm data, the farmdoc team will provide an outlook on farm income, grain markets, and help farmers with strategic 2026 decisions.
1 p.m. | Using Soil, Tissue, and Grain Testing to Guide Fertilizer Management
John Jones, Assistant Professor of Agronomy and Soil Fertility Extension Specialist
Soil and tissue testing are diagnostic tools with varying degrees of potential to guide fertilizer management accurately. Learn about updates from recent research to provide new soil-test P and K interpretations for Illinois, along with the potential to use in-season plant nutrient analysis and grain analysis at harvest.
2 p.m. | Plant Abnormalities and Their Diagnoses
Muhammad Babadoost, Plant Pathology Extension Specialist
Establishment of plants is affected by many biotic agents and abiotic causals. Major biotic agents include pathogens, animals, and plants. Abiotic causals are temperature, moisture, light, lack of oxygen, air pollution, nutrients, soil pH, pesticides, and cultural practices. This presentation will focus on diagnosing abnormalities of plants caused by pathogens and abiotic causals.
Wednesday
9 a.m. | Sojourner: Life on the Blacktop
Todd Gleason, Extension Farm Broadcaster
Extension Farm Broadcaster Todd Gleason will discuss his career and travels across the blacktops of the Midwest and around the planet while exploring what he sees next for agriculture. (Not eligible for CEUs.)
10 a.m. | Exploring the Role of Agriculture in Carbon and Other Ecosystem Markets
Talon Becker, Commercial Agriculture Extension Specialist, and Chloe Wardropper, Assistant Professor of Natural Resource Policy and Sustainable Landscapes
Explore farmers’ and other agricultural stakeholders’ opinions of ecosystem markets, with a specific focus on carbon markets. The presenters will provide an overview of how these markets function, findings from studies on challenges and opportunities for agriculture, and engage the audience in polling to gauge their perceptions.
1 p.m. | Conservation Solutions for Nutrient Loss Reduction in Illinois
Rachel Curry, Extension Agriculture and Agribusiness Educator
Nutrient loss impacts both farm profitability and the environment. This presentation will highlight Illinois’ Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and show how conservation practices can keep nutrients on fields while safeguarding local water quality.
2 p.m. | Farm Succession Planning
Reagen Tibbs, Extension Commercial Agriculture Educator
Learn tips on how to begin the conversation about farm succession, as well as resources to help guide the process of creating and implementing a succession plan.
Thursday
9 a.m. | Insect Management in Corn and Soybeans
Nick Seiter, Assistant Professor and Field Crops Entomology Extension Specialist
Learn about recent developments in insect pest management, including Bt resistance in western corn rootworm and treatment guidelines for soybean pests.
10 a.m. | Small Forest Restoration Management
Karen Weigelt, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resource Program Coordinator
Learn about small forest management with Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Coordinator and forest landowner Karen Weigelt. She will present ways to promote biodiversity and ecosystem health in your small forest using responsible land use practices. (Not eligible for CEUs.)
