Ewing Demonstration Center
We know your success depends on your farm's profitability. To do that, you need high yield with reasonable inputs. While there is a lot of great information available for farmers, you may wonder if it applies to our region's growing conditions. Illinois Extension has trusted experts to provide best management practices for the southern Illinois farming community.
Ewing Demonstration Center has served the agricultural community of southern Illinois since 1910. The Center, operated by University of Illinois Extension and College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, drives research in the areas of:
- Insecticide and herbicide trials
- Variety and management trials for corn, soybean, sorghum, and wheat
- Cover crop management trials
For more than 50 years, the Center has featured no-till research and demonstration plots. It is located in Franklin County and offers representative growing conditions for southern Illinois.
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Ewing Demonstration Center Revenue
An overview of the plot fees and grain sales for Ewing Demonstration Center from 2021-2024.
Learn More About EDC
A Timeline of EDC
1910
Ewing College donates 20 acres to U of I for the purpose of research and demonstration, establishing Ewing Field. It is one of the 56 soil experiment fields established across Illinois during the early 1900's.
1911-1966
Ewing Field introduces agricultural limestone and cowpea (predecessor to modern soybeans). Repetitive research is conducted to establish benchmarks for southern Illinois soils.
1967
Ewing Field faces closure due to rising operating costs. Local extension advisors take over the operation. The name changes to Ewing Demonstration Center.
1969
No-till production practices are introduced.
Ewing Advisory Committee is formed, and local Extension advisors continue operations.
1978
EDC is one of 28 remaining experiment fields across Illinois.
1992
The original 20 acres are converted to continuous no-till.
2009-2019
EDC increases partnerships and expands research efforts in cooperation with industry and U of I Department of Crop Sciences.
2019-2020
EDC expands operation through rental of an additional 60 acres.
Advancement campaign launched to generate support for expansion and improvements.
2021-2023
Support expanded for EDC through hires of Farm Mechanic /Manager and Ag Technician II.
Advisory Committee
A special thanks to the Ewing Demonstration Center Advisory Board members who help identify local needs and connect the center with partnerships and resources. They also help increase community awareness of the center as a regional resource for area growers.
Louis Aldag
Terry Dagg
Jim Engelhardt
Dennis Epplin
Gerald Forbeck
Dennis Frey
Robby Gilliam
Ken Hamilton
Joe Heard
Marc Lamczyk
Mark Miller
Bruce Morrison
Jerry Seidel
Rick Walter
Terry Wyciskalla
Annual Reports
Ewing Demonstration Center annual reports give an overview of the research findings and takeaways from the past year. Full reports are available upon request by contacting Andy Fisher at andykf@illinois.edu.
For More Information
Dane Hunter
Talon Becker
