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Dixon Springs Agricultural Center

The Dixon Springs Agricultural Center was established in 1934 near Simpson in Pope County. It is the largest experiment station of its kind east of the Mississippi River. DSAC links the laboratories and classrooms of University of Illinois and the USDA with the farms in Southern Illinois. Researchers at DSAC coordinate their programs to meet the needs of area farmers.

Learn more about Dixon Springs Ag Center and information about ongoing Ag research in Southern Illinois here: https://extension.illinois.edu/dsac

Dixon Springs Agricultural Center

Events

Be a Seed Shaker: Which Are Worth Saving?

September 30, 2025

4-H Building Bricks Challenge Series: October Challenge

October 1, 2025 - October 31, 2025

Take charge of your health

October 2, 2025

County

McDonough

Youth Mental Health First Aid for the Agricultural Community

October 2, 2025 - October 3, 2025

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News Releases

Master Gardeners looking at landscape simulation technology

September 16, 2025

2025 Master Gardener Conference celebrates 50 years of growth, connection  
URBANA, Ill. — Some moments of legacy are written down, others branch off the page beneath the canopy of a shady tree, in the scent of fresh herbs rubbed between fingertips, through butterfly-sculpted glass...

September 15, 2025

Drought is intensifying across Illinois
An extremely dry end to summer and start to fall has intensified the ongoing drought in central and southern Illinois and increased the fire and blowing dust risk as we approach harvest, according to Illinois State Climatologist...

September 9, 2025

Clues about vanishing whip-poor-wills uncovered at birds’ wintering grounds
URBANA, Ill. — Often heard and rarely seen, the Eastern Whip-poor-will and its namesake nighttime call is an iconic Midwestern woodland bird. But like many other insect-eating birds, its numbers are declining....

Darci Webber showing off a birds nest in a woodland

September 8, 2025

Sustaining a healthy world starts in your backyard
From your backyard to the global ecosystem, everything in nature is connected. A core University of Illinois Extension program area —...

September 5, 2025

Celebrate food safety month by exploring Extension resources
URBANA, Ill. — September marks National Food Safety Education Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of safe food handling practices across all food system sectors, from farm to table. Whether people grow, process, sell, donate, or consume food, everyone has a role in reducing...

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Programs We Offer

Local Foods and Small Farms