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Upcoming Programs

A field sprayer travels between early row crops.

In-person pesticide applicator training clinics, testing offered statewide

Lead with experience, safety, awareness, and knowledge to help ensure safer pesticide application with training from the University of Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program. Sign up for an in-person training and testing clinic offered across Illinois from December through April.

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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

Speaking for Illinois 4-H Training November

November 17, 2025

4-H Building Bricks Challenge Series: December Challenge

December 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025

Beef Quality Assurance Training | Teutopolis

December 2, 2025

Adult Mental Health First Aid for the Agricultural Community

December 2, 2025

More Events

News Releases

Looking into a side view of soybean plants growing in soil with below soil level roots exposed

November 12, 2025

Illinois Extension Agronomy Summits equip farmers with strategies for year ahead
URBANA, Ill. — With harvest season behind us and spring planting on the horizon, now is the time to prepare for the year ahead. University of Illinois Extension invites farmers, agronomists, and agriculture professionals to attend one of the...

Youth winners pose with their winning creations.

November 10, 2025

Young builders bring stories to life in 4-H challenge
URBANA, Ill. — From mad scientists to haunted trees, Illinois 4-H youth let their imaginations run wild in October’s statewide 4-H Creating with Building Bricks Challenge, themed “Monster Mash: Build a spooky creature or monster.” More than 80 youth from across Illinois...

a gray and yellow songbird perched on a branch

November 4, 2025

Lost or leading the way? Rare birds may signal shifting migration routes
On a 2009 hike in the Huachuca Mountains of southeastern Arizona, a group of birders heard an otherworldly, ethereal bird song floating, flute-like, through the canyon. The hikers identified the singer as a brown-backed solitaire, recognizing...

A large room completely filled with people sitting in chairs at tables listening to a training presentation.

November 1, 2025

Register for in-person pesticide applicator training clinics, testing offered statewide
URBANA, Ill. — Lead with experience, safety, awareness, and knowledge to help ensure safer pesticide application with training from the University of Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program. Sign up for an in-person training and testing...

October 30, 2025

Master Naturalists connect through community and conservation at annual conference
OGLESBY, Ill. — Of all the state parks in Illinois, Starved Rock has the most visitors, and this October, it also welcomed University of Illinois Extension’s Master Naturalists to explore and learn together. Against a backdrop of migrating pelicans floating in the Illinois River at the base of...

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Programs We Offer

Local Foods and Small Farms