A greenhouse with handing baskets of vibrant pink and white flowers.

2026 Southern Illinois Twilight Series

Learn more and register

Events and News

Let's Walk for Wellness!

Walking is one of the most accessible and effective ways to improve overall health. Let's Walk for Wellness! is a program that will help you connect with others, build confidence, and take meaningful steps towards better health.

Join Extension at the Paul Emery Park in Harrisburg and take the first step to better health!

Welcome Fall with new Four Seasons Gardening webinars!

It is that time again when shifting seasons are near. Keep the gardening conversations growing with two new webinars from University of Illinois Extension’s free Four Seasons Gardening series.

Bookmark the fall series webinars happening on Sept. 15 and Oct. 20

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 ongoing Ag research in Southern Illinois on the Dixon Spring Ag Center webpage.

Dixon Springs Agricultural Center

Events

Planning for Community Geothermal: Three Communities, Three Approaches Toward Energy Independence

September 29, 2026

IL 4-H Building Brick Build Challenge - October

October 1, 2026 - October 31, 2026

Community Science in Your Backyard

October 1, 2026

Trash Blast - Bean Ridge

October 2, 2026

County

Alexander

Pulaski

Union

Massac

Johnson

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News Releases

Volunteers in costumes at Boo at the Slough Event

September 24, 2026

Boo at the Slough invites families to learn about swamp creatures
CYPRESS, Ill. — Vultures, snapping turtles and cottonmouths, oh my! Do you want to learn more about creatures of the swamp? Come out to the Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center, 8885 IL-37, Cypress, on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for...

A screenshot of the homepage of the farm scene and text from the Agricultural Injury Dashboard.

September 23, 2026

U of I researchers develop interactive tool to track agricultural injuries, strengthen prevention efforts
URBANA, Ill. — Agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Each year, vehicles, machinery, environmental hazards, and other incidents cause thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities. A thorough understanding of the main risks is key to preventing...

September 17, 2026

Learn what research says about everyday health challenges
URBANA, Ill. — With health information available at the click of a button, finding trustworthy, evidence-based resources can be challenging. As misinformation continues to spread across digital platforms, access to accurate health guidance is increasingly important. In response, educators,...

Rodney Johnson (ACES associate dean for research) and Matthew Vann (associate dean and Extension director) standing, left to right

September 17, 2026

College of ACES, Extension deepen research partnership with $2M investment
More than a century ago, the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign welcomed ...

A group of participants walking in a pumpkin field.

September 15, 2026

Local growers get fresh research and production strategies at Pumpkin Field Day
BELLEVILLE, Ill. — Attendees from across the Midwest braved the triple-digit temperatures to attend Pumpkin Field Day. The biannual event welcomed growers, educators, and industry partners for a hands-on pumpkin field day that highlighted the latest research, production strategies, and on‑farm...

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