2026 Southern Illinois Twilight Series
Summer Twilight Series - Pink Tiger Farm
Pink Tiger Farm began five years ago when owners Brian Elias and Kyle McAdams left their busy Chicago careers to pursue a shared dream of farming. Believing store‑bought produce often lacks true flavor, they now focus on heirloom peppers and herbs, growing distinctive varieties like Hawaiian red turmeric and Aleppo peppers chosen for their heritage, taste, and cultural significance. Join the tour on July 20 to learn more about their farm and its locally grown products.
Summer Twilight Series - Mum and Pumpkin Farm
Get ready for fall with mums and pumpkins. Join Extension for the final installation of the Summer Twilight Series as we tour Friendly Farms, a southern Illinois family-owned farm specializing in growing mums and pumpkins. The program will highlight the farm’s growth from a half‑acre pumpkin patch in 2018 to producing thousands of mums annually. Attendees will learn about their production process, including sourcing, maintenance, marketing, sales, challenges faced, and future expansion plans.
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.
Events
Local Foods and Small Farms
4-H Youth Development
Food Access
Gardening
Master Gardener
Master Naturalists
Nutrition Education and Wellness
School and Community Programming