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Announcements and Highlights

Two people pick up trash in the forest with gloves and a large green bag.

Trash Blast

Join us at Tower Rock in Hardin County on June 6 from 1:00-3:00pm for an opportunity to put your stewardship skills to work and help keep our forest areas beautiful. 

Click the photo for more details and to register!

Pink and purple petunias in a green house.

Dixon Springs Plant Sale

University of Illinois Extension invites the public to a plant sale at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center on May 3rd, 2025. The sale will be located under the pavilion near the administration building. Sales will begin no earlier than 9:00 a.m. and run until sold out or until 1:00 p.m.  Extension staff and Illinois Master Gardener volunteers will be available to answer questions and hand out information about certain topics. 

 

White chicken stands in tall grass.

Summer Twilight Series

For a decade, the Summer Twilight Series has been a beloved tradition in southern Illinois, bringing farmers, educators, and community members together to explore the diversity and innovation of local agriculture. Now in its tenth year, Illinois Extension is proud to continue this engaging series in 2025, offering four unique on-farm learning experiences throughout the growing season.

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Dixon Springs Agricultural Center
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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

News Releases
Horse bowl winners pose.
State horse bowl builds knowledge, lifelong friendships
Urbana, Ill. -- In 4-H, learning about horses means much more than learning to ride. Young people with a passion for horses participated in recent statewide educational contests related to the equine industry. University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H educational programs enhance members’ knowledge...
Winners pose.
Youth exhibit skills, gain self-confidence in horse speaking contest
Urbana, Ill. – The Illinois 4-H Horse Speaking contest helps youth gain self-confidence, courage and persuasiveness; share ideas with others; and develop the ability to speak in public to inform others about horse-related subjects and the 4-H Horse project. This year’s contest was held April 11-...
Hippology winners pose.
Youth demonstrate expert equine knowledge in hippology contest
Urbana, Ill. -- In 4-H, learning about horses means much more than learning to ride. Young people with a passion for horses participated in recent statewide educational contests related to the equine industry. 4-H’s educational programs enhance members’ knowledge of horse health, breed...

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