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Announcements and Highlights

Annie's Project: Empowering women in agriculture

Annie's Project is a six-week discussion-based workshop bringing women together to learn from experts in production, financial management, human resources, marketing, and the legal field. There's plenty of time for questions, sharing, reacting, and connecting with your presenters and fellow participants. It's a relaxed, fun, and dynamic way to learn, grow, and meet other farm women.

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.

Sustainable Living Series

Join us on March 28 at the White County Illinois Extension office for a live canning demonstration to help you get started on your canning journey. We will also discuss different types of canning, canning safety, and what can be canned. Before and after the program, you will have an opportunity to get your pressure canner tested.

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

Follow the Drop: Illinois Water from Source to Tap

March 13, 2025

4-H Shooting Sports Volunteer Certification Training Northern IL

March 15, 2025

Land Leasing Basics

March 17, 2025

Cool-Season Vegetables

March 18, 2025

More Events

News Releases

Winning photo showing a worm's eye view of black and white buildings.

March 11, 2025

Youth photography contest captures skills for the future
Champaign, Ill. – The Moments That Matter Photography Contest has announced its statewide winners, highlighting 4-H youth who used photography to tell powerful stories and showcase real-world...

Looking into a row of planted, growing seedling trays under grow lights.

March 10, 2025

Get a jump start on spring by starting seeds at home
URBANA — As spring creeps closer and closer, gardeners start to get the itch to go outside and start digging in the dirt. While it may still be too early to do that, seed starting is a popular way to kick off the gardening season. Benefits of Starting SeedsSeeds started...

February 28, 2025

Celebrate spring with the return of the Rain Garden Rumble native plant playoff
URBANA, Ill. — What’s a little friendly competition between plants? The annual Rain Garden Rumble returns this spring, giving nature and gardening enthusiasts a chance to root for their favorite native plants...

Two people sitting behind a table taking notes and bids at an auction.

February 28, 2025

Record-high results for 2025 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale
URBANA, Ill. — Strong tradition leads to strong results at the Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The sale held during the Illinois Beef Expo averaged $7,096 on 33 lots, reaching an all-time record-high average for...

A masked man with a headlight holds a bat in gloved hands

February 26, 2025

Genomic tools provide clearer view of health for endangered bats
URBANA, Ill. — How do wildlife researchers know when an endangered population is sick? They can detect infectious microbes in animal waste, but the presence of a microbe doesn’t always equate to impactful symptomatic infections. In a...

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Programs We Offer

Local Foods and Small Farms