Research and Education Centers

Our work across the state relies heavily on a network of research and education centers.

Extension’s agricultural centers exist to provide direct service to crop producers, landowners, crop consultants, advisors, the agricultural industry, the green industry, and commercial growers. This group of centers is a system of field laboratories and classrooms accessible without charge to clientele. The centers provide resources where faculty and staff can conduct proof-of-concept research.

Illinois Extension Research Facilities

Crop Sciences Research and Education Center
Locally referred to as the South Farms, this 1,000 acre research farm sits south of campus and includes the Morrow Plots, the oldest continuous agricultural research field in the United States.
Dixon Springs Agricultural Center
Researchers at DSAC coordinate their programs to meet the needs of area farmers. Beef cattle research focuses on grazing management, nutrition, genetics, reproduction, and pest management.
Orr Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center
The Center herd resides on a 206 acre managed-intensive grazed pasture with winter cow feeding facilities. Orr conducts research on beef cattle nutrition, management, reproduction, genetics and grazing.
Northwestern Illinois Ag Research and Demo Center
This center is a 320 acre facility that is home to more than 50 research projects each year, including research on soil chemistry and fertility, weed science, entomology, plant pathology, pest management, and environmental quality.