Blog Posts

white flowers on an apple tree branch
Read article: From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Storm damage from early March changes research plans
From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Storm damage from early March changes research plans
The mid March cold snap brought temperatures in the 18 to 22 degree range across southern Illinois. Double row covers on plasticulture strawberries...
blueberry flower bud opening
Read article: From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Perennial fruit crops moving ahead despite cold weather
From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Perennial fruit crops moving ahead despite cold weather
We have been on the spring roller coaster for temperatures in southern Illinois.  March 15-17 saw temperatures plummet, with March 16 not even...
mature summer cover crops growing
Read article: From Central Illinois (Bloomington): Cover crop residue and spring growth at Unity Community Center Research and Demonstration Area
From Central Illinois (Bloomington): Cover crop residue and spring growth at Unity Community Center Research and Demonstration Area
Over the last 5 years, efforts have been made at the Unity Community Center’s Research and Demonstration Area Garden in Normal, IL to rejuvenate...
clear plastic tightly covering rows of plants inside a high tunnel
Read article: From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Solarization started for overwintering cover crops
From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Solarization started for overwintering cover crops
After the success of solarizing cover crops last year in our high tunnel, we will be covering all the beds with clear plastic mulch to achieve...

News Releases

Tara Heath staff photo
Tara Heath promoted to Extension crops educator
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - The agriculture industry continues to change rapidly, impacting everyone from the producers to the industry professionals to the food consumers. University of Illinois Extension is growing its team of commercial agriculture educators to provide research-based, unbiased...
A person flying a drone above a herd of beef cattle standing in a pasture for grazing management.
Explore cutting-edge agricultural technology with I-FARM Learning Series
URBANA, Ill. — Identifying on-farm needs to increase efficiency, safety, practicality, and overall profitability is where ideas for adapting technology begin. From there, advancing technology for productivity and sustainability seems to be more within reach in a changing agricultural landscape....

Videos

Cover Crops and Gardens

There is a lot of talk about the use of cover crops in agricultural settings. What about in gardens? Duane Friend discusses cover crop use in gardens, its benefits, and field demonstrations of its potential.

Staff