Specialty Crops

Events

Blog Posts
row of green tomato plants in a high tunnel
Early observations from high tunnel determinate tomato variety trial
Historically, applied fruit and vegetable research conducted at the University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Center in southern Illinois has...
large green leaves on a pumpkin plant in a field
2026 Recommended Pumpkin Spray Schedule
Important ConsiderationsCheck The Cucurbit Downy Mildew Forecast Homepage for...
several green tomato fruits on plant
From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Demonstration and research crops off to good start
New plastic was finally able to be installed on the middle high tunnel on May 12. Wind conditions were calm and the process of reskinning took 8 of...
black and red raspberry fruits on a plant
From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Small fruit harvest ramping up but so is fireblight
May has been a very busy month out in the field. The weather has been variable but has given growers multiple opportunities for field work and spring...
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News Releases
Auditorium at Stateline Fruit and Vegetable growers conference
Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference Recap
Our 30th Annual Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference was held on Monday, February 16, in Rockford. Nearly 120 growers and community college students attended this event, which focuses on timely updates for fruit and vegetable growers in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. We...
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Videos
Mushroom Production on Small Farms

Direct market farmers, homesteaders, land-owners, hobby farms, and backyard growers can learn practices to improve production and increase profit.

Growing Shiitake Mushrooms

On this week’s Good Growing podcast we talk with Illinois Extension local foods educator Nick Frillman about growing gourmet shiitake mushrooms in your own backyard. Nick shows us the tools and methods used to turn fresh cut logs of white oak and sugar maple into inoculated “bolts” that will...
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Staff