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many small cream colored larva feeding on the inside of a plant stem
Swede midge
Swede midge is an invasive pest of brassicas introduced to North America in 2000 where it was detected in Canada. Since then, it has been detected in...
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Fall is Here, so is El Niño!
Update from Trent Ford, Illinois State Climatologist (217-244-1330; twford@illinois.edu)September is...
cracks in bare soil inside and between raised beds inside high tunnel
From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Insects were thriving in the heat of September
The relentless heat and humidity of September are finally over. Lack of soil moisture and continued high temperatures created many noticeable cracks...
group of orange pumpkins in field beside green plants
From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Fall pumpkin and apple season is upon us
We are finally starting to feel a little more fall like in the region.  Up until the latter part of September we had maintained many days of...
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News Releases
A group of participants walking in a pumpkin field.
Local growers get fresh research and production strategies at Pumpkin Field Day
BELLEVILLE, Ill. — Attendees from across the Midwest braved the triple-digit temperatures to attend Pumpkin Field Day. The biannual event welcomed growers, educators, and industry partners for a hands-on pumpkin field day that highlighted the latest research, production strategies, and on‑farm...
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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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