URBANA, Ill. – Farming is changing. It’s hard for everyone, small farmers and commercial producers alike, to keep up with the latest research, changing climates, emerging pesticide resistance, new crop varieties all while trying to stay healthy and productive.

For more than 100 years, University of Illinois Extension has worked with agricultural communities to empower them to meet challenges with confidence. Now, you can be part of the future of farming in Illinois by taking a few minutes to share your thoughts with Extension researchers online at go.illinois.edu/AgNeeds.

“This survey will help us get an accurate picture of what our agriculture stakeholders’ needs are,” says Katie Bell, Illinois Extension local foods small farms educator.

Extension agriculture educators regularly ask those working in the agricultural industry about their concerns and use the feedback to develop trainings for the public on new and emerging topics and develop research projects that address gaps in current understanding of crop sciences.

“Knowing what our farm communities are thinking about helps us prioritize what research projects our scientists can focus their efforts on so we can then share accurate information that our stakeholders can trust,” Bell says.

The survey is anonymous and open to all Illinois producers and agriculture industry professionals now through March 2022. It will take 10 to 20 minutes to complete.

For more information about the survey, contact Bell at (618) 687-1727 or klbell@illinois.edu.

SOURCE: Katie Bell, Local Foods and Small Farms Educator, University of Illinois Extension
WRITER: Emily Steele, Media Communications Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension

ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.