URBANA, Ill. — With the Midwest harvest season in the books and spring 2025 coming into view, plan to attend one of six University of Illinois Extension Agronomy Summits across the state. Attendees will hear research updates from university experts to gain insightful tips for making farm management decisions.

Expanding from one event in northern Illinois last year to now six, Agronomy Summits are touring throughout the state this January 2025. Attendees can expect topical sessions filled with the latest research updates from various crop science experts at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, Illinois Extension, as well as additional university and industry professionals.

Illinois Extension has worked to increase ag staff numbers to reach more local farmers and open communication channels. With those channels established, events like Agronomy Summits can be more customized, and staff can deliver updates on relevant topics that farmers are experiencing on their farms today.

“Many of the events all cover general topic sessions on soil health, insect and weed management, and crop markets,” says Emily Hansen, Extension commercial agriculture educator serving Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam Counties. “The part that the team is most excited about is offering more customized sessions using local agriculture statistics, discussions, and getting to see familiar faces in the audience.” 

Attendees can choose from six in-person locations and dates, including:

• Jan. 14: Peoria Agronomy Summit, East Peoria, cost $40. Register by Jan. 7 at go.illinois.edu/AGSPeoria.
• Jan. 16: Southwestern Agronomy Summit, Waterloo, cost $25. Register by Jan. 9 at go.illinois.edu/AGSWaterloo.
• Jan. 21: Springfield Agronomy Summit, Springfield, cost $30. Register by Jan. 14 at go.illinois.edu/AGSSpringfield.
• Jan. 23: Oglesby Agronomy Summit, Oglesby, cost $25. Register by Jan. 16 at go.illinois.edu/AGSOglesby.
• Jan. 28: Southeastern Agronomy Summit, Albion, free to attend. Register by Jan. 21 at go.illinois.edu/AGSAlbion.
• Jan. 29: Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit, Freeport, cost $25. Register by Jan. 22 at go.illinois.edu/AGSFreeport.

According to the Extension commercial agriculture team, attendees will walk away from Agronomy Summit events with research updates, resources, and new connections in their communities. The event is built to provide agriculturalists with tools and management considerations for continued farming success.

Continuing education units are available for Certified Crop Advisers covering a broad range of topics at in-person events. The CEU amount varies by location and specific details are available in the registration form.

Registration costs and planning for each in-person event vary by location. The Peoria, Albion, and Freeport events include a sponsor exhibit section. All events include presentations, light refreshments, and lunch. For complete event details, including presentation titles, presenters, agendas, and registration for all individual events, visit the links above.

For questions or if a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in this program, contact staff from the location event listed above. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.  

SOURCE: Emily Hansen, commercial agriculture educator, Illinois Extension 

WRITER: Jenna Braasch, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension