EWING, Ill. – What is now the Ewing Demonstration Center was established as a University of Illinois experimental site in 1909 with the donation of the original 20-acre tract to the University from Ewing College. At that time, many of the experimental plot areas that are still used today were first established, and field operations began in 1910. 

Steeped in rich history, the Center has served as a place where area farmers and agricultural professionals could work with University researchers to develop and implement research that would be most beneficial to the local farming community. The tradition continues with an annual Agronomy Field Day. Each year, various educators and campus faculty meet on the grounds to provide best management practices for local growers. The 2023 program included concurrent presentations at field stations with topics relevant to today’s growers. Topics included soil health, phosphorus loss reductions, Illinois AgrAbility, and cover crop systems.

Ewing Demonstration Center has an advisory council that supports local staff by bringing the perspective of the local farming community to the Center. Members address and make recommendations on planning, field operations, expansion, and other relevant issues. Each year, the council recognizes a “Friend of Ewing” for their contributions to support the development and growth of the Center. This year, the council selected two individuals to receive the award: Nathan Johanning and State Representative Dave Severin.

Johanning served as a Local Foods and Small Farms Educator in the region for many years,leading research efforts at Ewing Demonstration Center. In addition to conducting trials and demonstrations, Johanning organized many field day events focused on row crop agronomy and cover crops, notably, pumpkin production field days that drew in attendees from several surrounding states. He now serves as a Commercial Agriculture Educator in Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties and continues southern Illinois agriculture research at the SIU Belleville Research Center and other on-farm locations. 

Representative Severin has been a long-time supporter of agriculture in the region and has attended various events at the Ewing Demonstration Center. He has taken these opportunities to engage with local farmers and others that attend these programs, and the board appreciates his efforts to represent the farmers and other people in his district that rely on agriculture for their livelihood.

Bruce Morrison, president of the Ewing Advisory Council, was in attendance at the field day to present plaques to this year’s awardees.

“Despite the heat, I thought this year’s program was well-attended and an overall success. I saw several new faces and a lot of young farmers, which is what we need to see,” Bruce Morrison.

To learn more about upcoming programming with Extension, visit extension.illinois.edu/fjprw.