SIMPSON, Ill. – More Illinois specialty crop growers are planting in high tunnels to extend their growing season, increase crop diversity, achieve higher yields, and improve quality. Learn about high tunnel production and how research studies on biological insect control are benefiting both the agricultural community and the environment during a free program on July 17 as part of the Summer Twilight Series.
The program will take place at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, where participants can tour three commercial high tunnels, with one tunnel set up for hydroponic production and the other two utilizing permanent in-ground raised beds.
Since 2021, the on-site high tunnels have also served as a test site for research studies on biological insect control. Specialty Crops Entomologist Kacie Athey will discuss lessons learned from the four-year study, as well as insect identification and integrated pest management options for insect pests in high tunnels.
Local Foods and Small Farms Educator Bronwyn Aly will share observations from three years of no-till cover cropping ahead of tomato and pepper transplanting in high tunnel production, along with basic high tunnel vegetable production practices. The campus farm robotics team will be onsite to demonstrate robotic harvesting and discuss other ways to use robotic technology in a controlled environment production system.
Participants are invited to meet on Thursday, July 17, at 6 p.m. at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center at 354 IL-145, Simpson, IL 62985. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. To register, visit go.illinois.edu/twilightseries or call 618-695-2441.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the upcoming event, please contact Bronwyn Aly at baly@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your needs.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.