PEORIA, Ill. — Wrap up harvest season by visiting with agriculture specialists from University of Illinois Extension at the Greater Peoria Farm Show, Nov. 28-30.

Extension is excited to be a part of Illinois’ largest indoor farm show following a busy fall harvest season. Staff will be on-site to meet with attendees, share harvest stories, and provide the latest news and resources from across the state.

Extension Assistant Dean and Agriculture and Agribusiness Program Leader Travis Burke shares, “Meeting Illinois farmers, landowners, ranchers, workers, advisors, and families where they are today is the mission of Illinois Extension.

“Starting conversations and listening to those individuals living today’s farming experience is how our experts can use research to sustainably develop and find ways to impact lives, improve profitability, and further advance the agriculture industry,” says Burke.  

Show attendees will have the opportunity to bring questions and have discussions around today’s agriculture and horticulture hot topics. Extension’s commercial agriculture educators will provide resources on farm leasing, grain marketing, farm estate planning, soil fertility, farm drainage, digital technology, variety selection, and fertility programs. In addition, attendees can learn more about technology’s impact on ag, including the use of drones and how they improve profitability.

Horticulture programs, including Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists, are a large part of Extension’s outreach efforts in communities. Look for resources on becoming part of those volunteer programs and topics, including flowers, conservation, vegetable gardening, native plants, composting, soil and soil testing, pollinators, and more.

“Agriculture is a large and essential part of the greater Peoria area, and we’re excited to welcome guests from all over the state and beyond to experience it,” says Earl Allen, Extension county director serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties. “The show will be a glimpse into the future of the agriculture industry in the Midwest.”

Illinois Extension educators and specialists will be on location at the show and available for media interviews during show hours on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Greater Peoria Farm Show will be held at the Peoria Civic Center located at 201 SW Jefferson Avenue. There is no cost to attend, and parking in the Civic Center lots is free.

For more on Illinois Extension’s impact on agriculture and to find a local office, visit extension.illinois.edu.   

SOURCE: Kevin Brooks, farm business management and marketing educator, Illinois Extension

WRITER: Jenna Braasch, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension

Photo Caption: Extension Digital Agriculture Specialist Dennis Bowman discusses the impacts of drone and robot seeders in agriculture. Photo by Emily Steele, University of Illinois Extension. The photo in this article is available to download for media use.