PEORIA, Ill. — Meet with University of Illinois Extension agriculture experts and learn about the latest research affecting farms while attending the Greater Peoria Farm Show. Show attendees can visit the Illinois Extension booth during show hours on Tuesday, Dec. 1 and Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees can discuss questions and find resources on artificial intelligence, drones, extreme weather, farm safety, mental health, drainage, leasing, horticulture, and estate planning.
Illinois Extension experts and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty will also share useful presentations on issues that will impact plans for the 2027 growing season. Topics will include crop disease management, fertilizer decisions, weather and climate risks, timber management, grain marketing, and farm estate planning. Certified Crop Advisors can earn continuing education units by attending the presentations. See the full schedule of presentations at go.illinois.edu/GreaterPeoriaFarmShow.
“Illinois Extension will be on site delivering timely, research-based information to help producers navigate today’s agricultural challenges and opportunities,” says Illinois Extension Farm Business Management and Marketing Educator Kevin Brooks. “Along with our expert-led displays, we are looking forward to our educational sessions that will provide practical strategies for improving profitability, resiliency, and long-term farm success.”
Illinois Extension’s agriculture and agribusiness educators partner with state and local organizations and work with faculty and other experts to connect people with the most recent research and trustworthy information. These partnerships support commercial field crop and livestock producers, Certified Crop Advisors, other agriculture professionals, specialty growers, local and urban food system participants, gardeners, and other community members.
“Today’s farm families face many challenges in an ever-complex world, and Illinois Extension is here to help them make decisions,” says Janice McCoy, Illinois Extension associate director for Region 2, which covers the west-central portion of the state. “The Greater Peoria Farm Show is a great opportunity for those interested in agriculture to learn more from experts and receive practical production recommendations. Attendees can browse the latest equipment and agricultural products and see informative presentations on timely topics such as estate planning, commodity markets, disease challenges, and more.”
The Greater Peoria Farm Show will be at the Peoria Civic Center, 201 SW Jefferson Ave. There is no cost to attend, and parking in the civic center lots is free. Find more details about the event at greaterpeoriafarmshow.com.
To learn more about Extension’s resources for producers and impact on agriculture in Illinois, visit extension.illinois.edu. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in Illinois Extension's activities during the farm show, contact Kevin Brooks at kwbrooks@illinois.edu or 309-685-3140. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
SOURCE: Kevin Brooks, farm business management and marketing educator, Illinois Extension
PHOTO: Jim Baltz, famdoc, College of ACES, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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 500 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 five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.