EWING, Ill. – For over a century, Ewing Demonstration Center has been a cornerstone of agricultural research and collaboration in southern Illinois. Rooted in a rich history, this center serves as a hub where farmers, agricultural professionals, and University researchers come together to develop and implement practices that benefit the local farming community.
The annual Agronomy Field Day, a local tradition, continues to thrive. Educators and campus faculty convene on the center’s grounds during the summer program, sharing valuable insights and best management practices with local growers. This year’s event featured a diverse lineup of topics, including disease management, nutrient management, soil health assessment, highlights from precision experiments, and economic outlook and trends.
Compared to other research centers across the state, Ewing Demonstration Center can develop and test agricultural practices specifically suited to southern Illinois's unique climate, soil, and ecological conditions, ensuring that local growers receive the most relevant solutions for their farming needs.
University of Illinois soil scientist Andrew Margenot was a featured presenter, discussing efforts to update the soil test thresholds and management recommendations for phosphorus and potassium for the Illinois Agronomy Handbook. He is looking for farmers to cooperate with research to reassess those fertilizer recommendations.
Margenot also provided updates on the Illinois Centennial Soil Archive Project. Over the past four years, Margenot and his team have recovered and curated century-old soil samples from across the state, originally discovered in a dilapidated barn slated for demolition. They are resampling these locations to analyze changes in soil properties over time. The findings will enhance understanding of Illinois' soil resource base, aiding in the improvement of soil fertility management and conservation practices.
To learn more about the Illinois Centennial Soil Archive Project, visit margenot.cropsciences.illinois.edu.
Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities. Illinois Extension is part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.