Fairfield, Ill. – Discover how research-based information is shaping the future of agriculture at the Illinois Extension Agronomy Summit, hosted at Cumberland Presbyterian Church located at 1700 Outer W. Delaware St., Fairfield, IL 62837. This year’s event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Participants will gain up-to-date research-based insights from university experts to support informed farm management decisions. Sessions will cover topics such as dealing with wind and water, strategies for controlling waterhemp, farm business management, and more. Attendees will leave with practical tools, research updates, and valuable connections within their agricultural community.
“The agronomy summit provides a great opportunity for farmers to get actionable information from university and Extension experts,” says Katie Bell, Illinois Extension local food systems and small farms educator. “Participants will have plenty of time to ask questions and speak with the presenters and other agriculture professionals.”
The event is free to attend and includes all presentations, as well as lunch. Lunch is sponsored by Wayne County Farm Bureau. Certified Crop Adviser continuing education units will be available. Register by Jan. 16 at go.illinois.edu/SEAgronomySummit. This event is part of a statewide series of Illinois Extension Agronomy Summits taking place throughout January and February of 2026.
Additional 2026 locations include:
- Peoria Agronomy Summit | Jan. 12
- Northwestern Agronomy Summit | Freeport, Jan. 28
- Southwestern Agronomy Summit | Waterloo, Feb. 3
- Oglesby Agronomy Summit | Feb. 5
- Joliet Agronomy Summit | Feb. 10
- Springfield Agronomy Summit | Feb. 17
- Marshall Agronomy Summit | Feb. 24
For questions or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Katie Bell at klbell@illinois.edu or 618-395-2191. 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.