SIMPSON, Ill. - For a decade, the Summer Twilight Series has been a beloved tradition in southern Illinois, bringing farmers, educators, and community members together to explore the diversity and innovation of local agriculture. Now in its tenth year, Illinois Extension is proud to continue this engaging series in 2025, offering four unique on-farm learning experiences throughout the growing season.
Whether you're a local producer looking to diversify, have an interest in selling fresh products, or are simply curious about where your food comes from, these evening gatherings are your chance to connect directly with the people behind the region’s vibrant food and farm economy. Held once a month from May through August, each meeting will feature a different farm or direct-market outlet, showcasing a range of production methods and marketing strategies. Tour working farms, see operations up close, and ask questions directly to producers and Extension educators.
The program will kick off on May 19 at 6 p.m. at The Flock Farm in Anna to explore poultry processing and tour their farm market. They are located at 460 McDuffee Lane, Anna, IL 62906.
Operated by Brent Glays, The Flock Farm specializes in pasture-raised lamb, pork, and poultry. Glays, a farmer and poultry processor from Anna, Illinois, started his career as a meat and poultry inspector. What began as a small flock has evolved into an operation known for its sustainable meat production and on-farm retail store. Today, Glays operates a poultry processing plant and is expanding further with USDA certification.
The remaining summer programs are scheduled monthly from 6 to 8 p.m., on the following dates at the locations listed below:
- June 16 - Weiler Enterprises Inc., Dairy Farm, Claremont, Ill. – dairy farm operations
- July 17 – Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, Simpson, Ill. – high tunnel vegetable production and biological insect control
- August 18 - Wild Child Flower Farm, Sumner, Ill. - U-pick flower farm production
Beyond education, these events foster community. Each session includes time for networking, helping local entrepreneurs build valuable partnerships, and strengthening our regional food systems.
There is no cost to attend these in-person programs, but registration is required. To register for any or all of the meetings in this series, 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 provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.
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.