Home Newsletters IFVN Vol. 31, No. 1 | February 2025

IFVN Vol. 31, No. 1 | February 2025

Be diligent in snow and ice removal on high tunnels

January 23, 2025

High tunnels are a very productive season extension tool and offer the opportunity for year around growing. While high tunnel environmental management practices tend to focus more on ventilation and air movement during the warm months, wintertime management should not be forgotten. Snow and ice accumulation on the plastic that covers high tunnels adds quite a bit of weight, and if not removed,...

Blog articles

fresh fruits and vegetables arranged in rainbow order of color

Specialty crop insurance for the small farmer

January 23, 2025

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Did you know that the USDA has a crop insurance policy tailored for the small organic or specialty crop farmer? It is called the Micro Farm policy for farms with no more than $350,000 of approved revenue. These are an “insured revenue” type of policy and is available in all 50 states. There...

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photo of computer monitor and cell phone with lines and boxes on screens

Food safety education needs assessment survey

January 23, 2025

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

The winter season gives us time to relax a bit and to plan for the next growing season. University of Illinois Extension would like to work with you in meeting some of your food safety learning and implementation goals. You may have already taken a food safety training related to fresh produce and...

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ripe strawberries in clear plastic containers

Food safety in fresh produce washing and packing areas

January 23, 2025

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Fresh produce packing facilities come in different sizes and designs. Some maybe fully closed and others partially closed with a few legs and a roof. Some may be permanent structures and others temporary. Farms may also use their limited space to accomplish multiple activities which may include...

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From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Winter weather not effecting cover crops in high tunnel

January 23, 2025

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

The last month or so has provided some time to catch our breath and think about the upcoming growing season. Most of the seeds and supplies have been ordered but investigating new products and items is still underway. The winter meetings are a great time to meet with vendors and industry...

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arid landscape with ponds, brush, and rows of fruit trees

From St. Louis Metro East: Highlights from South Africa Study Tour

January 23, 2025

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

I want to share some of the highlights from my opportunity to attend the International Tree Fruit Association’s South Africa Study Tour this past November/December. The stunning landscapes along the Garden Route through the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces will forever stand out in my mind...

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From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Pruning classes offered in February

January 23, 2025

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Sarah Farley and I are looking forward to seeing many of you at our Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference at NIU Rockford on Monday, February 17th. We have a number of...

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Illinois EQIP 2025 application deadline established

January 23, 2025

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Jan. 23, 2025 —Illinois agricultural and forestry producers who want to address or improve natural resources are encouraged to sign up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program or EQIP. Tammy Willis, Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist,...

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Events

An overhead view of a farm with a variety of green specialty crops growing amongst it.

March 17, 2025

Land Leasing Basics
Don’t forget about the basics when considering leasing land. Leasing farmland is so commonplace that landowners, farmers, and ranchers may not think twice about the lease itself. Until things go wrong. Prevent problems with a strong lease while building a path to a resilient future. Leasing...

February 13, 2025

Organic production transition and other alternatives
Join us for FREE online webinar on Thursday, Feb. 13 from 6-7 p.m. Learn all about the process for transitioning from conventional land to certified organic production for row crops, vegetables, or fruits. Extension Educator Alexis Barnes will outline steps for this transition and address...

February 17, 2025

Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference
University of Illinois Extension is excited to present the 29th Annual Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference at NIU-Rockford in Rockford, Illinois. This conference addresses common issues facing fruit and vegetable growers, hoping to provide the most up-to-date information to...

Two people putting a square bale of hay into a feed bunk for dairy cows.

June 23, 2025

Farm Property Insurance
Reduce farm property risk and worry with a better understanding of insurance. Running a farm or ranch operation often depends on buildings, equipment, vehicles, and supplies for day-to-day success. If these valuable resources are lost or damaged, it can be devastating to profitability....

Upcoming programs

See the University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Team’s website at:

https://extension.illinois.edu/lfssf

Annie’s Project | Three locations across the state (Saline, Washington, and Tazewell counties) will be holding Annie’s Project 101 in February and March. Visit https://anniesproject.org/upcoming-classes/illinois/ for more information.