IFVN Vol. 29, No. 6 | June 2023

Weather Report: Drought takes hold in Illinois

June 20, 2023

Mild dryness in April and early May has quickly transitioned to a problem following a very dry end to May and first few weeks of June. Most of the state has had less than 50% of normal rainfall since mid-May, and parts of central and northern Illinois are operating with 50 to 60% of normal rainfall since March 1 (Figures below), with 90-day deficits approaching 9 inches in parts of western...

Blog articles

What to do about fungicide applications in dry weather

June 22, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

As I write this, scattered showers are moving through much of southern Indiana. It is unclear yet how much moisture these showers will produce for any given area. What is clear is that May and June have been unusually dry for most of Indiana and Illinois. How will this dry spell affect overall...

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It's your chance to speak at 2024 Food To Flowers conference

June 20, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Be part of the largest food, farmers market, and specialty crop conference in Illinois. Share your knowledge, lessons learned, or research with industry leaders and growers across the state. Consider speaking at the From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference hosted by the Illinois Specialty...

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LFPA to strengthen Illinois food system

June 21, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Illinois has $28M to support local farmers and fight hunger in Illinois through USDA’s Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) program. LFPA aims to strengthen the Illinois food system over the next two years by purchasing food at fair market value from socially disadvantaged growers and...

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Central Illinois Update: Ginger planted at new Unity high tunnel

June 21, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Our production and demonstration garden at the Unity Community Center in Normal received a nice infrastructure upgrade recently — a small high tunnel. Besides adding the capacity to grow protected culture crops over the cooler months for our free community food donation program, it is allowing me...

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St. Louis Metro East Update: Late freeze creates apple frost rings

June 22, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Much of the St Louis Metro East received varying levels of rain on Father’s Day, with reports of rainfall from 0.2 to 2.5 inches. Many watched the doppler radar excitedly as rain appeared to be coming right at them, only to see the storm dissipate or skirt around them before finally getting any...

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Southwestern Illinois Update: Small fruit harvest continues

June 22, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

It is still very dry overall across our area. We have had a few scattered rain chances that have brought most at least some rain; however, we are at such an overall deficit, that it just doesn’t feel that it goes very far. Last weekend was the most “widespread” rainfall we have had, but still, some...

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ripe tomatoes from Dixon Springs Ag Center

Dixon Springs Update: Tomato harvest reveals some pest damage

June 22, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

We were thankful for the small shot of rain we received over the weekend (0.5” total across two days). Some locally isolated areas received 1.5 to 2.0” while others barely saw 0.1”, but overall, our region is still very dry, like the rest of the state. Daytime temperatures have been staying in the...

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News releases

Farmers drive through field with equipment harvesting soybeans

June 14, 2023

Asking for help just got easier with no-cost mental health access for agricultural community
URBANA, Ill. — Farming is stressful, and the Illinois agriculture community faces unique challenges every day that take a toll on mental health. A new program from University of Illinois Extension gives farmers and their families access to professional mental health care for free. The...

Events

Person weighing strawberries for purchase.

June 26, 2023

Exploring the H-2A Visa Program
Legal risks can be fatal to a farm business and addressing them proactively can keep farms in business. Just as important, understanding legal issues can dispel anxiety and help farmers realize their power to control their circumstances.    This is the first in a quarterly webinar series...

A farmers market stand with jars of products.

July 17, 2023

Direct Market Sales
Learn about direct-market sales.  Higginson Farm Market and Riverside Mercantile Store are teaming up with University of Illinois Extension to host the third of four twilight meetings at their newest location on Monday, July 17, at 6 p.m. Riverside Mercantile was established in 2023 as...

August 21, 2023

Pumpkin Production and Fall Agritourism
Fall is right around the corner.  Illinois Extension educators are teaming up with The Patch in Marion to share information on cover crops, pumpkin production, and fall agritourism. Samantha and Adam Dahmer, owners of The Patch, will discuss their management of a 10 acre pumpkin field. The...

Dairy cows eating from bunk with person cleaning floors nearby.

September 18, 2023

5 Steps to Protect Your Farm, Legally Speaking
Legal risks can be fatal to a farm business, and addressing them proactively can keep farms in business. Are there a few key steps that provide significant impact when it comes to the farm or ranch’s protection from legal risks? Yes, there are. Every farm or ranch, no matter its size, location, or...

December 18, 2023

Land Leasing Basics
Don't risk losing the farm Leasing farmland is so commonplace that landowners, farmers, and ranchers may not think twice about the lease itself until things go wrong. Prevent problems by using a strongly worded lease while building a path to a resilient future. Coverage of leasing basics will help...

Farmer walking though wheat field in the sun, brushing crops with their hand.

March 18, 2024

Forming an LLC
Legal risks can be fatal to a farm business and addressing them proactively can keep farms in business. Just as important, understanding legal issues can dispel anxiety and help farmers realize their power to control their circumstances.    This is the final in a quarterly webinar series...

Less Seriously

Stopped in to check on Mike and Brandon Huff of Sunnybrook Gardens and look what I found…just some happy pickers hanging out in the shade listening to music and having the best time! Mike was really pleased with his matted row strawberry crop this year and was very thankful to be able to utilize this harvest aid.

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Illinois Fruit and Vegetable Newsletter for June 2023