A special thanks to Edwards Apple Orchard West for hosting the 2021 Illinois State Summer Hort Day.  It was a great

turnout and even though it was a hot one, the beautiful orchard, hospitality and face-to-face fellowship made it a perfect day! 

2021 Illinois State Horticulture Society Summer Hort Day, held June 10th at Edwards Apple Orchard West in Winnebago.  Photos: N. Johanning (right) E. Wahle (bottom)

Like many throughout the state reported at the meeting, the metro east could use some rain too, especially those to the southern portion of the region.  Temperatures have been soaring well into the 90s, somewhat slowing you-pick business during the heat of the day.  The heat is also prompting apple growers to start sunburn and moisture loss protection, using products like Raynox (Valent) and Vapor Gard (Miller).  Peach season is almost upon us, maybe as early as next week, as well as possibly the start of Lodi apple…with the start of sweet corn not far behind.  Strawberries have come to a close, but black raspberries and early blackberries like Natchez are coming into harvest. Local tomatoes, depending on type and production system, are in harvest or coming soon.  The main take home is all the crops customers expect for 4th of July picnics are ahead or on schedule and should be plentiful. Crops for fall activities are in the planting stage as well, including Jack-o-lantern, pie pumpkins, sunflower and zinnia patches. 

Elizabeth Wahle (618-344-4230; wahle@illinois.edu) 

We have been hot and dry until just the 6/21 after a front drop our humidity and temperatures.  Prior to that we were in

the 90s with lots of humidy.  We will get a short break but the heat and humidity will be back by later this week.  We are fairly dry down here, however, not nearly as dry as those of you were in the northern part of the state.  We had about 0.4” early Monday morning (6/21), but other than that have only had about 0.2” of preciptation in the weeks prior.  Some corn fields were rolled up in the heat due to the dry.  I planted some no-till sweet corn and green beans and did some transplanting and where there was a residue and the soil had not been distrubed there was decent soil moisture.  They are now starting to emerge, but would certainly appreciate some more moisture. 

In the last part of May and first week of June we got our cover crop trials planted with tomatoes and peppers at Waterloo and Urbana.  All are looking good now 3-4 weeks later.  We have

had a significant explosion of tomato hornworms on both the tomatoes and peppers in the last week.  At first glance I was suspicious of deer grazing, however, the dropping beneath the plant and a closer inspection found that hornworms were the culprit. We removed any we have found, but will probably spray soon to prevent damage from getting any worse.  For recommendations on this or any other vegetable pest consult the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide.

Fortunately, only a few plants were severly affected however this could change quickly.  Overall the trial is looking good and the tomatoes have already been tied twice.

We are in the midst of blueberry and red and black raspberry harvest and the start of some of the early peaches.  Some of the earliest sweet corn in tasseling and harvests of early-planted summer vegetable like green beans, cucumbers and summer squash.  High tunnel tomatoes are starting to come in as well.  My potatoes are past boom now and looking pretty good, however

having been hilled and cultivated without a lot of rain since, they would appreciate some precipitation.  Pumpkin planting is underway.  I am hoping to transplant my pumpkins within the next week if everything cooperates.  Please see my note later in this issue regarding our renewed label for Reflex in pumpkins and other weed management highlights!   

I enjoyed seeing some of you at the State Horticulture field day and hope to see some of you at our July 12 Twilight Meeting! 

Nathan Johanning (618-939-3434; njohann@illinois.edu) 

Here in Jackson County we are officially in full swing. The first heirloom tomatoes have been harvested out of the high

tunnel, the green bean variety trial has been planted (twice), and the fertility trial tomatoes are going strong. The blueberries and blackberries are starting to ripen, and the asparagus is fully ferned out and resting for the season. 

The high tunnel is currently at full capacity and we have started harvesting tomatoes, peppers, and cut flowers. The shade cloth was placed on the high tunnel at the end of May. Pumpkins were seeded into cell trays on June 10th, these will be transplanted into the field in early July.  

Out in the field the green beans were seeded onto black plastic rows from the 2020 growing season. The plants that

were transplanted as well was those that were direct seeded in the first round (May 28th) are off to a good start. However, beans that were seeded into the plastic on June 2nd were not fully germinated by the time we started to see high temperatures. Many of the plants were burned off at the cotyledons as a result of touching the black plastic. A duplicate green bean trial has been planted in a strip tilled area. 

The tomato fertility trial was fertigated for the first time on June 11th. This year there are 11 treatments with different

potassium rates, fertilizer formulations, and timings. We are starting to see lots of green fruits on the plants and they have been tied several times. Due to the frequent rain at the beginning of the month I have been sticking to pretty tight fungicide spray schedule to avoid disease issues.  As always I wish everyone a happy and safe 2021 growing season! 

Photos by K. Bell

As we move through the month of June, it has been pretty typical as far as hot, humid summer days with a few days of cooler, more pleasant temperatures scattered in the mix.  The crops are all progressing well in each of the high tunnels, with the hydroponic cucumbers being the most prolific and requiring harvest every other day.  Harvest is also continuing on the hydroponic strawberries and cherry tomatoes.  The spring crop on the hydroponic raspberries, ‘Double Gold’ and ‘Joan J’, has come to and end and ‘Joan J’ continues to set blooms on new primocanes.  The black raspberries are both finished with harvest as well.   

Tomato fertility trial plots in high tunnel at DSAC.  Peppers are planted in the two outer rows within the tunnel.  Yellow sticky traps are scattered throughout the tunnel to monitor the various insects visiting the plants in the tunnel.  Photo by B. Aly. 

The first harvest on tomatoes in the fertility trial was made on June 10th and the plants appear to be setting a nice fruit load for the remainder of the season.  All three varieties, ‘Primo Red’, ‘Red Mountain’, and ‘Mountain Gem’ are sizing well.  One observation of the early first fruit from ‘Primo Red’ is the pointed blossom end of the fruit.  This can be common with this particular variety and makes it not the best selection for a shipping tomato but the flavor and overall fruit quality make it a fine selection for direct retail sales.  We have noted a few tomato plants that are suffering from tomato pith necrosis again this year, but most of the plants are surviving and don’t need to be removed yet.  No differences have been observed between fertility treatments from the early harvests but we are expecting to see changes in fruit quality as the harvest season progresses. 

It has been interesting to see the number of different insects visiting the small tomatillo plot compared to the other crops within the same tunnel.  We are preparing for the upcoming 2021 Southern Illinois Summer Twilight meeting that will be held at DSAC on June 21st, and the main focus of the twilight meeting will be on high tunnel insect management and the potential for using the biological control strategy of utilizing predator insects to keep pest insects at levels that don’t cause economic damage.  We will also discuss the tomato fertilty project as well.  The second release of predator insects was released on June 16th , and sticky traps continue to be collected and switched out weekly.  These traps allow us to monitor the various insects within each of the high tunnels on our site.  A wide range of crops are planted in this high tunnel at DSAC including tomatillos, peppers, tomatoes, cut flowers, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, carrots, beets, and more. 

Bronwyn Aly (618-382-2662; baly@illinois.edu) 

10 signs you’ve been outside in the heat too long  

1. You start daydreaming about going through the drive-thru and ordering one of every cold drink they sell 

2. You start saying things like: “well it could always be hotter” or “you know it really isn’t too bad out after all” or “I think I’ll plant another row” 

3. “Air-Conditioned Office” is a distant and wonderful place that you vaguely remember but can no longer describe  

4. You devise an elaborate plan to talk the neighbor into letting you swim in their pool  

5. Water from a garden hose is the best thing you’ve ever tasted  

6. Broken and leaking irrigation lines are considered an exciting turn of events  

7. Even the plants look like they don’t want to be outside  

8. Cleaning your house actually seems enjoyable  

9. You’re not sure if you are still soaked from fixing the irrigation or if its sweat  

10. The lagoon starts to look like a good place to go swimming  

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

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/smallfarm/ and the calendar of events at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/units/calendar.cfm?UnitID=629.   

• 2021 Southern Illinois Summer Twilight Meeting Series, monthly evening meetings May-August at 6 p.m.  After a year off, plans are underway to host IN-PERSON twilight meetings across southern Illinois during the 2021 growing season.  For more information visit  https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/2021-southern-illinois-summer-twilight-series  or to register online directly, visit go.illinois.edu/2021TwilightSeries 

• July 12, 2021 Baebler Educational Farm, Waterloo, IL – no-till tomato & pepper production 

• August 16, 2021 Bauman Family Farm, Vienna, IL – regenerative grazing in cattle production  

• Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day and Webinar Series, Purdue Student Farm July 29, 2021. Webinar Series, August 2-13, 2021, live online education. This program covers a wide range of production topics.  For the listing of topics and registration visit https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/studentfarm/events/ 

July Twilight Meeting Highlighting Cover Crop and No-till Management 

For anyone interested in learning more about cover crop management in vegetable crops make sure to mark

your calendars for our July Southern Illinois Summer Twilight Meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 at 6 PM at the Baebler Educational Farm (4022 JJ Rd.) in Waterloo, IL.  We are going to be highlighting the research I have been sharing through the newsletter over the last year or two.  Some of the topics of discussion will include: 

• Cover crop management for bareground and plasticulture systems 

• No-till crop management  

• No-till equipment demonstrations  

• Crop and weed management practices 

There are many opportunities to benefit from cover crops no matter what production system you are in!  Our primary research is on tomatoes and peppers, however, we also have some demonstration plots of no-till green beans and sweet corn.  To register for this meeting visit go.illinois.edu/2021TwilightSeries.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions! 

Nathan Johanning (618-939-3434; njohann@illinois.edu)   

New Home-To-Market Act To Grow Small Food Businesses And Make Illinois More Delicious

Legislation awaits Governor Pritzker’s Signature 

The newly passed Home-to-Market Act gives small farmers like Derek and Libby Ervin of Glacier’s End Farm in rural Southern Illinois an opportunity to reach new customers by selling their unique jams, jellies, syrups, shrubs and hot sauces online. 

Springfield, IL— New legislation passed by the General Assembly will bring more jams, jellies, pickles, baked goods, and artisan products to Illinois. The Home-to-Market Act SB2007, sponsored by Rep. Will Guzzardi and Sen. Dave Koehler, creates smart new regulations for cottage food operations, enabling them to reach new customers, while giving the public greater access to unique Illinois products. 

“Illinois has an estimated 500 cottage food businesses, most of them small farms and women-owned businesses,” says Molly Gleason, spokesperson for Illinois Stewardship Alliance and lead organizer for the bill. “Improved cottage food regulations will not only support these existing businesses, but potentially help grow thousands more, at the same time providing shoppers with more opportunities to buy local and support their neighbors.  It’s a big win for the local food economy in Illinois and one step closer to our goal of helping Illinois farmers feed Illinois.” 

Cottage food laws exist in varying degrees in every state of the nation to provide farms and food entrepreneurs an avenue to produce and sell certain low-risk products from a home kitchen without the need for a costly commercial kitchen or storefront. 

In Illinois, the current law limits sales of cottage foods to seasonal farmers markets, with few exceptions. Illinois is one of just three states in the nation with this restriction, which prevents cottage food operations from reaching new customers and growing their businesses. The Home-to-Market Act addresses this issue by expanding sales avenues for cottage food producers to include direct-to-customer sales avenues such as fairs and festivals, home sales, pick-up, delivery, and shipping. Not included are sales to retailers or distributors. 

“In October, in my neighborhood, we have a festival that’s called ‘Autumn Drive,’ and people from all over the Midwest come. I would like to be able to sell my jam and jelly during Autumn Drive to lots of people who are coming here. I also make a raspberry tea that I’d like to sell online. The Home-to-Market Act will allow me to do that,” says Ann Chaney, owner of Grace Farm Studios in Woodstock, Illinois where she raises primarily raspberries and sells a variety of cottage food products.  “I’m in favor of this legislation because it makes farming more efficient and helps me sell all of my products to people who want to buy my products.” 

“Our farmers don’t do this as a side-gig, they need this opportunity to have other outlets to sell their products,” says Liz DeRuntz, operations manager for the LEAF Food Cooperative in Southern Illinois, which organizes 18 small farmers to collectively market, package, and sell local products. Many of those farms produce cottage foods, ranging from dried noodles to herbal teas and hot sauces. 

Both Chaney and DeRuntz are members of Illinois Stewardship Alliance’s Local Food Farmer Caucus, a group of 60 farmers that works to identify barriers to growing the local food economy, research solutions, and put forward legislation. The Caucus identified cottage food reform as their top priority for 2021. Members of the Caucus partnered with the Institute for Justice, Illinois Environmental Council, Chicago Food Policy Action Council, and Illinois Farm Bureau to draft the new legislation and champion the bill. The bill was also supported by a broad stakeholder group of cottage food producers and food justice organizations.  

“The Act presents an important opportunity to support marginalized and low-income communities that are oftentimes unable to access the necessary assets and finances required to start a business,” says Kevin Erickson, manager of the urban ag program at Loyola University, and a member of the Alliance’s Local Food Farmer Caucus. Kevin notes that his work in the city opened his eyes to the inequities facing urban farmers, which drew him to the Alliance’s policy work. “As long as food can be produced safely, and we feel very confident that this bill outlines a very safe process that can be done successfully at home, the Home-to-Market Act will allow new businesses to start and existing ones to grow and flourish.” 

The bill could not have come at a more crucial time for cottage food producers, many of which were negatively impacted by the pandemic.  “I began selling my baked goods at an indoor farmers market during the winter of 2020, but when the pandemic hit, that venue closed and I no longer had a way to sell my products,” says Danielle Robinson of Dottie’s Kitchen. 

Danielle was eventually able to start selling again at the Elk Grove Village Farmers Market in the summer, and even started purchasing some local ingredients, like zucchini for her zucchini bread. She is excited to see the new Act pass. “Being able to sell direct-to-consumer through a website will allow me to reach a wider audience and make my business more resilient during events like COVID-19, which disrupted farmers markets nationwide.” 

In addition to expanding sales avenues, the Home-to-Market Act:  

• Adds a handful of new food safety provisions negotiated with public health stakeholders to insure public safety, including a written food safety plan for products like pickles and kimchi 

• Approves buttercream icing for sale under cottage food law, freeing home-bakers to make cakes, cupcakes, and other high-demand baked goods that customers desire.  

• Directs IDPH to work with a stakeholder group of public health associations and non-profit organizations to issue guidance on a standardized registration form, inspection form, and a home-self certification checklist that outlines procedures and equipment for a home-kitchen. 

The Home-to-Market Act passed the House and Senate unanimously and now awaits the Governor’s signature. Once signed the bill will go into effect in January 1, 2022 

For more information about the bill and how to support this effort, visit www.ilstewards.org/hometomarket 

Contact: 
Molly Gleason 
Illinois Stewardship Alliance 
molly@ilstewards.org, 217-871-9041