Emily Hansen

Emily Hansen is a Commercial Agriculture Educator serving Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam counties.  In her role, Emily develops and delivers research-based programs to growers, collaborates with community partners, and extends University resources to address a wide range of agricultural topics.  Her areas of expertise include soil health, plant-microbe interactions, cover crops, and sustainable production practices.

Emily graduated with her master’s degree in biological sciences in the behavior, ecology, evolution, and systematics sequence from Illinois State University.  During her time at ISU, Emily engaged in impactful research exploring the influence of cover crops on soil microbial communities.  Emily got her start in microbial ecology at Lewis University where she researched aquatic and soil microbial communities.  She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Lewis University in 2019.  Emily also comes from a farming family, having farmed in the Grundy County area for five generations.

Emily is excited to share her expertise and knowledge with diverse audiences and help bridge the gap between research and practical application while empowering growers to make informed and sustainable choices.  Emily can be reached at the Illinois Extension office housed at Illinois Valley Community College, 815 N. Orlando Smith Rd., Room C223 in Oglesby or by calling (815) 224-0896.  Her email address is emhansen@illinois.edu.

Stay up to date on the latest trends, research, and topics in agriculture on Emily's blog Field Notes and the BLMP Facebook page.

Recent Programs:

Sustainability on the Farm series

This program series provided local farmers and landowners with valuable knowledge and practical tools to enhance their agricultural operations while prioritizing environmental sustainability.  Topics included cover crops, wildlife habitat, conservation tillage, edge of field practices, and cost share programs.

2024 Farmland Owners Conference

This fast-paced, one-day conference for farmland owners provided insights into best management practices, working with tenants, and planning for the future legacy of the land.  Hosted at Illinois Valley Community College in 2024, the conference attracted over 220 attendees.

Oglesby Agronomy Summit

The Oglesby Agronomy Summit provided the latest research updates from crop science experts from the Univeristy of Illinois on corn and soybean management, farm finances, industrial hemp, and crop diseases.  The Summit will return in 2026.

Prescribed Burn Workshop

This workshop delved into the role of prescribed fire in habitat restoration and management and how farmers and landowners can use this practice to manage land enrolled in conservation programs.

IVCC Ag + Extension Fall Field Day

The annual Fall Field Day highlights the partnership between Illinois Valley Community College's Agriculture program and the University of Illinois Extension and provides the latest research updates from field trials happening at the college.

Cover Crop Roundtable Discussion

This informal discussion gave growers the opportunity to share the successes and challenges that come with planting cover crops, as well as receive feedback from their peers about best management practices and future plans.  The Roundtable Discussion will return in 2025.