Commercial Agriculture

Events

Women and the Land

June 26, 2026

County

Knox

Conservation Tours

July 4, 2026

County

McDonough

Conservation Tours

July 11, 2026

County

McDonough

First Steps for Farmland Owners

August 4, 2026

County

Bureau

More Events

Blog Posts

The role of the soil microbiome in reducing nutrient loss

May 29, 2026

In...

The flags of Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The USMCA review and its impact on central Illinois agriculture

May 29, 2026

In two previous blog posts, I discussed the importance of international trade for agricultural producers in central...

A combine harvests corn with blue skies and cumulus clouds in the background.

Illinois Farm Cash Rent Trends in 2026

May 22, 2026

Illinois farmers and landowners have completed their farm lease negotiations for the 2026 production year. Forecasts indicate farmers will endure a...

Aerial shot of 4 farm fields intersecting with trees and greens at the center.

Illinois Farmland Values in 2026: Volatile Signals

May 21, 2026

Farmland Sales in Illinois are continuing their recent pattern of being unpredictable. Low farmer profits are the main driver of this volatility, but...

More Blogs

News Releases

Green grass with blue sky horizon chicken coup and chickens on grass

June 20, 2023

McHenry County Farm Stroll 2023
McHenry County Farm Stroll 2023 Offers Tours of 11 Family-Owned Small Farms and McHenry County College Student Farm Woodstock, Ill. – Come out for an autumn day in the country! On Sunday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., McHenry County will host its annual Farm Stroll, a free self-...

May 13, 2026

Illinois study: Can designer biochar pellets help manage phosphorus in agricultural fields?
Tile drainage is common in U.S. Midwest agricultural fields, helping to remove excess water and aerate the soil. While the practice enhances crop productivity, it can cause phosphorus to leak into nearby waterways, where it contributes to harmful algal blooms. Directing tile-drain...

May 12, 2026

Delve into water quality research at Dudley Smith Farm Field Day
PANA, Ill. — To help area agricultural producers learn about the latest research on water quality, conservation practices, and related topics, the Dudley Smith Initiative is hosting a research plot tour this June with...

Kaden, Lailah, Laycha, Kaleb, Jeremias, and other Chicago Ag High School students at Illini Summer Academies

May 4, 2026

Growing the Future of Agriculture: Illinois Extension Recognizes Six Distinguished Chicago Ag High School Seniors
CHICAGO, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension at Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (Chicago Ag) is proud to recognize six of our Seniors for their 4-H participation, hard work, and dedication. Kaden Ambers, Carmen Jackson, Jeremias Jimenez, Kaleb Knox, Laycha Sarante-Toribio, and...

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Videos

Cover Crop Conversations, Farmer-to-Farmer Insights Across Illinois

Farmers from northwest, west central, and southern Illinois discuss how they use cover crops in their operations as part of this recorded presentation coordinated in part by the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. Hear how they have incorporated cover crops on their farms, lessons learned...