Blog Posts

Agroforestry implemented on a rolling landscape
Read article: Branching out: Agroforestry’s role in reducing nutrient loss
Branching out: Agroforestry’s role in reducing nutrient loss
A man's hands and foot are visible as he kneels and sifts through soil.  Chemical symbols like P-Phosphorus and K-Potassium are layered onto the soil image.
Read article: IRS Provisions for Excess Fertility Deductions on Purchased Farmland and Ranchland
IRS Provisions for Excess Fertility Deductions on Purchased Farmland and Ranchland
-This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice.Recent attention has been given to farmland and...
A field with corn stalks and cover crops.
Read article: Exploring the economics of agricultural conservation practices
Exploring the economics of agricultural conservation practices
Agricultural producers across Central Illinois and the United States face numerous challenges and pressures on their operations. These can include...
Aerial view of various farm fields with road running diagonally inbetween.
Read article: Farmland Values Showing Mixed Signals
Farmland Values Showing Mixed Signals
Farmland values began to soften in late 2024. With decreasing farm profits in 2023 and 2024, farmland values held firm until the last quarter of 2024...

News Releases

A presenter shares information on agriculture research at a field day presentation.
Local growers are invited to Agronomy Field Day at Ewing Demonstration Center
EWING, Ill. – Illinois Extension is excited to invite the public to their annual Agronomy Field Day at the Ewing Demonstration Center on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 9 a.m., with a free lunch to follow. The event will feature various educators and campus faculty as they provide best management...

Videos

Vermicomposting - Turning Leftovers into Soil

When we are asked to describe an ocean, forest, desert, or even our backyard we can give a pretty clear description about what one might find there. When asked what is under the ground, we tend to be unsure and it becomes clear how little we know about what is below our own backyards. Worms come...

School and Community Gardens Learning Module

Bring the garden into the schoolyard with our online School and Community Gardens Self-Paced Learning Modules. A school garden can be many things, from a pollinator garden, to a sensory garden, or a bulb garden. Our online learning modules focus on vegetable gardening while we take you on a...

Staff

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John Jones

Assistant Professor of Agronomy and Soil Fertility Extension Specialist