U of I Ext Local Foods/Small Farms - Southern Illinois

08/27/2026

Make plans to attend Pumpkin Field Day on Thursday, September 3, at Eckert's Orchard in Belleville. The program begins at 10 a.m. with a variety of activities and presentations. There is no cost to attend, and a free lunch is included. Learn more or register at go.illinois.edu/PumpkinFieldDay.

08/19/2026

Known for its large Yoder and Belgium chrysanthemums, Friendly Farms was the final stop for the Summer Twilight Series hosted by Illinois Extension. The monthly series offered four unique on-farm learning experiences throughout the growing season, each highlighting a diverse farming operation in southern Illinois. Learn more about Friendly Farms' thriving retail and wholesale enterprise, featuring more than 3,100 mums, and find out more about their one-day seasonal sale.

https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/local-event-offers-insight-falls-most-popular-plant

08/17/2026

Join Extension for Pumpkin Field Day on Thursday, September 3, at Eckert's Orchard in Belleville. The program begins at 10 a.m. with a variety of activities and presentations. There is no cost to attend, and a free lunch is included. Learn more or register at go.illinois.edu/PumpkinFieldDay.

08/14/2026

There is still time to sign up to join us for the final installation of the Summer Twilight Series as we tour Friendly Farms, a southern Illinois family-owned farm specializing in growing mums and pumpkins. Learn more or register at the link below:
https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-08-17-growing-mums-and-pumpkins

08/04/2026

Illinois Extension will kick off the fall season with Pumpkin Field Day on Thursday, Sept. 3, at Eckert’s Orchard. The day will begin at 10 a.m., and registration includes lunch. Explore the world of commercial pumpkin production through presentations and research updates from Extension educators and university specialists. Field day activities include:

- Research trial tours
- Topic presentations and speakers
- Pumpkin variety trials
- Commercial pumpkin production updates
- Networking with growers and industry vendors

Learn more or register at the link below.
https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-09-03-2026-pumpkin-field-day

08/03/2026

Register today for Thursday’s program! Great topics and food!

Join us for the Southwestern Illinois Agronomy Field Day at Baebler Educational Farm! Illinois Extension invites farmers, crop advisors, and anyone interested in crop production to the Baebler Educational Farm on Thursday, August 6, at 4 p.m

Learn about:
-Nutrient management in row crops
-W**d management programs in corn
-Managing invasive weeds on your farm
-No-till and cover crop management

Participants will also tour corn nitrogen and herbicide trials and see demonstrations of invasive plant control techniques. A complimentary meal will be provided following the program.

This event is free and open to the public. CCA credits will be available. Registration is required by noon on August 3 at go.illinois.edu/SouthwesternIllinoisAgronomyFieldDay or call the Monroe County Extension Office at 618-939-3434.

07/22/2026

Join Extension for the final installation of the Summer Twilight Series as we tour Friendly Farms, a southern Illinois family-owned farm specializing in growing mums and pumpkins. Learn more or register at the link below:
https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-08-17-growing-mums-and-pumpkins

07/17/2026

There’s still time to get registered for the July Summer Twilight meeting to learn about ginger, turmeric, and other value-added products. Pink Tiger Farm focuses on simple ways to add bold flavor to everyday meals. They create unique spice blends made from produce chosen for its heritage, taste, and cultural significance. Join the tour to learn more about their farm and locally-grown products.
https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-07-20-growing-ginger-and-turmeric

06/26/2026

Make plans to join us for the July Twilight Meeting to learn about ginger, turmeric, and other value-added products. Pink Tiger Farm focuses on simple ways to add bold flavor to everyday meals. They create unique spice blends made from produce chosen for its heritage, taste, and cultural significance. Join the tour to learn more about their farm and locally-grown products.
https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-07-20-growing-ginger-and-turmeric

06/18/2026

There is still time to sign up for the June 22 event to explore the operations at Edmison Acres and learn about raising Highland Cattle in southern Illinois. While not commonly seen in Illinois pastures, Highland Cattle are a hardy multi-purpose breed used for meat, milk, fiber, and draft animals. The breed is a creative option for those wanting to graze cattle but may only have a few acres. Learn more or register at the link below:
https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-06-22-managing-highland-cows