Skip to main content

Specialty Crops

Events

Blog Posts

insect pests on clover plant
Read article: Winter insect pest control
Winter insect pest control
As winter is upon us, there are things that growers can do to deal with winter pests. Of course, this is particularly important in winter production...
green strawberry plants growing in rows on black plastic mulch
Read article: Strawberry plasticulture field observations from southern Illinois
Strawberry plasticulture field observations from southern Illinois
As strawberry plasticulture growers are closing in on the end of the fall growing season for the annual production system, the impact of the...
a few green plants growing in rows inside high tunnel
Read article: From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Cover crop establishment in high tunnel
From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Cover crop establishment in high tunnel
The cover crops seeded in the “treatment” high tunnel are growing, although not as evenly as hoped. The crimson clover stand is almost non-existent,...
green broccoli head and orange cauliflower head
Read article: From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Excellent performance of fall crops
From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Excellent performance of fall crops
After a warm dry spell of weather in October, we are more wet and have more typical temperatures.  We made up for lost time in precipitation...

News Releases

Tara Heath staff photo
Tara Heath promoted to Extension crops educator
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - The agriculture industry continues to change rapidly, impacting everyone from the producers to the industry professionals to the food consumers. University of Illinois Extension is growing its team of commercial agriculture educators to provide research-based, unbiased...
An adult assists a young child with smashing a pumpkin at a composting event.
Combat packing landfills by smashing pumpkins with Illinois Extension
URBANA, Ill. — Fall is the pumpkin’s time to shine, but what happens when it is time to say goodbye to the short-lived jack-o'-lanterns?With Illinois consistently being the top producer of pumpkins across the country, there are a lot of pumpkins piling up and filling up landfills across...
A tractor pulling participants throughout the field.
Program highlights best practices for southern Illinois growers
EWING, Ill. – For over a century, Ewing Demonstration Center has been a cornerstone of agricultural research and collaboration in southern Illinois. Rooted in a rich history, this center serves as a hub where farmers, agricultural professionals, and University researchers come together to...

Videos

Mushroom Production on Small Farms

Direct market farmers, homesteaders, land-owners, hobby farms, and backyard growers can learn practices to improve production and increase profit.

Growing Shiitake Mushrooms

On this week’s Good Growing podcast we talk with Illinois Extension local foods educator Nick Frillman about growing gourmet shiitake mushrooms in your own backyard. Nick shows us the tools and methods used to turn fresh cut logs of white oak and sugar maple into inoculated “bolts” that will...

Staff