May 20, 2021
Photo: Ed Ballard. The Dudley Smith Farms Virtual Outreach Meeting will include a research update on soil health, grazing and cover crops.
URBANA, Ill. – Put the farm first this summer with research updates and practical information farmers and ranchers can use straight from the fields of Dudley Smith Farm in Central Illinois.
Recognizing the economic challenges facing Illinois agriculture and rural communities, Dudley Smith Jr. gave his 226-acre Christian County farm and an endowment to University of Illinois in 1993. Smith championed adopting agricultural technological advances and continues today with the farm serving as a field research site partially managed by University of Illinois Extension.
Growing Great Vegetables: Preparing the Garden and Care
Submitted by Extension Communications Director: Samantha Koon, Extension Communications
University of Illinois Extension
The spring of 2020 saw a surge of gardeners taking up the trowel for the first time to try their hand at growing vegetables. Growing Great Vegetables is a seven-week webinar series covering the basics of starting a vegetable garden. This session will cover how soil plays an important role in growing a vegetable garden, including soil testing and amendments, fertilizer, manures, mulch, watering, weeding, and gardening tools. Contact: Ken Johnson
February 16 | 1:30 PM: Four Seasons: Therapeutic Value of Nature Are you stressed from having to practice social distancing? Can’t go anywhere? Do anything? Spending time in nature can help soothe and heal. Join Illinois Extension horticulture educator Mary Fischer as she presents research-based studies in support of the healing powers of nature. Contact: Nancy
January 15, 2021
URBANA, Ill. – Dudley Smith, Jr. recognized the economic challenges facing agriculture in Illinois and its impact on rural communities. On his Christian County farm, he championed the adoption of technological advances which advanced stewardship and sustainability of agricultural practices.
Smith gave the farm and a substantial endowment to University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences in 1993, and the transformative research on agricultural practices continues. That research will be highlighted in the Dudley Smith Farm Winter Meeting, beginning at 10 a.m. Feb. 9.
Animal and crop sciences experts are featured during the daylong virtual conference. Continuing education units have been approved for certified crop advisors. Learn more and register by Feb. 5 at go.illinois.edu/DSFWinter2021.