SIMPSON, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension is excited to be the host for the first of four twilight meetings at their newly rejuvenated horticulture research and demonstration area at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center Monday, May 21, 2018 starting at 6 p.m. University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems & Small Farms Educators, Bronwyn Aly and Nathan Johanning, have been partnering with area farmers over the past four years to provide evening “twilight meetings” to highlight and demonstrate diverse farming enterprises across southern Illinois. Anyone involved or interested in local food production or learning more about farms in our region is encouraged and invited to attend. The Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, established in the late 1930’s, is the southernmost agricultural research center for the University of Illinois. For almost 60 years, fruit and vegetable research and extension outreach has been conducted on-site, providing Midwest growers with a wide range of information on various topics including: variety selection, intensive production and management practices, pick-your-own marketing, strawberry plasticulture production, and high tunnel production. After a brief closure, the new Dean of the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, Dr. Kimberlee Kidwell, re-opened a portion of the horticulture research area, tasking southern Illinois Agriculture and Natural Resource Extension Educators to continue to provide research and demonstration outreach to the regional community. Extension staff are currently focusing on production and management systems within high tunnels on various vegetable and fruit crops to fulfill this charge.
Over the course of the evening, Aly and Johanning will discuss the different types of high tunnel structures on-site, as well as the various production and management practices for each. Cucumbers, indeterminate tomatoes, strawberries, and various greens will be demonstrated in a hydroponic production system. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, greens, and various other vegetables and flowers will be shown growing in ground beds. We encourage anyone interested in learning more about diverse vegetable production in southern Illinois to capitalize on this on-farm learning and networking opportunity.
DATE: Monday, May 21, 2018
TIME: 6 p.m.
LOCATION: University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, 354 State Highway 145 N, Simpson, IL 62985
DIRECTIONS: From Harrisburg, IL: travel south on State Highway 145 for 24 miles. The horticulture area and high tunnels will be on your right before you get to the main office for the Center. From Vienna, IL: Take State Highway 146 east to State Highway 145. Take Highway 145 north for about 4 miles and the horticulture area and high tunnels will be on your left just past the main office for the Center.
This program is provided at no cost but pre-registration is appreciated. Please register online at 2018 Southern Illinois Summer Twilight Series or by calling 618-695-6060 no later than Friday, May 18, 2018. For more information about the Twilight Meeting contact:
Bronwyn Aly – baly@illinois.edu; 618-695-6060
Nathan Johanning – njohann@illinois.edu; 618-687-1727
Local Contact: Mr. Jody Johnson, Unit 27 Multi-County Director, 618-658-5321, jjhnsn@illinois.edu
or Carey Simmons, 618-745-5200, clsimmon@illinois.edu
— University of Illinois Extension
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