Apr 27, 2021

Extension announces Southern Illinois Summer Twilight Series

Do you grow and sell fresh products locally? Are you considering diversifying your farming operation? Would you like to get to know your local farmer? Join University of Illinois Extension educators as they team up with area farmers to provide four monthly evening meetings to highlight and demonstrate diverse farming enterprises across southern Illinois.

The series will provide participants an opportunity to experience different types of production and marketing practices utilized by southern Illinois producers. By meeting on working farms, participants have the opportunity for a “hands-on” learning experience as well as a chance to ask questions.

Throughout the four twilight meetings, growers and Extension educators will provide information on the following topics: annual plasticulture strawberry production, insect pests in high tunnel production and management strategies with natural predators, high tunnel vegetable production, no-till tomato and pepper production, regenerative grazing techniques in cattle production, and utilizing roadside stands and other techniques to direct-market products.

“At each of the meetings, individuals will have a networking opportunity which is an important step in forming relationships with other local enterprises,” said Bronwyn Aly. “This opportunity helps to increase business for both parties, grow the capacity of our local foods and small farms, and support a stronger, more sustainable, regional economy.”

The meetings are scheduled monthly on Mondays from May through August from 6-8 p.m. Scheduled are:

• May 17 – Plasticulture strawberry production at Flamm Orchards, 8760 Old Highway 51 N., Cobden.

• June 21 – High tunnel insect management & vegetable production atDixon Springs Agricultural Center, 354 State Hwy. 145 N., Simpson.

• July 12 – No-till tomato & pepper production at Baebler Educational Farm, 4022 JJ Rd., Waterloo.

• Aug. 16 – Regenerative grazing in cattle production at Bauman Family Farm, 2230 Buncombe Rd., Vienna

There is no cost to attend these in-person programs, but pre-registration is required as capacity is limited to 50 participants for each meeting to allow for social distancing. Please do not attend if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms. Face masks will be required by attendees and staff.

To register online for any or all of the meetings in this series, go to go.illinois.edu/2021TwilightSeries. To register by phone call 618-695-2441.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact Aly at [email protected]. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your needs. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

For more information, contact: Aly at 618-695-2441 or [email protected]; Nathan Johanning at 618-939-3434 or [email protected]; or Katie Bell at 618-687-1727 or [email protected].