University News
Organic Research Farm Field Day Aug. 12
August 2, 2010
MACOMB, IL -- Weed management, bio-energy and weatherproofing are on the agenda for the Western Illinois University Organic Research Program's annual Allison Farm Field Day this month. According to Joel Gruver, manager of the Allison Farm and assistant professor in Western's School of Agriculture, the Field Day event is slated from noon-5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12 at the Dakin Farm shop and at the School of Ag's Allison Organic Farm.
"The theme this year is cropping-system strategies for suppressing weeds, bio-energy and weatherproofing your farm," explained Gruver. "Matt Liebman, professor of agronomy at Iowa State University, is the keynote speaker, and he will talk about his research on diversified cropping systems that maximize ecological processes while maintaining productivity and profitability. Liebman's work was featured in a recent issue of Farm Journal." (see http://agweb.com/get_article.aspx?src=gennews&pageid=157613)
Gruver noted that other speakers include John Masiunas, a weed ecologist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Gordon Roskamp, professor in Western's School of Ag and weed management specialist; and Luke Holst, a Western geography graduate student whose family, owners of a cash-grain and livestock farm in Augusta (IL), powers equipment by sunflower oil, which is grown, extracted and blended (50/50 with diesel) on the Holst farm.
Events will begin at noon at the Dakin Farm shop, with a free lunch featuring local farm products. Liebman's keynote presentation will follow lunch; presentations by Masiunas, Roskamp and Holst will follow. At approximately 4 p.m., the program will transition to the Allison Farm, where Gruver will host a walking tour of research and production fields (including approximately 10 acres of sunflowers). An equipment demonstration is also scheduled (weather permitting).
The event is open free to the public, but registration is required on or before Monday, Aug. 9, for those who plan to attend the lunch event. To register, contact Andy Clayton at (309) 298-1172 or (217) 322-2639 or the WIU School of Agriculture at (309) 298-1080. Learn more about the Allison Organic Research and Demonstration Farm at www.wiu.edu/ag/organicfarm/.
Directions to the Dakin Farm shop (130 20th St., Roseville, IL):
If arriving from the north, travel on Rt. 67 five miles south of the Rt. 67 and Rt. 116 intersection in Roseville to County Rd. 20th Ave. N, then turn west and travel four miles on 20th Ave. to the southeast corner of the Allison Farm (intersection of 20th Ave. and 20th St.). Turn left and proceed south 0.7 miles on 20th St. to the Dakin Farm shop.
If arriving from the south, travel on Rt. 67 seven miles north of the Rt. 67 and Rt. 9 intersection in Good Hope to County Rd. 20th Ave. N, then turn west and travel four miles on 20th Ave. to the southeast corner of the Allison Farm (intersection of 20th Ave. and 20th St.). Turn left and proceed south 0.7 miles on 20th St. to the Dakin Farm shop.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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