University News

Allison Farm Field Day Aug. 3

June 23, 2011

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Cover crop research at WIU's Allison Organic Research and
Demonstration Farm. Learn more about the Allison Farm
and the 2010 Field Day at youtu.be/GAqx-bQMla0.

MACOMB, IL -- Steve Groff, a farmer and a pioneer of the Tillage Radish cover crop, will be the keynote speaker at this year's Allison Organic Research and Demonstration Farm Field Day, slated for Wednesday, Aug. 3. The Western Illinois University School of Agriculture's Allison Farm and the nearby Dakin Farm shop (located in Warren County) are the venues for the annual Field Day event, which provides organic and conventional farmers alike the opportunity to learn about on-farm research, building soil organic matter, improving water quality and other conservation strategies.


The theme for this year's event is "Partnerships for Innovation," and thanks to a new partnership with the Illinois Organic Growers Association, the 2011 Field Day will have a newly added morning session, "Methods and Metrics for Soil Conservation and Stewardship; What Works for You?" beginning at 9:30 a.m. A free lunch will be offered at noon, and Groff's keynote speech is slated for 12:30 p.m., followed by two tours of the Allison Organic Research and Demonstration Farm. A detailed list of the schedule and presentations is available below.


All field day activities, except for the Allison Farm tours, will take place in the Dakin Farm shop located down the road from the Allison Farm. The Field Day event is open free to the public, but advance registration on or before Monday, Aug. 1 for the morning session and lunch is required. To register by phone, contact Carol Elder at the Illinois Organic Growers Association at (217) 454-1204 or register online at http://illinoisorganicgrowers.org/category/community/events.

Allison Farm Field Day 2011 Schedule of Events

  • 9:30 a.m. -- "Methods and Metrics for Soil Conservation and Stewardship; What Works for You?" (Dakin Farm Shop)
    This interactive session will feature a discussion among researchers, agency specialists (e.g. representatives of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the Environmental Protection Agency) and audience members. The session will cover conservation standards, programs, tools and tests. Audience members will be able to provide instant input through an electronic audience-response system.
  • 11:30 a.m. -- Joel Gruver Presentation (Dakin Farm Shop)
    Joel Gruver, director of WIU's Allison Organic Research and Demonstration Farm and assistant professor in Western's School of Agriculture, will provide an overview of recent research results at the Allison Farm.
  • Noon -- Free luncheon featuring local farm products
  • 12:30 p.m. -- Steve Groff (of Cover Crop Solutions) Keynote Presentation
    Groff will discuss how on-farm research has helped him utilize cover crops and conservation tillage work on his diversified vegetable/grain/forage/livestock farm in southeastern Pennsylvania. More information about Groff and his company, Cover Crop Solutions, is available at www.tillageradish.com.
  • 1:30 p.m. -- Networking and Open Discussion Session Facilitated by the University of Illinois Extension
  • 1:45 p.m. -- Allison Organic Research and Demonstration Farm tour led by Gruver
  • 2:45 p.m. -- Allison Organic Research and Demonstration Farm tour led by Gruver

For more information about the Allison Farm and/or the Field Day 2011, contact Gruver at the WIU School of Agriculture at (309) 298-1080. To register for the Aug. 3 Field Day morning session and lunch, contact Carol Elder at the Illinois Organic Growers Association at (217) 454-1204 or via email at illinoisorganicgrowers@gmail.com. Online registration for the morning session and the lunch is also available at http://illinoisorganicgrowers.org/category/community/events. Learn more about the Allison Farm at 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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