One yardstick Western Illinois University Assistant Professor Shelby Henning uses to measure the results of his vegetable research is how full the harvest makes the bed of his vintage Chevrolet El Camino. The production of tomatoes and numerous varieties of bell peppers is part of federally-funded grant research into the use of a high tunnel to extend the growing season for vegetable farmers. The United States Department of Agriculture grant helped build the 30-foot by 100-foot plastic-covered structure on the University’s agricultural research farm, which is used to protect plantings from... Read More

MACOMB, IL – For the third year in a row, the Western Illinois University School of Agriculture is partnering with the Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) to provide programming for high school agriculture classes across the state. Through the Soil Health Bucket program, 90 schools receive a five-gallon bucket of supplies for evaluating soil functions and a comprehensive curriculum for engaging students in employing the interacting impact of soil type and soil management. Topics covered in the curriculum include water filtering and storage, nutrient provision and cycling and conversion of crop... Read More