The Highland Community College Ag program is partnering with the University of Illinois Extension to host a Crop Research Field Day from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at the Highland agriculture research plot located at 3472 W. Loras Dr., Freeport, Ill. Access to the plot is also at 3579 W. Stephenson Rd. Freeport, Ill.
The 15-acre plot serves as a land lab where students gain hands-on experience with crop production and research design. Topics of research this year include tar spot fungicide trials, fungicide timing trials, effect of cover crops on corn performance, nitrogen rate trials, corn population trials, an industrial hemp variety demonstration, and a cover crop species demonstration. Highland intends to share the progress of this research at this event and plans to report the final data to the public at the conclusion of the growing season.
The ag research plot is in its second year of production at Highland Community College through generous sponsorships from Hinrichs’ Family Farms, Stephenson Service Company, Ogle County Farm Bureau, Stephenson County Farm Bureau, and Forreston State Bank.
The field day is free, however, participants are asked to register by Friday, Aug. 30, at go.illinois.edu/HighlandResearchDemo. A light breakfast will be served. For more information call the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County at 815-235-4125.