Community Invited to U of I’s Harvest Open House to Explore Today’s Agriculture

Sep 24, 2024

By Lauren Quinn

Looking for a family-friendly event this weekend? Check out the third annual Crop Sciences Harvest Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Agronomy Seed House south of campus.

Hosted by the Department of Crop Sciences and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the Harvest Open House will feature interactive exhibits, activities, and fun for all ages.

Visitors can look forward to learning about the Sustainable Student Farm; exploring popcorn genomics while creating popcorn art; touring nearby fields to see harvest in action; seeing biological control of pest insects in real time; learning how perennial grasses can generate energy; checking out tractors and other farm equipment on display; pumpkin and face painting; and much more. Other activities include turning wheat into pasta, shelling corn, digging in a bin of corn for prizes, pedal tractors, and more.

“We hope to convey, through hands-on science activities for children and teens, the fascinating science behind food crop genetics, production, and interactions with insects, diseases, native flowering plants, and more,” says crop sciences professor Andrea Faber Taylor. “Plus, nothing gives more ‘feelings of fall’ than being immersed in a farm setting with pumpkins, corn, and crops being harvested right in front of you!”

Adam Davis, head of the Department of Crop Sciences, adds, “We look forward to welcoming the community for a fall day outdoors in our living classroom. This year’s Harvest Open House will offer plenty for everyone to explore.”

Between the games and snacks, visitors will learn today’s agriculture doesn’t fit old stereotypes. It means developing sustainable, regenerative systems to ensure an abundant food supply and a healthy environment; melding computer science and crop science to leverage big data generated by precision agriculture systems; breeding climate-adapted crops for a changing world; developing smart tools to battle weeds and pests that threaten food and fuel security; and so much more.

Harvest Open House attractions will be located at the Agronomy Seed House at 2102 S. Wright St. in Urbana. The event is free; donuts and coffee will be available in the morning for purchase from the undergraduate student organization Field & Furrow .

Source : illinois.edu

Video: Understanding the Basics of the Renewable Fuel Standard

On Friday, April 24, 2026, from 12 noon–1:00 ET, the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, alongside the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s (PDA) Agricultural Business Development Center (ABDC), presented this webinar in the Understanding Agricultural Law Educational Series, a course designed to develop subject matter literacy and competence on fundamental issues of agricultural law for attorneys and business advisors who work with or represent agricultural or rural clients but may not necessarily specialize in agricultural law:

“Understanding the Basics of the Renewable Fuel Standard”

The Clean Air Act’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program requires transportation fuel sold in the United States to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, or advanced biofuels. Established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and later expanded by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the RFS is implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with the Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

This webinar provides an overview of the legal authority and structure for the RFS program and explain how it works, including the program’s system of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and categories of renewable fuels. Additionally, this webinar addresses EPA annual volume requirement rulemaking and associated recent legal issues.