Growing degree days since April 1: 3206 GDD (Average (11 year): 3191) at Springfield (From the Illinois State Water Survey Degree-Day Calculator)
4 inch soil temp: 67.6° F at Springfield (10 am 4-inch Soil Temperature Under Bare Soil; From the Illinois State Water Survey Illinois Climate Network)
Vegetable Diversification. Attended a field day at Prairierth Farm in Atlanta and had the opportunity to "see the organic farm that defines diversification." The farm produces vegetables, poultry, beef, pigs, and variety of value-added products. High tunnel production is a big part of their farming operation. For fall production, winter crops were sown on August 15 and 30 day crops (spinach, lettuce, etc.) will be sown on October 1. As an organic certified farm, fertility is provide via compost (applied in the spring) and some greensand (an organic source of potassium) when required. Hans Bishop is looking to employ cover crops into his rotation next year. For information about high tunnels and year-round production, check out The Winter Harvest Handbook by Eliot Coleman.
And on that note, Eliot Coleman will be the keynote speaker at the 2014 Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organic Conference that will be held January 8-10 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield.
#MyFarmBill This week, the USDA launched #MyFarmBill, a social media campaign emphasizing the importance of Farm Bill programs. As part of the campaign, USDA is asking people across the country to use their own voices and gadgets to make video stories about what the Farm Bill means to them and why we need a comprehensive Food, Farms, and Jobs Bill. For more information, click here.
Source: University of Illinois at Urbana