On August 6, the University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Center is hosting a field day that will interest crop producers and fruit and vegetable growers. The event runs from 8 a.m. to noon and includes a complimentary lunch. Continuing education units for Certified Crop Advisers will be available.

Horticulture topics include the basics of strawberry production, tomatoes and peppers, blueberry production and blackberry basics.

The agronomy tour will highlight these topics: pest problems for 2009, weed control and potential carry-over problems with late-planted crops, current corn issues, biomass production in southern Illinois, high-yield soybean management challenges, and soil fertility.

No advance registration is needed. For more details, call 618-695-2441, or visit the SI Agriculture website.

The Dixon Springs Ag Center is located 25 miles south of Harrisburg, Illinois, and 25 miles north of Paducah, Kentucky, on Illinois Route 145.