Department of Agriculture at Illinois State

09/01/2026

A great look at the art, science, and people behind the Illinois State University Horticulture Center!

Make plans to experience it for yourself at the annual Autumnal Festival, September 12–13. One of our favorite fall traditions and well worth a visit!

Jessica Chambers '03, director of the Horticulture Center, highlights the research, exhibits, and beauty of Illinois State University's Horticulture Center.

08/26/2026

We had an awesome turnout tonight for our Welcome Back Event and RSO Fair following Festival ISU. It was great to see so many students connecting with our clubs and organizations, catching up with friends, meeting new people, and getting involved.

A huge thank you to our friends at GROWMARK for providing the pizza and spending the evening with our students sharing the many opportunities available throughout the GROWMARK cooperative system. We appreciate their continued partnership and support of our students and department!

Go, You Redbirds!

08/21/2026

Calling all agricultural leaders! Join the IALF community at Illinois State on December 4 for a great day of learning, connecting, and investing in the future of Illinois agriculture.

The IALF One-Day Master Class is more than a conference...it's an opportunity to reconnect with the IALF community, learn from exceptional leaders, and help shape the future of agriculture in Illinois.

​Whether you are a seasoned alumni leader, a member of the incoming class, or a champion of agricultural leadership, we invite you to be part of this inaugural event and invest in the continued growth of Illinois agriculture.

Master Class Admission:
• IALF Alumni: $40
• Non-Alumni: $50

Registration includes admission to the daytime Master Class on December 4, 2026, at the Illinois State University Alumni Center in Bloomington–Normal. Attendees will also select their preferred sessions across three breakout periods during registration.

Space is limited, and breakout sessions are assigned on a first-registered basis. Register early to secure your preferred sessions: https://www.agleadership.org/master-class

08/16/2026

Following a challenging weekend of severe weather, President Tarhule shares an update for our campus community as we begin the fall semester. Students should plan to attend their classes as scheduled. If an individual class needs to change, students will be notified directly by their instructor. Please continue to use caution around campus as recovery efforts continue. Read the president's full message. ▶️ https://go.illinoisstate.edu/4gAUf9u

08/14/2026

Stay safe, Redbirds!

08/13/2026

Stay safe, Redbirds.

08/13/2026

The Illinois State University Department of Agriculture is proud of and thankful for our longstanding partnership with GROWMARK, Inc.!

GROWMARK’s internship program provides our students, along with students from across campus, an outstanding opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on professional experience. Each summer culminates with the annual Intern Conclusion Meeting, where interns have the opportunity to showcase their work and present the projects they completed throughout the summer.

Our location in Bloomington-Normal puts Illinois State squarely in the beating heart of Illinois agriculture, and partnerships like this demonstrate just how valuable that location can be for our students.

Department Chair Dr. Lucas Maxwell and Dr. Maria Boerngen were proud to support the many Illinois State students who presented their internship projects and celebrated the completion of a successful summer.

Thank you to GROWMARK and its outstanding Talent Acquisition team for continuing to invest in our students. And most importantly, congratulations to all of the 2026 interns on a job well done!

Go, You Redbirds!

08/07/2026

Congratulations to Dr. David Kopsell, who received the 2026 Outstanding Membership Recruitment Award from the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at its annual conference!

Dr. Kopsell is co-author of a widely used electronic horticulture textbook that encourages students to take advantage of free undergraduate membership in ASHS. As more faculty across the country adopt the text, Dr. Kopsell’s impact on connecting the next generation of horticulture professionals with their professional society continues to grow.

We’re also excited to celebrate ISU Agriculture student Clare Montavon, recipient of the ASHS Scholar Award and a $1,500 scholarship!

Go, You Redbirds!

07/13/2026

As Illinois’ first public university and the largest preparer of teachers in the state, supporting educators has always been part of who we are. While many know us for preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders, we’re equally proud to continue our long tradition of investing in the teachers who inspire them.

Today we kicked off our Animal & Veterinary Science Bootcamp! Thank you to Dr. Drew Lugar for leading the course and to FCAE for helping make this opportunity possible.

07/10/2026

Groundbreaking research led by Illinois State University is helping transform wild pennycress into a profitable cover crop that could benefit farmers, strengthen sustainability, and shape the future of agriculture. Congratulations to the entire research team on this outstanding achievement! 👏

Read/Watch more:

A cross-disciplinary team of Illinois State University researchers, led by Professor of Genetics John Sedbrook, has genetically transformed wild pennycress into a cash cover crop that can benefit farmers and the environment.