Why Bother with Windbreaks? Monthly Farm Tour

Think you’ve seen it all after one farm tour? Think again!

Join us monthly as we dive into the seasonal highlights of the Savanna Institute Illinois Demonstration Farms. Every first Saturday of the month, MJ Oviatt or Kaitie Adams will guide you on a walking tour of Hudson Farm (Urbana) or 4-H Memorial Camp Farm (Monticello), spotlighting certain aspects of these dynamic demonstration sites.

First hour: walking tour of the farm

Second hour: interactive activity on the farm

September Focus

Let’s Get Nuts!

• Tree nut crops for Illinois: Heartnut (Japanese walnut), Hazelnut, Northern Pecan, Black Walnut, Chinese chestnut
• Cultivar trials, breeding work at Savanna Institute
• Establishment practices
• Best management practices, pests, disease issues
• Market opportunities
• Ecosystem benefits of nut trees

September Interactive Activity:

• Bioblitz! Identify as many species as possible in the nut tree rows.

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The Savanna Institute Illinois Demonstration Farms grow on the unceded lands of the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Odawa, Sauk, Meskwaki, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Chickasaw peoples. The soil we work with and the nourishment it provides are rich only because of generations of knowledge, wisdom, and care. This land continues to carry stories, fight for survival and identity, and celebrations of resilience and joy. It is our obligation as agroforesters not only to acknowledge this past, but actively support, listen to, and amplify the rights and demands of Indigenous communities, now and into the future.

Please note, we often take photos at our events to share with our audience for educational and promotional purposes. If you want to opt out of being in photos, please let MJ know at the event or by emailing her at [email protected]. Thank you!

Host or Publisher Savanna Institute