University of Illinois Extension and Illinois Valley Community College announced the opening of a new chapter in its expanding soil and crop research partnership with the development of a stand-alone research plot at IVCC just south of the Oglesby campus.

The eight-acre plot has been planted with soybeans and is being used to conduct a replicated soybean population study. The study has three planting populations: 100,000, 140,000 and 180,000 plants per acre.

Extension staff Russ Higgins and Daryle Wragge will record data. Higgins is an Extension educator with a commercial agriculture emphasis while Wragge is a coordinator of ag and natural resources programs.

Test plot data will be obtained from the yield monitor on the combine during fall harvesting. Research is being conducted in close cooperation with Chris Kolodziej, who has contracted with IVCC to farm its land. The Extension will offer a late season scouting workshop at the site Tuesday, Aug. 15.

This is an exciting step in the quickly developing partnership between IVCC and the University of Illinois Extension/College of ACES," said IVCC President Jerry Corcoran. "We are pleased to be working with one of the worlds premier colleges of agriculture.

I also want to express our appreciation for the essential cooperation of Chris Kolodziej. Having Chris handle the IVCC farming operation is a major plus for the college, Corcoran added.

The enhanced research program is the latest chapter in the IVCC-Extension partnership. IVCCs effort to build a new agriculture program was aided greatly by the partnership, according to a press release from the college.

The relationship began three years ago with Extension moving its four-county main office to IVCC. The counties are Bureau, La Salle, Marshall and Putnam.

The Extensions significant resources and vast network of clients played a major role in helping us plan and carry out the successful ag program launch, Corcoran said.

Extension County Director Jill Guynn, said, "The Extension provides both direct, research-based educational programming and also works in cooperation with local partners to address needs that improve the quality of life for area residents.

It has been a pleasure to work with IVCC to develop the new agriculture program and to enhance local resources and services for residents and the ag industry. Through this partnership, we will bring more programs from the College of ACES and create opportunities for more youth and adults.

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IVCC and Extension partner on ag research plot - MyWebTimes.com