What the Dudley Smith Farm Field Day Is
The Dudley Smith Farm Field Day is the annual summer field day of the Dudley Smith Initiative, held with University of Illinois Extension at the Dudley Smith Farm Research Center near Pana. It is a guided walking tour of research plots that helps agricultural producers learn about current research on water quality, conservation practices and related topics. Attendees see up close the technology and methods researchers use to collect data from farm fields.
The most recent edition was held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The tour topics include tile drainage, water quality, bioreactors and field-scale conservation management.
How It Works: The Timeline
- 9:00 a.m.: Sign-in begins.
- 9:30 a.m.: The walking tour starts on the northeast side of the farm.
- About 11:30 a.m.: The program ends. Light refreshments are provided.
Stops and Speakers
| Speaker | Topic |
|---|---|
| Giovani Preza Fontes, assistant professor, Crop Sciences | Measuring nutrient losses from subsurface drainage systems and the infrastructure used to test nutrient loss reduction strategies |
| Luciano Alves de Oliveira, assistant professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering | How bioreactors and drainage water recycling can improve water quality |
| Andrew Margenot, associate professor, Crop Sciences | Pathways of nitrogen and phosphorus loss |
| Bin Peng, assistant professor, Crop Sciences | How conservation management addresses water quality at the watershed scale |
| Travis Meteer, commercial agriculture educator, Illinois Extension | Benefits cover crops bring to Illinois farmland |
Who Can Attend and What to Bring
The field day is free and open to the public, though it is designed for producers and landowners who want to understand drainage, nutrient loss and conservation practices. Registration is required, and seating is limited because this is a walking tour.
- Wear clothing suited to the weather and to walking across the farm.
- A lawn chair is optional.
- Park along E. 700 North Rd.
Key Dates and Deadlines
For the 2026 edition, the registration deadline was Friday, June 12, 2026, five days before the field day. Registration was online at go.illinois.edu/DSFFieldDay26. Plan to register about a week ahead if the event returns in a similar form.
Fees and What You Get
There is no charge. Attendees get a researcher-led look at drainage and water-quality experiments, answers to questions about nutrient loss from tile-drained fields, and light refreshments.
Where to Go
Dudley Smith Farm Research Center, 2200 E 600 North Road, Pana, IL 62557, in Christian County. The farm is off Route 29, between Taylorville and Pana.
Questions
Is it free?
Yes. The event is free and open to the public.
Do I have to sign up?
Yes. Registration is required and seating is limited.
Is the tour accessible?
It is a walking tour. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Cassie O'Connell of Illinois Extension through the event page.
Who do I call?
The Christian County Extension Office at 217-287-7246.
What time should I arrive?
Sign-in starts at 9:00 a.m. and the walking tour begins at 9:30 a.m.
Official Links
- Dudley Smith Farm Field Day 2026: University of Illinois Extension event page with agenda, speakers and registration
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Christian County Fair
A five-day county fair in Taylorville in central Illinois. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 21-25, 2026.
Taylorville, IL Official event details - Pana Tri-County Fair
Held each year in Pana, the Pana Tri-County Fair most recently ran Sept. 2-7, 2026. Check with the fair board for the next schedule before planning a visit.
Pana, IL Official event details - Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
The 2026 IFB Annual Meeting is scheduled for December 12-15 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Illinois Farm Bureau delegates gather each December to set policy and elect leadership.
- Illinois Farm Bureau Newer Presidents Seminar
A one-day January 2027 seminar for newer county Farm Bureau presidents, held at the IAA Building on Towanda Avenue in Bloomington.
1701 Towanda Ave, Bloomington, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details - From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference
The 2027 From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference runs January 27-29 at the Bank of Springfield Center, serving Illinois specialty growers and local-food producers.
Springfield, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.