Exit from Interstate 55 at Exit 178—Lexington exit.
At top of ramp, turn east (toward Lexington) on 2475N Rd.
At next stop sign (0.7 mi), turn left (North) on 2450E Rd.
Go 1.2 miles (over Interstate 55).
Take first right (east) on 2555N Rd.
Illinois State University Farm is 1.3 miles on the right.
Illinois State University maintains a university farm to support teaching, research, and outreach activities of the Department of Agriculture. All of the farm operations are located at the IIllinois State University Farm at Lexington.
Current enterprises at the University Farm include corn, soybeans, alfalfa, swine, beef, and sheep. The farm program currently has eight full-time employees in addition to numerous student employees.
The main goal of the University Farm is to educate students. This is a critical function of the farm due to the limited farm experience of many students. Even though most of today's students won't be farm owners, hands-on-farming experience is an important part of their education and preparation for careers that directly relate to the production sector of agriculture.
Virtually all agricultural and agribusiness majors use the farm at least once while at Illinois State University. Many students have little or no farm background and the University Farm provides their only opportunity to receive “hands on” experience at a farm. The farm supports Agriculture 201: Food, Resources, and Society, a course that compares agricultural systems around the world, and professors use the "Crops of the World Plot" to showcase plants from around the world and to educate students about the many uses of plants--from human food to animal feed to fiber.
The University Farm also offers many employment opportunities for students. The farm manager, , is responsible for hiring and supervising student workers. Interested students may contact him at: (309) 365-2211.
The farm increases the capability to do quality research. The amount of external funding generated to do research is expected to increase and greater diversity of research projects will lead to more alliances with external partners, which in turn will lead to improved employment opportunities for graduates.
Several private companies have shown interest in collaborating in research in the new facilities. Expanded industry linkages will be good for the industry, the University, the department and our students.
Research in waste management strategies benefits not only the school but also the community. The University Farm composts virtually all manure produced on the farm to reduce odor and environmental impact of livestock waste. Illinois State has developed partnerships with commercial enterprises to make the compost available to the public for use in lawns, gardens, and flower beds.
The University Farm supports corporate educational initiatives. State Farm Insurance Company has used the farm to educate employees to conduct safety audits on farms. Crop protection companies such as Pioneer/DuPont and Mycogen/Dow use plots at the farm to educate employees about new products and weed identification. Several companies cooperate with the University Farm to demonstrate seed varieties and host field days for employees and customers. (The Peoria Journal Star, August 2001)
We look forward to showing off the Lexington farm to alumni. Please stop by the farm if you are in the area.
Alumni partnerships are important to the future of the farm. Continuous needs for maintaining and upgrading the farm will be a never-ending cycle. Alumni or others interested in naming opportunities should contact for further information.
