Summer Horticulture Field Day 2026

Summer Horticulture Field Day 2026 will be taking place at Rader Family Farms in Normal, Illinois on Thursday, June 11th beginning at 8:30 am. (Please see the proposed tentative agenda for more information.)

This year, we are excited to tour a newly established high density orchard at an established agritoursim destination in Central Illinois. We will tour the operation with the Rader Family and hear from Extension Specialists, and Educators about specialty crop diseases, pests, horticultural practices in apples, flowers, and pumpkins.

Rader Family Farms is a fourth-generation family operation rooted in nearly 80 years of agricultural heritage. Established in 1935 as Plainview Guernsey Dairy Farm, the Rader family built their livelihood on hard work, faith, and stewardship of the land. After transitioning from dairy to grain farming in 1970, the family expanded to farm approximately 2,400 acres of corn and soybeans across McLean County. What began over 20 years ago as a small pumpkin stand has since grown into a vibrant destination farm, now spanning 80 acres and featuring pumpkins, gourds, squash, and more recently, a diverse orchard with thousands of apple trees.

Hear from the Rader family about their business, as they have continued to grow and evolve their amazing agritourism destination. Specialty crop industry researchers, suppliers, and industry partners will also be on site to help inform and answer questions throughout the day. Please join us for a fun and informative on-farm learning experience, to connect with growers and experts have to say about issues facing our industry going forward this season!

TENTATIVE AGENDA:

8:00-8:30AM Arrival and Registration

8:30-9:00AM Welcome & Introduction, Coffee and Donuts provided

9-12:00PM Breakout Sessions, choose between Session A or B

Session A: Outdoor Walking Field Tour

Sunflowers, Zinnias, and Mums

Growing Trials, PGR Experiment, Weed control recommendations

Apples (Root stock selection, training and pruning, thinning, drainage tile, etc.)

History, Layout, & Installation of new high density orchard; Apple Varieties, Rootstocks and U-Pick Platform,

Hedging experiment & Summer Pruning, Pollination Experiment (Nolan Lake & Dr. Scott Clem - ISU)

Pumpkin production

Growing Methods and Varieties on 12 Acres, Field Layout & Growing on plastic, Disease & Insect Control, . Benefits to having a dedicated sprayer (Vincent Mmata)

Featured Speakers throughout specialty crop presentations:

Plant Pathology - Dr. Mohammad Babadoost, University of Illinois

Entomology - Dr. Kacie Athey, University of Illinois

Horticulture - Dr. James Santiago, University of Illinois

Session B: Retail & Commercial Kitchen Tour

Discussion: Rader Family Farm’s Orchard Event Barn - Donna Verda

Planning an Event Space, Revenue Opportunities, Operational Considerations

Visit: Rader Family Farm’s Pumpkin Barn - Amy Hughes

Creating a space for Retail, Top Sellers, Testing New Items

Tour: Rader Family Farm’s Commercial Kitchens - David Apps

Working with the Local Health Department (food permits, water testing), Highligts of Value Added &

Signature Food Items, Local Farmers Markets & Partnerships: Dough for Donuts

12:00-1:30PM Lunch & Lunchtime Presentations:

Blessing of Meal -  Rader Family

ISGA Chairperson’s Updates - Jenna Spychal

ISHS President's Comments & Regional Grower Crop Report - Austin Flamm

1:30-3:00PM Overview of Agritourism Operation and Tour - Rader Family Farms

Precision Planted Corn Maze - Jason Kieser, Our Favorite Activities and Why, School Tours and Self

Guided Tours, Discussion on things we have done well and changes to be made moving forward.