The Illinois State Horticultural Society is proud to announce the annual Summer Horticulture Field Day at Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch in Champaign, Illinois.

The Curtis Orchard Family is proud to invite guests to tour their farm and agritainment operation on Thursday, June 8^th. In 1977 Paul and Joyce Curtis planted their first apple trees on their 80 acre farm, that had been passed down from generations of Paul's family that settled in Champaign in 1873. Their first crop was in 1980, & they hired their daughter Debbie's boyfriend Randy Graham part-time, so Paul could continue teaching to finance the business. Over the years, the family diversified the offerings on the farm to include cider, pumpkins, a bakery, restaurant, gift shop, and agritainment activities. The orchard now has 10,000 trees and about 30 different varieties of apples. The Grahams raised five children on the family farm, and their oldest daughter Rachel and her husband Jeremy Coventry now co-own the farm with Paul Curtis, Randy and Debbie Graham.

The field tour, lead by Randy Graham, will showcase how the family operates their farm highlighting apples transitioning to high density, pumpkin planting and growing practices, specialty equipment (with demonstrations), tour of sheds and discussion of equipment organization. The field tour will end with a discussion on beekeeping for pollination and honey from Rachel Coventry. The tour will feature updates from specialists in plant pathology, entomology, and weed & pest management from the University of Illinois and University of Illinois Extension as well as major industry supporters with new equipment, seed & nursery representatives, and other pertinent Agri-Industry members. For those not interested in the field tour, there will also be an indoor tour focusing on Farm Marketing, the family’s Restaurant & Bakery, large gift shop, and a discussion on employee management.

After lunch, guests of the field day also have the opportunity to visit Weinzierl Fruit Farm, an orchard started by Dr. Richard Weinzierl, Professor Emeritus in Entomology from the University of Illinois. His orchard is located 6 miles west of Curtis Orchard, and directions will be provided during the field day to those interested in visiting.

This is a great opportunity to learn from the Curtis Orchard Family about their experience operating an Agrotourism operation in Central Illinois, and have in field discussions with specialists and other growers from around the state.

8:00AM Registration

8:30AM Welcome & Introduction from the Curtis Orchard Family, General Overview of Operation

9-11:30AM Morning Breakout Sessions (See Below)

SESSION A Outdoor Field Tour (Wagon Rides)

Curtis Orchard Fruit & Vegetable Production (featuring apples, pumpkins, and peaches)- Randy Graham & Jeremy Coventry

Apples Transitioning to High Denisty, Pumpkin Planting & Growing Practices, Showcase & demonstration of specialty equipment, Tour of sheds with discussion on organization. 

Beekeeping for pollination and honey production - Rachel Coventry

Featured Speakers:

Plant Pathology - Dr. Mohammad Babadoost, University of Illinois

Entomology - Dr. Kacie Athey, University of Illinois

Horticulture - Dr. Brad Taylor, Southern Illinois University

Weed & Pest Management - Dr. Elizabeth Wahle & Nathan Johanning, U of I Extension

SESSION B Tour & Discussion of Farm Market, Bakery, and Flying Monkey Cafe - Debbie Graham, Rachel Coventry, & Staff

Discussion on Increasing flow of traffic in busy season, Store Displays and Retail Items, Hiring & Employee Management.

12-1:30PM Lunch & Lunchtime Presentations:

Blessing of Meal - Curtis Orchard Family

ISHS President's Comments - Jenna Spychal

ISGA Presentation & Updates - Randy Graham

State-Wide Crop Reports & Updates - ISHS Members

Exhibitor Introductions - Jenna Spychal

1:30-3PM Optional Afternoon Tour - Weinzierl Fruit Farm (6 mi west of Curtis Orchard)