|
|||||
|
|||||||||
| J.F. Richards Land Laboratory: Demonstration & Research Farm |
|||||||||
|
|
For more information, contact: Jeff Wessel Land Lab Manager Agriculture Department 1215 Houbolt Road Joliet, IL 60431-8938 Email: jwessel@jjc.edu Phone:(815)280-6602
|
||||||||
|
Eighteen different agronomic studies ranging from evaluations of CRW insecticides
and transgenic RW corn to planting dates and tillage, and soybean aphid
control treatments are available. The demonstration & research farm consists of 107 acres of land dedicated to educational crop production. The farm is dedicated to the Richards family, the previous owners of the land, which the Main Campus of Joliet Junior College is presently located. The Agriculture department established the farm in 1983. |
 |
||||||||
 |
Members of the farm committee and the Agriculture Advisory committee provide input to projects evaluated on the farm. In 2003, 18 agronomic studies were implemented. Some of the practices evaluated were: CRW insecticides and Bt-RW corn, herbicides in corn and soybean, soybean aphid treatment, N rates and N timing in corn, tillage systems, row spacing and populations in soybean, and planting dates in both corn and soybean. | ||||||||
| The demonstration & research farm serves as a teaching tool for instructors to utilize hands-on-learning as a means to reinforce classroom instruction. Additionally, the farm serves as a means for students to obtain a visual and participatory role in the operation of farm equipment, observe the effects of various soil-fertility levels, row spacing, seeding rates, planting dates, and soil compaction on crop growth and development. Students also can gain an understanding of various tillage systems and crop protection practices involved in the management of weeds, insects, and diseases. |
 |
||||||||
 |
Students enrolled in soils and fertilizer classes study soil series, fertility levels, and soil-sampling techniques. Crops class labs involve evaluating yields, disease pressure, and pest concentrations. Students taking the ag chemicals class evaluate the efficacy of herbicides in both corn and soybean, and corn rootworm larval insecticides. | ||||||||
|
|
 |
||||||||
