The Cultivating Master Farmers Class of 2023 has been through a lot the past three years — especially for a class that started in 2019 and was only supposed to last two years. But throw in a pandemic, and all timeline bets are off. So that class was extended first to 2022, then to 2023. This summer marked its overnight tour, which centered on agricultural research and industry around Champaign, Ill.

“Getting to visit the campus of the University of Illinois is always rewarding,” says Darell Sarff, a 2018 Master Farmer.

Their stops took them to the following locations:

• The Morrow Plots (check out the song)
• Farmdoc education with Scott Irwin (follow him on Twitter)
• Research Park
• U of I South Farms Energy Farm
• U of I Feed Technology Center
• U of I Beef Farm
• Riggs Beer Co.
• Curtis Orchard

“I was so impressed with the Research Park. Even though we knew it was there, we got to see firsthand how it relates to the students and the projects they are working on,” Sarff adds. “This will be an asset to the university and to the students for years to come.”

Like Sarff, Research Park was a highlight for several of the farmers. Home to more than 120 companies in 18 buildings spread over 150 acres, Research Park began in 2001. Since then, 30 global corporations have started innovation centers there, and 60 startup companies are located in the “incubator” — where they’ve raised $1.1 billion in venture capital funding since it opened. Companies say they come there because of the access to research and innovative students. More than 2,200 people are employed at Research Park, including nearly 900 students.

CMF is a unique two-year mentorship program that connects a select group of young farmers with folks who have been through it all and are willing to share their sage advice: Prairie Farmer Master Farmers. The program was organized in 2005 and is sponsored by Farm Credit Illinois, Compeer Financial, Illinois Farm Bureau, Growmark, Bayer and Prairie Farmer.

Are you a young farmer who’s interested in this program? Applications for the next class will open in the spring of 2023.