If you come in the main gate at the Farm Progress Show, turn right, and see orange and blue, there’s only one thing it can mean: You’ve found the University of Illinois Tent.

Located south of the main entrance on West Avenue, the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Tent will feature a large group of exhibitors at this year’s show in Decatur, Ill., says Kendra Courson, special events director for the College of ACES. “Nearly 20 units from the College of ACES and Extension will be exhibiting,” she says.

Among the highlights, University of Illinois Extension and the Illinois 4-H Foundation will be reconnecting with 4-H alums across the state during the Farm Progress Show. Any 4-H alum registering at the Farm Progress Show will receive a free T-shirt and membership in the Illinois 4-H Alumni Association.

“Come visit our booth and relive those wonderful memories of your 4-H club days,” Courson says.

Producers can also take advantage of information in the U of I Extension Commercial Agriculture and Small Farms area of the tent. Representatives of the Farm Business Farm Management Association will be on hand to answer questions and share information.

“Parents and prospective students will be able to meet with representatives of the ACES Academic Programs office,” Courson adds.

Field-to-table efforts will be an emphasis of Food Science and Human Nutrition and the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory, and representatives of Crop Sciences, Animal Sciences, and Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences will be present to discuss the latest trends in their respective fields.

As in past years, Orion Samuelson will provide a daily show at 10:30 a.m. Live market reports and analysis will begin each afternoon at 2 p.m. In addition, Vijay Singh will lead a 9:30 a.m. daily discussion on the I-72 corridor for bioproducts. This information will also be featured at the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory booth.

Attendees also can peruse the latest offerings from the Publications Plus catalog.

For even more news you can use, be sure to tune in to AM1610 on your way to and from the show. College of ACES staff will offer show traffic and parking updates. The temporary radio station is exclusively for Farm Progress Show information and can be picked up anywhere within 7 miles of the show site.

The Farm Progress Show runs Aug. 29-31.

Calling all ACES alums

The College of ACES Alumni Association will be greeting ACES alumni in the tent and providing them with tote bags and stickers to showcase their Illini pride during the show and beyond.

“The Farm Progress Show brings together alumni and friends of the College of ACES in one location for three days. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to visit with our ACES alumni working and visiting the show, including several international alumni who return to the U.S. to attend the show. We hope to see you there!” says Tina Veal, ACES alumni director.