The Dudley Smith Farm in Christian County is a 228-acre agriculture research center. 

Tuesday, the farm held its winter meeting. Ed Ballard, the coordinator, says the annual event is a great opportunity to update everyone on the progress of researching cover crops, soil health, crop rotations, and more. 

Ballard says Dudley Smith held the most farmland in the country for some time. As part of his legacy, he donated a bunch of land across the Midwest. 

The use of cover-crops has exploded since the farm’s research started decades ago. 

As for next year, Ballard says the initiative will make a change in crop to see if it improves soil health. 

Learn more at dsi.aces.illinois.edu.