Whether you lead a big-time farming operation or grow produce in your backyard, the end of the growing season is here.

Doug Gucker is a small farms educator and agronomist for the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties and indicates low prices are something producers on a bigger scale are not immune to. A recent publication by the University of Illinois is promoting defensive planning for producers.

For those growing vegetable gardens, Gucker indicates the growing season is about over. Even if growers have a greenhouse, the daylight hours are not sufficient any longer for good growing conditions.

Additionally, Illinois is the nation's top pumpkin-producing state in the country and those specialty growers are starting to see the end of their year.

For more from Gucker on small farm operations and other ag musings, find his offerings at extension.illinois.edu/dmp.