By Andi Anderson

The University of Illinois Extension has welcomed Emily Hansen as a commercial agriculture educator for Bureau, La Salle, Marshall, and Putnam counties. Hansen, who joined the team in November 2023, brings a strong background in agriculture, with a focus on soil health and sustainable farming practices. She holds a master’s degree in biological sciences from Illinois State University, where she researched the impact of cover crops on soil microbial communities. Coming from a farming family in Grundy County, Hansen has deep roots in agricultural practices.

In her new role, Hansen is dedicated to supporting local farmers and landowners by developing and delivering research-based programs. She also collaborates with community partners to address a wide range of agricultural topics. Hansen’s expertise includes soil health, plant-microbe interactions, and cover crops, which are key components of sustainable farming.

In 2024, Hansen has already made significant contributions, including organizing the Farmland Owners Conference at Illinois Valley Community College, hosting a roundtable discussion on cover crops, starting an agriculture-focused blog called Field Notes, and coordinating the IVCC Ag + Extension Fall Field Day.

She is available to assist with questions related to row crop production and can be reached at the Illinois Extension office at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby, or by phone at 815-224-0896. For more information on upcoming events, visit the Illinois Extension website at go.illinois.edu/BLMPAg.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski