CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A new 30-minute documentary highlights three distinct stories about the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s rich history of agricultural innovation and discovery, from its early beginnings to ongoing efforts of helping feed a growing global population to ways the university is nourishing its own campus community. “Rooted in Discovery: Agriculture at Illinois” premieres at noon Wednesday, July 8, on the Big Ten Network as part of the network’s Illinois Day.
Stories in the documentary include:
Morrow Plots
To commemorate its 150th anniversary, this segment explores the lasting impact of the Morrow Plots. Established in 1876, it is the oldest continuous experimental crop field in the United States. Located in the heart of campus, this former patch of prairie has been cultivated year after year, generating invaluable data on soil health and agricultural sustainability that continues to inform researchers around the globe through a freely available dataset.
“Many parts of the world share a similar environment as the ‘Corn Belt of Illinois,’ and these regions stand to benefit from our communication. I’d argue that that goes both ways,” says Andrew Margenot, a professor of soil science and the director of the Morrow Plots.
The RIPE Project
By 2050, the world’s growing population is expected to require 50-70% more food production to meet global demand. Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) at the U. of I. is tackling this challenge by leading an international research effort aimed at improving photosynthesis, the natural process plants use to convert sunlight into energy. From gene editing to canopy architecture, RIPE researchers hope to increase yields and help build a more sustainable food future, especially in countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.
“While our focus is certainly on smallholder farms, we’re also making changes that we hope will benefit growers everywhere,” says Lisa Ainsworth, a professor of plant biology and the director of RIPE. In addition to addressing food insecurity, the team is also developing solutions to help crops withstand the challenges of a changing climate.
Sustainable Student Farm
Founded in 2009, the Sustainable Student Farm is a unique 5-acre, student-run educational farm that grows a wide array of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Through low-input, environmentally sustainable growing practices, the farm provides students with hands-on experience in horticulture while teaching valuable skills in food safety, farm operations, infrastructure management and marketing, among many other aspects of sustainable food production. On Thursdays, a stroll across Illinois’ Main Quad will likely lead you to the farm’s stand — one of campus’s most popular destinations for fresh, seasonal produce.
“It really completes the full cycle of having grown this food from seed sometimes and getting to see who’s going to be eating that food,” says Matt Turino, the Sustainable Student Farm manager. About half of what is grown on the farm makes its way into Illinois dining halls, including 12,000 to 18,000 pounds of tomatoes each year, which are transformed into homemade pizza sauce.
“Rooted in Discovery” was produced by Kaitlin Southworth for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Strategic Communications and Marketing.
Editor’s note:
For more information, contact Kaitlin Southworth, director of video development, 217-377-6584, kesouth@illinois.edu.
