As Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton took in southern Illinois’ diverse agriculture and natural resources Tuesday, she mused how to share that information with the rest of the state.

“I’m learning about everything this day,” Stratton said as she looked out from the porch of Tanglefoot Ranch in Pope County. “Marketing (the area) is an issue. I could see students (who study marketing) doing capstone projects marketing southern Illinois agriculture and what is going on in southern Illinois.”

Early Tuesday morning, Stratton learned about a wide variety of research conducted at the University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Research Center, near Simpson. She also gathered information about the region’s natural resources and research impact.

“There’s incredible beauty and so many natural resources,” Stratton said.    

Christopher Evans, U of I Extension forestry specialist, directed the lieutenant governor’s attention to 100 acres of timber in the state’s most heavily forested county. Evans explained three-fourths of the state’s 5 million forest acres are privately owned, but landowners need help to better manage their woodland resources. Dixon Springs does its part by demonstrating prescribed burns and other management practices and by offering classes and workshops, including one in making maple syrup  that draws 100 participants in early February.

“Maple syrup is a way to diversify your farm,” Evans said. “And be happy,” Stratton added with a laugh.

After Evans described how the management information could help landowners, Stratton and state Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, asked Evans about ways to share information on the workshops and  demonstrations with the public.

Related: Lt. Gov. Stratton has pursued ag lessons before. Read more here.

From the woods, the lieutenant governor was whisked to three 35-by-96 high tunnels to see research on some of the region’s specialty crops and new practices that extend the growing season and make efficient use of land. Bronwyn Aly, U of I Extension local foods educator, explained the tunnels allow growers to plant and harvest vegetable and fruit earlier to draw customers and receive premium prices.

Pointing to vertically growing strawberry plants, Aly said each column contained 16 plants and made a row of 350 plants. Strawberries were only one of several hydroponic crops growing in the tunnel. Those 350 strawberry plants growing horizontally would take the whole high tunnel space, she added.

The production efficiency makes a  substantial difference. The research center’s two high tunnels produced 7,000 pounds of produce, which was distributed to food banks in 11 counties. Aly harvested 1,000 pounds of tomatoes from one row. If sold on the commercial market, “we’re talking $16,000 gross sales from one tunnel,” she said.

Stratton focused on the grower accessibility to high tunnel technology and whether the information is widespread and available. She noted as farmers grapple with weather challenges and changing climate patterns, “this (high tunnel) seems to be part of the solution.”

The largest beef cattle research herd east of the Mississippi River offered the lieutenant governor a glimpse of Illinois’ cattle industry. Teresa Steckler, U  of I Extension commercial ag educator, explained  the value of the center’s cattle research projects, such as one on tall fescue grass, extends beyond Illinois and into Missouri and Kentucky. Lucas Neira, the center’s interim beef research manager, described a replacement heifer project that compares dry lot production with pasture. Researchers are monitoring  their average daily gain, respiration and other factors to compare how the two heifer groups perform, Neira explained.

Stratton and Fowler asked the educators what could improve their research and education efforts. One need that surfaced was a broader public reach with their research, workshops and resources. The lieutenant governor and senator speculated about ways to promote the educational resources and share information through marketing, social media and other methods.

The area’s most unusual livestock showed Stratton the diversity of southern Illinois agriculture. Standing beside a large indoor pool,  Grover Webb explained the process of raising freshwater shrimp at  Tanglefoot Ranch.  Webb operates the diverse farm with his brother,  Richard. 

In addition to raising shrimp and a 67-head crossbred beef herd, the Webbs grow raspberries and tomatoes in two high tunnels, five varieties of peaches, corn and soybeans. They also have 450 acres of pasture and timber.

“Southern Illinois is extremely reliant on agriculture – livestock, vegetables, grains ,” Fowler said. “We’ve got to continue to explore all we have to offer in southern Illinois. I learned things today,  but there are always more things we can learn. We have so many economic engines in southern Illinois that we haven’t put fuel in yet.”