University Farms

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Last Updated: May 21, 2025, 10:15 AM

SIU Universities Farms

Experiential, hands-on learning and specialized research undertakings form a vital part of the SIU Carbondale College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences experience.

Students and faculty value immersive research and creative activity and can often be found working at one of the cutting-edge Research and Education Centers on campus.

University Farms, a unique, 2,000 acres, on-campus working farm and forest system, serves as a major agricultural research and education laboratory. Showcasing the best in traditional agricultural education and new research, University Farms offers:

  • Over 600 acres of row crop research and production
  • Over 120 acres hay production for livestock
  • Approximately 300 acres pasture for Animal Centers
  • Approximately 1,000 acres of forest and watershed areas are used for research and teaching

Areas of research excellence include:

  • Biotechnology
  • Plant and Animal Production
  • Agricultural Economics and Policy
  • Traditional and Urban Forestry
  • Microbiology; Plant Biology
  • Zoology
  • Renewable Energy and Environmental Policy
  • Water Resources
  • Landscape Horticulture and Agritourism
Research support comes from Federal and State agencies, commodity groups, foundations, and corporate partners.

Farms and Centers

University Farms and the Research/Education Centers are truly exceptional and very diverse.
They include the following:

All of these top-tier facilities help students build the future they’ve been dreaming of in an environment with heart and bring big things within reach.

University Farms Visitor & Secure Access Policy

SIU University Farms is utilized for education, research, outreach, and boarding. Safety, biosecurity and education is our primary mission; therefore, visitors must abide by our visitor and secure access policy.

The University Farm is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No access outside of normal business hours will be allowed without accompaniment by staff, faculty, or student employees or without the University Farms Director or Center Manager’s approval.

  • All visitors must check in at the appropriate center’s office
  • Self-guided tours are not allowed
  • No photography without permission of the Center Manager/Staff

Dogs and pets are prohibited. Service dogs are allowed, but access to livestock units is restricted

All staff, students, visitors, tours and volunteers should follow the quarantine level protocols as well as re-entry intervals as posted.

Please observe the following safety measures when working on, or visiting the farm and livestock areas, and follow all posted signs.

  • Do not enter agricultural research plots or greenhouse areas without approval
  • Do not touch, pet or feed the animals without prior approval
  • Do not touch the fencing or perimeter of where the animals are kept or enter animal enclosures, they may be hot
  • Avoid startling the animals
  • Always remain with your host
  • Wear suitable footwear as the ground can be uneven and slippery
  • Wear suitable clothing appropriate for outdoors and inclement weather
  • Ensure you use the disinfected foot dips/mats when present
  • ALWAYS wash your hands thoroughly after visiting the Farm

University Farms Staff

  • Chris Vick

    Director of University Farms, Agronomy Center Manager 

  • Samantha Wuest

    Assistant Director of University Farms, Equine Center Manager 

    Samantha Wuest graduated from SIUC in May 2015 with a bachelor's degree in animal science with a specialization in equine science and a minor in agribusiness economics. She graduated with her master’s in animal science in December of 2016 from SIUC as well. Samantha worked at the University Farms her whole undergraduate and graduate career. She has been managing the equine center since the fall of 2017 and has been the assistant director of University Farms since the fall of 2020. Since then, she oversees all the animal units at University Farms. 

  • Garrett Hartke

    Service Center Manager 

    Garrett Hartke is from Teutopolis, IL. Growing up, his family farm included crops (corn-soybean-wheat), feedlot cattle, and wean to finish swine.  He Received his associate degree from Lake Land College in Ag. Production in 2019, and his bachelor’s degree from SIUC in Crop, Soil, and Environmental Management (CSEM) in 2022. 

  • Edward Hornbostel

    Edward Hornbostel started at SIU in 2019 helping to service farm equipment and has vast knowledge and experience in animal (beef and dairy) husbandry and row crops. He has worked on large farm equipment for over 15 years.

  • Erik Larsen

    Senior Agricultural Research Technician

    Erik Larson became the Manager of the Horticulture Research Center in 2013. Prior to this position, he worked at the Horticulture Research Center as a temporary worker for multiple seasons. Now, he oversees the daily operations of the facility which include maintaining the grounds, operating farm equipment to prepare and maintain research fields, and assists in installing field utilities. 

  • John Miller

    Greenhouse Manager

  • Rachel Miller

    Sustainability Center Manager 

    Rachel Miller received the position of Researcher I at the Student Sustainable Farm in December of 2022. Before entering this position, she worked as a student worker in Lentz Dining Hall and for Dr. Bradley Taylor at the School of Forestry and Horticulture. After graduating from SIU in May of 2022 with a degree in Horticulture Production and a minor in Crops, Soils, and Environmental Management, she started working at the Student Sustainable Farm as extra help and learned how the farm operated. With the help of student workers and many volunteers, the Student Sustainable Farm continues producing fruits and vegetables for the Dining Halls and Student Center Farmers Market, operates the Forced Air Compost Facility, and assists in hosting events promoting sustainable farming practices.

Research Fee Structure and Plot Requests

  • All fees collected will be deposited into the specific Center account to be used for operational expenses such as salaries of staff, buying supplies, equipment repair and maintenance, and new equipment purchases/rentals.
  • Deadline to pay Fees will be February 29th unless prior arrangements have been made.
  • Previous years fees must be paid in full before any new work requests at any center will be approved.
  • Disputed fees must be discussed with the center manager to reconcile. If fees are still not agreed upon then the Director of the University farms will mediate and make a final decision.
  • Failure or refusal to pay fees will result in the Dean of CALPS choosing a BP of the PI and transferring the funds to the proper University Farms BP.

University Farms/Kuehn

  1. Standard fee of $100 per acre includes BASIC field production activities; ARC and Farms equipment usage.
  2. Standard fee of $500 per acre will be applied if the Center or Farm staff labor will be needed, and any weed and insect management, seed, chemical, seed bed prep, planting, and harvesting is supplied that is above the normal production field activities.
  3. Equipment use from individual programs must be negotiated between PIs.
  4. Acres that are crop destruct or do not produce a harvestable/marketable crop will be charged the $100 fee IN ADDITION TO the average yield in that field for the crop being produced that growing season. This fee will be capped at $500 per acre including $100 standard fee.
  5. Acres that produce a harvestable crop but at a reduced yield will be CHARGED THE DIFFERENCE between the University Farm average yield and the actual yield.
  6. Deadline for plot requests will be March 30th. Request after deadline will be approved at the discretion of the University Farms Director.
  7. Rental equipment used by programs will be billed the hourly rate paid by the center.