URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) — A historic field that helped transform American agriculture is celebrating a major milestone at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The Morrow Plots, established in 1876 near the university’s south quad, mark 150 years in 2026 as the nation’s oldest continuously operating agricultural research field and the second oldest in the world. For generations, the plots have provided long-term data that shifted farming from tradition-based practices to science-driven decision-making.

Leaders in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences say the plots exemplify the university’s land-grant mission.

“The Morrow Plots are a huge part of our story in the College of ACES,” said Dean German Bollero. “They’re a direct example of how we provide evidence-based recommendations that serve the public.”

Early experiments at the site demonstrated that crop rotation and careful fertilizer use significantly improve crop yields, soil health, and long-term farm profitability. Those findings reached farmers statewide after the establishment of University of Illinois Extension in 1914, expanding the impact well beyond campus.

In 1976, during its centennial year, the Morrow Plots were designated a National Historic Landmark, recognizing their global importance in agricultural research. In 2023, 150 years of detailed field data — including crop rotations, planting density, fertilizer use, and yields — were digitized and made publicly accessible.

The sesquicentennial celebration in 2026 includes a revitalized exterior supported by Bayer Crop Science, installation of a public webcam for year-round viewing, and a public tour and symposium scheduled for Oct. 28.

The October event will also unveil the Alma Mater Plots, an 80-acre research site in the university’s south farms designed to expand on the Morrow legacy.