INDUSTRY TOURS
Leave the conference center to see agriculture, business, and innovation up close! Each tour is an additional $25, and space is limited.
UIUC BEEF AND SHEEP RESEARCH FIELD LABORATORY (Outdoors)
Minimum attendance required
See how University of Illinois researchers study nutrition, genetics and herd management with about 1,000 beef cattle and 100 sheep. The lab includes equipment that tracks each animal's feed and water intake and a system that measures cattle greenhouse gas emissions.
What you'll experience: A one-hour walking tour of the barns and research facilities, mostly outdoors.
Cost: $25
Wear / bring: Winter coat, hat, and gloves. Plastic boot covers are provided.
Capacity: 30 attendees
Accessibility: Mostly outdoors. No stairs but a fair amount of walking.
EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK (Indoors)
Go behind the scenes at the foodbank that serves 18 counties in eastern Illinois through a network of pantries, shelters and meal programs. See how donated and purchased food moves from the warehouse to families who need it.
What you'll experience: A guided walk through the working warehouse, all indoors on one floor
Cost: $25
Wear / bring: Closed-toe shoes required. This is a working warehouse.
Capacity: 48 attendees
Accessibility: All indoors on one floor and wheelchair accessible.
Minimum age is 8.
UIUC FEED TECHNOLOGY CENTER (Indoors/Outdoors)
Tour the University of Illinois feed mill, opened in 2021, where researchers and students design and make diets for livestock, poultry and pets. See grinding, mixing, pelleting and extrusion in action, along with sensors that check ingredient quality in real time.
What you'll experience: A 1.5 hour guided tour of the mill, indoors and outdoors. Hard hats are provided.
Cost: $25
Wear / bring: Closed-toe shoes and a warm coat. The facility isn't heated
Capacity: 30 attendees
Accessibility: Some stairs but the route can stay on the ground level. Let us know your needs when you sign up.
If you have livestock at home, wear clothes and shoes that haven't been in a barn, pasture, or around livestock for at least 72 hours. Pack a separate outfit and shoes for this tour.
CENTER FOR ADVANCED BIOENERGY AND BIOPRODUCTS INNOVATION (CABBI)
Learn how a U.S. Department of Energy research center led by the University of Illinois is turning crops like sorghum, miscanthus and energy cane into biofuels and everyday products. The tour visits the Plant Biology Innovation Greenhouse on the University of Illinois campus.
What you'll experience: A 90-minute guided tour of the greenhouse, all indoors.
Cost: $25
Wear / bring: Closed-toe shoes
Capacity: 50 attendees
Accessibility: All indoors with no stairs.
Wear clothes and shoes that haven't been used for field work within the past 72 hours to protect the research plants.
21+ ONLY
RIGGS BEER COMPANY
Visit a fifth-generation family farm near Urbana that opened an on-farm brewery in 2015. The Riggs family grows the corn, wheat and barley that go into their beer, so you'll see the path from field to glass.
What you'll experience: A behind-the-scenes tour of the production brewery.
Cost: $25
Wear / bring: Closed-toe shoes and a warm layer. The brewery can be cold.
Capacity: 20 attendees
Accessibility: A few steps up to the brewhouse, which can be skilled. Wheelchairs and walkers welcome.
You must be 21+ and bring a valid photo ID. No children, including infants.