Rader Family Farms

Summer Horticulture Field Day
2026-06-11 08:30 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Rader Family Farms, 1312 Ropp Road, Normal, Illinois, 61761
Summer Horticulture Field Day 2026 will be taking place at Rader Family Farms in Normal, Illinois on Thursday, June 11th beginning at 8:30 am. (Please see the proposed tentative agenda for more information.) Tickets Required.
This year, we are excited to tour a newly established high density orchard at an established agritoursim destination in Central Illinois. We will tour the operation with the Rader Family and hear from Extension Specialists, and Educators about specialty crop diseases, pests, horticultural practices in apples, flowers, and pumpkins.
Hear from the Rader family about their business, as they have continued to grow and evolve their amazing agritourism destination. Specialty crop industry researchers, suppliers, and industry partners will also be on site to help inform and answer questions throughout the day. Please join us for a fun and informative on-farm learning experience, to connect with growers and experts have to say about issues facing our industry going forward this season!
TENTATIVE AGENDA:
8:00-8:30AM Arrival and Registration
8:30-9:00AM Welcome & Introduction, Coffee and Donuts provided
9-12:00PM Breakout Sessions, choose between Session A or B
Session A: Outdoor Walking Field Tour
Sunflowers, Zinnias, and Mums
Growing Trials, PGR Experiment, Weed control recommendations
Apples (Root stock selection, training and pruning, thinning, drainage tile, etc.)
History, Layout, & Installation of new high density orchard; Apple Varieties, Rootstocks and U-Pick Platform,
Hedging experiment & Summer Pruning, Pollination Experiment (Nolan Lake & Dr. Scott Clem – ISU)
Pumpkin production
Growing Methods and Varieties on 12 Acres, Field Layout & Growing on plastic, Disease & Insect Control, . Benefits to having a dedicated sprayer (Vincent Mmata)
Featured Speakers throughout specialty crop presentations:
Plant Pathology – Dr. Mohammad Babadoost, University of Illinois
Entomology – Dr. Kacie Athey, University of Illinois
Horticulture – Dr. James Santiago, University of Illinois
Session B: Retail & Commercial Kitchen Tour
Discussion: Rader Family Farm’s Orchard Event Barn – Donna Verda
Planning an Event Space, Revenue Opportunities, Operational Considerations
Visit: Rader Family Farm’s Pumpkin Barn – Amy Hughes
Creating a space for Retail, Top Sellers, Testing New Items
Tour: Rader Family Farm’s Commercial Kitchens – David Apps
Working with the Local Health Department (food permits, water testing), Highligts of Value Added &
Signature Food Items, Local Farmers Markets & Partnerships: Dough for Donuts

12:00-1:30PM Lunch & Lunchtime Presentations:
Blessing of Meal – Rader Family
ISGA Chairperson’s Updates – Jenna Spychal
ISHS President’s Comments & Regional Grower Crop Report – Austin Flamm

1:30-3:00PM Overview of Agritourism Operation and Tour – Rader Family Farms
Precision Planted Corn Maze – Jason Kieser, Our Favorite Activities and Why, School Tours and Self
Guided Tours, Discussion on things we have done well and changes to be made moving forward.

Baby Animal Days (1 of 4)
2026-06-12 17:00 - 20:00
Kick off your summer with a memorable weekend on the farm! Baby Animal Days is the perfect family-friendly outdoor event where you’ll meet our newest arrivals—including a calf, fluffy chicks, playful lambs, bunnies, goat kids, and donkeys—along with all your favorite farm animals.
Make lasting memories as you hold a goat, pet a fluffy chick, or explore our fun attractions like the Bee Line Zipper, Accele-Rader Mega Slide, critter cart, double-barrel slide, skee ball. Select food venues will be open, plus our coffee shop and retail market for treats and treasures.
We accept Apple Pay, Venmo, credit, and debit cards—come ready for fun!
https://rff.ticketspice.com/baby-animal-days-2026

Baby Animal Days (2 of 4)
2026-06-13 10:00 - 14:00
What’s available on at the farm?

Baby goats
Baby calf, kittens, bunnies
Hands-on baby chick experience
Critter Cart rides for our little farmers
Accele-Rader Mega Slide, Bee-Line Zipper, Double Barrell Slide -n- more!
Hands-on activities and crafts

It’s not our fall season so there will be limited farm activities and food/drink options.
https://rff.ticketspice.com/baby-animal-days-2026

Route 66 Centennial ​Fall Kick-Off Celebration and Drone Show
2026-09-04 10:00 - 21:00
Get Your Kicks on Route 66 at Rader Family Farms
Kick-Off ​Event Highlights Include:
12-Acre Route-66 themed corn maze – 10 AM – 6 PM (Last entrance is at 5 PM)- ADMISSION REQUIRED
50+ activities combining historical elements, interactive learning, and family-friendly fun – 10 AM – 6 PM – ADMISSION REQUIRED
Route 66–themed diner-style eats plus farm-fresh favorites – $
Cruise-In Classic Cars & Donuts featuring classic and vintage vehicles – 4 PM – 7 PM – (FREE) Sponsored by Maxlider, Rivian and Limelite Graphics.
Live music by Route 66 Band, Cousins, Pizza Payaa, Patty Daddy’s and Brew 66 food trucks and themed photo opportunities – $
​An amazing evening drone show featuring synchronized lights in the sky with iconic Route 66 imagery – AFTER DARK – $
This special day sets the stage for a season filled with storytelling​ and celebration—bringing the legacy of Route 66 to life across the farm.
Presented by VisitBN
Rader Family Farms proudly partners with VisitBN as the Presenting Sponsor of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration. Visit BN plays a vital role in welcoming travelers from near and far, helping share the story of Route 66 and positioning Bloomington-Normal as a must-stop destination along the Mother Road during this historic centennial year.
Centennial Fall Kick-Off Celebration & Drone Show Partner: Rivian
The September 4 Centennial Fall Kick-Off Celebration and Evening Drone Show sponsored by Rivian, whose spirit of innovation and forward-thinking transportation reflects the evolution of the American road trip​ – from the early days of Route 66 to the future of travel. Rivian’s partnership helps bring this unforgettable night of technology, storytelling, and celebration to the skies above the farm.

SCARCE Pumpkin Smash - RECYCLE PUMPKINS!
2026-11-01 13:00 - 16:00
Smash ’em – Don’t Trash ’em! We are hosting a pumpkin smashing event to sustainably recycle pumpkins. Sunday, Nov. 1st.
Fall is the pumpkin’s time to shine, but what happens when it is time to say goodbye to the short-lived Jack-o-lanterns? Green your Halloween by recycling pumpkins into compost at a free, outdoor Pumpkin Smash offered around Illinois in early November.
Be part of the solution. Everyone can help fight climate change
Pumpkins are an organic waste that produces the potent greenhouse gas methane as they decompose without oxygen in landfills. These decaying pumpkins also leach water that filters through the trash piles and pollutes nearby waterways.
This project is done in collaboration with SCARCE, an Illinois environmental non-profit that started Pumpkin Smashes in 2014. Since their start, the efforts have composted over 1,250 tons of pumpkins, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by over 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide, and diverted over 300,000 gallons of water from landfills.
Mark your calendars! It’s going to be a smashing success!!
