Plants

The Illinois Department of Agriculture works to protect plants and crops from harmful insects and diseases. The Department also protects consumers and businesses against unfair and deceptive practices in the sale of agricultural, household, commercial lawn care, and athletic turf fertilizer, soil or plant additives and agricultural lime and to prevent certain hazards to persons, property, and the environment.

Fertilizer Progra​​​​​m:

• Manufacturers, labelers and distributors of fertilizer products are required to be licensed. Product labeling must be approved and/or permitted before being distributed into the state. The department inspects fertilizer blending facilities and collects and analyzes samples in order to ensure that the products meet their label guarantees.

  
  

Greenhouses and Nurseries:

• The nursery program inspection staff of the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Environmental Programs inspects and certifies nearly 1,200 nurseries in Illinois each year. The inspection of these plants and plant products benefit both consumers and growers by ensuring pest-free plant stock.

  
  

Insects and Pests:

• The Illinois Department of Agriculture works to control major plant pests (insects and diseases) that threaten Illinois' crops, forests and plant communities.

  
  

Medical Cannabis Pilot Program:

• The Department of Agriculture is charged with registering and regulating the 22 cultivation centers.

  
  

Mycotoxin Survey:

• This survey report shows the level of aflatoxin and fumonisin detected in corn samples and the level of vomitoxin detected in wheat samples during the harvest season.

  
  

Pesticides:

• It is recognized that pesticides are valuable and necessary to Illinois' agricultural production and to the protection of man and his environment from pests, but it is essential to our general health and welfare that they be regulated to prevent adverse effects on man and his environment.

  
  

Seeds:

• The Illinois Department of Agriculture tests seed products to ensure that they meet advertised quality and quantity specifications, examine seed samples for purity, noxious weed content, germination and suitability for distribution and analyze seed quality for individual producers for a small fee.​

  
  

Poison Hemlock Fact Sheet:

• https://go.illinois.edu/PoisonHemlock