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WKAN Farm Calendar

FREE USDA REPORTS

USDA, in cooperation with the Ag Library at Cornell, offers free subscriptions to over 100 reports from various statistical agencies within the Department. Most reports contain statistics for individual states as well as regional and U.S. totals. The reports arrive in your emailbox within minutes after release time. Auction reports are also available from all across the nation, all at no charge.

The USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) also invites you to provide your feedback as a current subscriber to the agency’s data reports. If you are interested, we will occasionally ask for your comments about the agency’s data products and services. To join, sign in at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/subscriptions and look for “NASS Data User Community.” You may unsubscribe at any time.

The second new offering is for the “Census of Agriculture.”  This subscription will alert you to products and services generated by all NASS census programs. These census data offer more detail than is available in other NASS reports issued annually. This new subscription is available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/subscriptions under the letter “C” for Census.

• February

  • Illinois Weed Resistance Preparedness Training

    BLOOMINGTON, ILL - January 27, 2012 - The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) along with industry partners, Monsanto, Dow AgroSciences and BASF, will host three Illinois Weed Resistance Preparedness Training meetings next month.

    ISA and its partners want to help soybean farmers around the state prepare, defend and defeat the growing threat posed by weed resistance.

    "Weeds are one of the challenges Illinois soybean farmers face every season.

    Now, weed resistance is making management even more of a challenge.  We are pleased that our industry partners recognize the importance of providing the best information available to help the state's farmers enhance weed management strategies," says Dean Campbell, soybean farmer from Coulterville, Ill., and ISA board member.

    "Herbicide-resistant weeds impact essentially every soybean farmer in Illinois," says Bryan Young, Southern Illinois University Carbondale professor of weed science/agronomy.  "Managing weeds -- such as waterhemp that has resistance to as many as four herbicide modes of action including glyphosate -- has proven to be our greatest challenge yet.  We have seen widespread weed control failure and lost grower profits.  The time is now to gain a better perspective on how we may improve control of herbicide-resistant weeds with comprehensive management plans, and stop reacting to weeds after we have already failed."

    The Weed Resistance Preparedness Training meetings will feature university researchers discussing weed resistance history and management techniques specific to Illinois.  Other agenda items include a panel of farmers who will share their first-hand experience with resistant weeds, and an industry tech panel who will focus on the latest tools and technologies to help growers build their own strategic defense plan.

    Meetings will be held Feb. 21 at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon, Feb. 22 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington, and Feb. 28 at the Clock Tower Resort in Rockford.  All attendees must pre-register, as space is limited.  For more information on the meetings and to register, please visit www.weedmgmt.ilsoy.org or call 309-808-3603.

     

  • IIRA 23rd Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference March 7-8

    MACOMB, IL -- Practical solutions designed to address issues and offer strategies related to rural economic development are on the agenda for the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs' 23rd Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference in March. The theme for this year's conference is, "Past Accomplishments; New Expectations," and it is scheduled to be held Wednesday, March 7 and Thursday, March 8 at the Four Points by Sheraton in Peoria (IL). The IIRA, which is housed at Western Illinois University, event includes a lineup of speakers from across the country who will share their expertise in rural economic development.

    According to the IIRA, the conference will open with a 7 p.m. welcome reception Tuesday, March 6, providing attendees the opportunity to network and socialize. The March 7 opening session will feature a presentation by Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council. Simon will discuss her goals and visions for rural development in the upcoming months. In addition, the opening session will feature David Oppedahl of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, who will discuss the role of rural economies and agriculture in the Midwest.

    Other speakers at the 23rd Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference who will address issues currently confronting rural areas include: David Terrell from the Office of the Lt. Governor of Indiana, who will discuss the Indiana Stellar Communities Program; and Mike Jackson, from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, who will outline the economic benefits of restoring buildings listed on the register, which provides grant opportunities and tax breaks, as well as encourages the use of existing space in downtown areas rather than building new structures.

    Other sessions include strategies for promoting local resources, connecting hospitals to broadband Internet services and new approaches to financing businesses.

    According to the IIRA, the 23rd Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference will provide numerous opportunities to learn about efforts in promoting prosperity and economic development. Attendees will have important networking opportunities to meet colleagues from across the state, as well as meet representatives from state and federal agencies serving rural communities.

    To receive the early-bird conference rate, register by Sunday, Feb. 19 online at www.regonline.com/IIRAconference2012 . To learn more about the 23rd Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference, visit www.IIRA.org or contact Karen Poncin at the IIRA at (800) 526-9943.

     

  • Inaugural Illinois Soybean Summit Focuses on Increasing Yields, Profitability

    BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – January 20, 2012 –The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is hosting the first-ever Illinois Soybean Summit, "Reaching Beyond Yield Obstacles," at Illinois State University's Bone Student Center on March 9, 2012. This conference – funded in part by the Illinois soybean checkoff – will encourage participants in the soybean production industry to examine and explore various soybean management techniques that can lead to higher yields and greater profitability.

    The event kicks off at 7:30 a.m., when soybean growers from across the state will gather with representatives from nearly every major crop input supplier and manufacturer. The agenda is packed with valuable learning and networking opportunities, as well as an on-site trade show. The keynote speakers include:

    • John Baize, president of John C. Baize & Associates, an international agricultural trade and policy consulting firm specializing in the oilseeds sector;
    • Kip Cullers, three-time soybean-yield world champion; and
    • John McGillicuddy, Ph.D., a 30-year veteran agronomist currently with MC Agronomics.

    Plus, six breakout sessions – covering soybean management topics such as variety, soil management and plant nutrition – will be offered in the afternoon, along with a farmer panel on ways to overcome obstacles to higher yields. All attendees are eligible to win door prizes at the event, including the grand prize drawing of a 27" LCD TV!

    "We're excited to give soybean growers, agronomists and agribusinesses a venue for discussing ways to improve cropping strategies and overall profitability," says Ross Prough, soybean farmer from Greenfield, Ill., and ISA director. "It's our hope that the Summit will evolve into one of the Midwest's premier events on soybean production!"

    The Illinois Soybean Summit is free to Illinois growers and includes parking within the main Bone Student Center lot. However, attendees are responsible for their own hotel reservations; blocks of rooms have been reserved at group rates at the Hampton Inn and The Chateau in Normal, Ill. Registration is limited to the first 350 growers, agronomists, farm managers and crop consultants who sign up by the February 23 deadline. A complete agenda, the registration form and additional details are available online at www.soyyieldchallenge.com/summit.

    Several companies are helping support the Summit through a variety of sponsorships. These organizations include media sponsor Prairie Farmer; speaker sponsor Pioneer and meal sponsors BASF, Monsanto, FHR Farms and Stoller USA. Additional information about sponsorship opportunities and exhibiting at the trade show may be obtained by calling Jim Nelson at (309) 825-7542 or emailing yieldchallenge@ilsoy.org.

     

  • ISA Seeks Soybean Farmers Interested in At-Large Director Positions

    BLOOMINGTON, ILL -- January 17, 2012 -- The Illinois Soybean Association

    (ISA) is making notice that applications are available for farmers interested in becoming candidates for at-large director positions representing the Illinois Soybean Program Operating Board (ISPOB) and ISA.

    Two of the six at-large director terms will expire on July 31, 2012.

    Interested farmers must notify the ISA/ISPOB Board of Directors of their desire to become a candidate by sending a letter of interest via certified mail with return receipt requested to ISA/ISPOB at 1605 Commerce Parkway, Bloomington, IL 61704.  The letter must be deposited in the U.S. mail with postage fully prepaid and postmarked no later than February 23, 2012. 

    An application form will be mailed to all interested individuals upon receipt of a letter of interest.  Completed applications must be returned to the same address above, and be postmarked no later than February 27, 2012. 

    Individuals will be nominated by a majority of the ISPOB and ISA Board of Directors sitting in a quorum on March 6-7, 2012.  Two of the nominated individuals will be elected by a majority of soybean farmers in attendance at the annual meeting on July 31, 2012, to be held in Springfield, Ill.  No write-in provision exists for at-large director elections.

    To be eligible to become a candidate, each person must be an affected soybean farmer residing in Illinois and of legal voting age.  More information can be obtained by calling 888-826-4011.  ISA will provide more details and seek candidates for open ISA district elections at a later date.

     

  • Jr. High Leadership Conference Scheduled

          Find the Clue to the Leader in You at the 2012 Illinois 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference, scheduled for February 25-26 at the Holiday Inn in Urbana. 4-H members in 7^th and 8^th grade are invited to explore new leadership opportunities at this weekend event. 4-H members may also invite a friend who is not in 4-H to join them.

          Youth will learn about opportunities available to youth leaders in Illinois, explore various 4-H projects in depth and with hands-on activities they can take back to their local clubs, participate in active games and mixers, and interact with 4-H members from across the state. The weekend will challenge junior high minds to expand their horizons and become more involved in their clubs and communities.

          Registration and more information is available on-line at: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/default.cfm?RegistrationID=6071. Cost for the weekend conference is $125.00. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for 4-H members who attend. Online registration must be completed by January 30.

          The Illinois 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference is sponsored by the Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team of the University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development program. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. For more information regarding this event or the University of Illinois Extension 4-H program, contact Livingston County Extension Office at 815-842-1776 the McLean County Extension Office at 309-663-8306 or the Woodford County Extension Office at 309-467-3789.

     

  • Kankakee Vegetable School

                Every year the Kankakee Vegetable School brings you updates on various production issues that impact your vegetable crops, and the appropriate technologies to help you succeed. The 2012 Kankakee County Vegetable Growers School will be held at University of Illinois, Kankakee County, 1650 Commerce Drive, Bourbonnais on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Producers will get the latest specialty crop information updates from University of Illinois Educators on the following topics:

    • Vegetable Insect Pest Management Updates by Richard Weinzierl
    • Disease Management Updates by Mohammad Babadoost
    • Cover Crops Updates by Maurice Ogutu
    • Cover Crops for Weed Management in Vegetable Production by Dan Anderson
    • Sweet Corn Variety Performance by Liz Maynard
    • Early Crops with Low Tunnels and Rowcovers by Liz Maynard
    • Farmyard Manure Management for Soil Fertility by Ellen Phillips
    • Specialty Commodity Marketing by Local Producers

    A pre-registration fee of $20, which includes lunch and handout materials, is required by February 6, 2012. The updated Midwest Vegetable Production Guide will be available at an additional cost. Please call University of Illinois Extension, Kankakee County at 815-933-8337 for more information or check our website: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/gkw.

     

  • Ethical Wills: Legacy Letters to Your Family

    Ethical Wills: Legacy Letters to Your Family

    Presented by Beth LaMie, Author and Personal Historian

    How do you want to be remembered? What would you like to tell your descendents about what has been important to you? What do you wish you had from loved ones who are gone?

    An ethical will or legacy letter is neither a legal nor a financial document, but an important part of your estate planning. Sharing your values in this way creates a priceless memento of you, to share now or later. An ethical will is one way to find peace of mind by leaving a piece of your mind for your loved ones.

    Ethical Wills: Legacy Letters to Your Family guides you to write your own ethical will. Following a step-by-step approach, these documents may contain your personal values, life lessons and achievements, advice for the next generations, and hopes for the future.

    During this 4-week workshop, we will use writing exercises and memory prompts to help you select what has been important in your life and preserve it for the future. By the end of this workshop, you will have an ethical will or legacy letter written on archival paper that will endure for generations.

    This workshop series will be presented on Mondays, February 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2012 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at University of Illinois Extension, Kankakee County, 1650 Commerce Drive, Bourbonnais. Pre-registration fee of $10 per person for the series is required by

    January 30. Class size is limited. Please call University of Illinois, Kankakee County at

    815-933-8337 to reserve your seat or for more information.

     

  • FIT WITS, Fostering Improved Thinking While Incorporating Training Strategies

    Keeping your wits fit requires more than just doing crossword puzzles or word searches.  There is increasing evidence that brain health is directly related to body health. This should come as no surprise since the brain and body function interdependently. However, most people think more about keeping their bodies fit or their hearts healthy than working at maintaining a healthy brain. By attending the FIT WITS program, you can learn more about the aging brain and what you can do to keep your brain healthy and engaged.

    University of Illinois Extension, Kankakee County, is sponsoring FIT WITS on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 1650 Commerce Drive in Bourbonnais, IL. The fee for this program is $3. Register early for this opportunity; space is limited. Please call 815/933-8337 to register by February 1, 2012.

                University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the Unit Office at least two weeks prior to the event. University of Illinois Extension offers practical, research-based programs that help people improve their lives and address critical community issues involving youth, families, economics, health and natural resources.

     

  • Small Farms - Local Foods Webinars

    A series of webinars on a variety of topics that relate to small farms and local foods will be held at University of Illinois Extension, Kankakee County office on Thursdays beginning January 26, 2012 and running through March 22, 2012.

    Topics include:

    • Thursday, January 26 - Pastured Poultry

    Extension educator Kyle Cecil and Extension Poultry specialist Ken Koelkebeck will provide information for small farm producers that will help identify characteristics, opportunities and challenges of pasture-based poultry production.

    • Thursday, February 2 - GAPS Training

    Extension horticulture educator Peter Chege will share recommendations for good agricultural practices to improve the quality and safety of agricultural products that can be used in any production system and focus on the primary components of food production and processing. 

    • Thursday, February 9 - Soil Fertility

    Extension educator Matthew Montgomery will discuss the basics of soil fertility.  What nutrients are needed, what role do they serve, which present potential environmental problems, and which tend to become deficient? Can you conduct a soil test on your own? What organic amendments tend to be the best source of essential nutrients?  These and other topics will be covered during a general overview of soil science.

    • Thursday, February 16 - Raising Sheep and Goats

    Extension educator Dr. James Theuri will provide information on the many reasons for raising either sheep or goats, whether the motivation is economic, environmental concerns, and/or quality of life. Consideration of raising these livestock will be discussed with special attention paid to issues affecting production including nutrition, health, pasture management, predator control, housing, and marketing. On small acreage, sheep and goats are particularly well-suited and easy to manage.

    • Thursday, February 23 - Methods for Extending the Growing Season

    Extension educator Michael Roegge will discuss a variety of methods growers can utilize to extend the lengths of the growing season, to take advantage of an earlier market and/or a late market for their produce. The ability to market produce earlier or later than your competition has economic advantages. Learn about season extensions, in a variety of designs, from simple to complex.

    • Thursday, March 1 - Are you Farm to School Ready??

    Extension educator Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant will answer the Frequently Asked Questions for Illinois farmers who have not set up a direct-to-consumer farm business. This session will take participants through the “Checklist for Starting Direct Farm Sales” discussing issues such as, general business considerations, liability, taxes, labor and employment, food safety, land use and zoning as well as the Farm-to-School Readiness Checklist.

    • Thursday, March 8 - Managing Your Woodland for Profitability and Sustainability Extension educator David Shiley will discuss woodland planning and management. Just like any production enterprise on your farm, it is necessary to maximize growth and profitability. Are you actively managing the wooded acreage on your property?  If not, learn how to get started. If you already have a forest management plan, techniques and practices will be presented that could be incorporated into your plan to increase profitability.
    • Thursday, March 15 - Common Garden Pests

    Professor and Extension Entomologist Dr. Richard Weinzierl will cover the most common insect pests that damage vegetable crops.  We’ll cover identification, life cycles, monitoring methods, and control for common pests such as cabbage worms, flea beetles, cucumber beetles, corn earworm, squash bug, cutworms, Colorado potato beetle, aphids, and more.

    • Thursday, March 22 - Companion Planting

    Extension educator Dr. Maurice Ogutu will discuss companion planting, and the establishment of two or more planting species in close proximity. The plant species can benefit each other by factors that increase crop productivity such as pest control, pollination, and soil fertility.

    The webinars will begin at 1 p.m. at University of Illinois Extension, Kankakee County, 1650 Commerce Drive, Bourbonnais. There is a $3 fee and pre-registration along with pre-payment is required one week prior to reserve a seat and packet of information. Please register on our website: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/gkw.  For more information contact University of Illinois Extension, Kankakee County at 815/933-8337.

     

  • Don't Worry, Be Savvy: Farm Savvy Risk Management

    A webinar series addressing risk management will be held on January 30 and February 6, 2012. Co-sponsored by the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation and the University of Illinois Extension, this series of webinars will provide a comprehensive look at methods of evaluating, managing, and reducing risk on small farms. They will help farmers to ensure their success by identifying, assessing, and addressing the risks that threaten their farms. Workshops will be offered in the spring to follow up on the materials presented in the webinar series and to address farmers' specific issues related to compiling a comprehensive risk management plan.

    You can attend one or both of the sessions listed below.

    • January 30 - "Risk Management in Production and Marketing"

    Learn about how to manage risk using production and marketing practices.

    • February 6 - "Financial Risk Management"

    Learn about business and financial risk management practices, such as choosing the correct business entity and effective business planning.

    These webinars are free and will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at University of Illinois Extension, Will County, 100 Manhattan Road, Joliet, IL 60433. Please call Will County Extension Office at 815-727-9296 for more information or check our website at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/gkw.

                University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the Unit Office at least two weeks prior to the event.  University of Illinois Extension offers practical, research-based programs that help people improve their lives and address critical community issues involving youth, families, economics, health and natural resources.

     

  • Annual Have a Heart Dinner/Silent Auction

    The 3rd Annual Have a Heart Dinner/Silent Auction for Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see will be held on February 10, 2012 at DiNolf’s, 9425 W. 191^st, Mokena, IL. Cocktails will be available at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. Outstanding silent auction items will be on display for your bidding pleasure. The auction ends at 9:00 p.m. and the dance will begin! Dinner tickets are $50 each. Sponsorships are also available. Be a Partner for $500 and receive a full page program ad, signage at the entrance and 8 dinner tickets; be a Sponsor for $250 and receive half page program ad and 4 dinner tickets; or be a Friend for $100 and receive a ¼ page program ad.  Silent auction donations would also be appreciated. 

    Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see, located near Manteno, was established as a summer youth camp in 1946. It has provided quality residential summer youth camping programs, as well as, a great rental facility available for schools, church groups, reunions and other groups all these years. The creek, the pool, the night hikes, the zip-line, the forever camp friends are all part of this special place.

    This fundraiser is to help continue those outdoor experiences and camping opportunities for generations to come. Get your old 4-H Club, cabin mates, your church or business group that did picnics and team building events, and your friends together for an evening to support Camp. Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see is a 501 (c) 3 organization and donations are tax deductible. More information and tickets are available by calling Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see at (815) 933-3011.

    University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the County Office at least two weeks prior to the event.  University of Illinois Extension offers practical, research-based programs that help people improve their lives and address critical community issues involving youth, families, economics, health and natural resources.

     

  • FARM CREDIT OFFERING $1,000 COLLEGE AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIPS

    Each year more than $20,000 of scholarship funds is awarded to college-bound high school seniors who are pursuing agriculture-related curriculum and careers. In 2012, Farm Credit Services of Illinois plans to present twenty-five $1,000 Agriculture Scholarships to current high school seniors.

    Twenty of the 2011 Farm Credit Agriculture Scholarship recipients participate in the Scholarship Recognition Luncheon at Farm Credit’s corporate office in Mahomet.

    “Farm Credit is proud to invest in young people who have a passion for agriculture. We need some of the brightest of today’s youth to become tomorrow’s agricultural leaders,” says Dave Owens, Farm Credit Services of Illinois President & C.E.O. “The Agriculture Scholarship program promotes the positive opportunities of exploring careers in the agriculture industry – including production agriculture.” Scholarship selections are based on a combination of academic achievement, participation and leadership in school and community organizations, and the applicant’s commitment level to an agricultural career.

    To be eligible, scholarship applicants must be high school seniors who plan to enroll in a college or university during the fall 2012 semester and who will be pursuing an agriculture-related academic major or career. Applicants must reside in one of the sixty southern counties in Illinois served by Farm Credit Services of Illinois. The scholarship application deadline is March 2, 2012.

    Applications for the Agriculture Scholarships are available online at http://www.fcsillinois.com/scholarships2012_announced.html.  Questions can be sent to info@fcsillinois.com.

    This is the ninth year of the Farm Credit Agriculture Scholarship program. More than $135,000 of college scholarships has been awarded by Farm Credit to 161 different Agriculture Scholars since 2004.

    Farm Credit Services of Illinois is a farmer owned and directed agricultural lending cooperative with $2.6 billion of assets. They provide competitive farm financing and deliver crop insurance expertise to over 8,000 farm families, agribusinesses, and rural landowners in the southern 60 counties of Illinois. The mission of the U.S. Farm Credit System is to provide financial capital and financial services to agriculture and Rural America.

     

  • Soil and Water Management Seminar

    URBANA – Learn more about soil, water and air interactions at the Soil and Water Management Seminar sponsored by University of Illinois Extension at various Extension offices from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 16, 2012.

    “Those attending will learn about the National Atmospheric Deposition Program, biochar, diseases of corn and residue management, tile biofilters and irrigation scheduling,” said Duane Friend, U of I Extension environmental stewardship educator.

    Certified Crop Advisors will receive 4.5 continuing education units in soil and water management.

    A $45 registration fee is due by Feb. 9. This fee includes lunch. Indicate dietary or disability accommodations during registration.

    To register, contact the respective Extension office. Location contacts include Arthur at 217-543-3755, Decatur at 217-877-6042, Edwardsville at 618-650-7050, Galesburg at 309-342-5102, Havana at 309-543-3308, Hillsboro at 217-532-3941, Henry at 309-364-2356, Jacksonville at 217-243-7424, Macomb at 309-837-3939, Murphysboro at 618-687-1727, Ottawa at 815-433-0707, Princeton at 815-875-2878, Quincy at 217-223-8380, Rock Island at 309-756-9978, and Springfield at 217-782-4617.

    For more information, contact Duane Friend at friend@illinois.edu.

     

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