At this program, we provide an update on the current Ag issues in the area, in an informal setting. The atmosphere at these programs allows plenty of time for discussion on the topics that you are most interested in learning about, as those in attendance get to pick which topics to address.

This years Ag Updates will focus upon the following topics: Wheat management; corn and soybean nematodes; Corn rootworm; Waterhemp resistance; Fungicide use in corn and soybean; plus others.

There is no cost to attend, and CCA credits will be offered.

The times are all from 10am-noon, and the locations are as follows:

Dec. 20, Lima Community Building, (contact Fuller Fertilizer for details)

Dec. 21, Railroad Park Eatery, Camp Point

Dec. 27, Hull Lions Club, (contact Hull Fertilizer for details)

Dec. 28, Adams/Brown Extension, Mt. Sterling

Jan.3, Mendon North Side

A workshop to help you understand the concepts of estate planning will be conducted on Monday, January 7^th, from 1pm to 3pm at the Adams County Farm Bureau basement. Jim Endress, U of I Farm Management Educator will present information for tax planning purposes. The workshop is offered to any and all who are interested, not just farmers, as many of the concepts that will be discussed apply to many. Cost of the workshop will be $10 per person or couple. Contact the U of I Adams/Brown Unit to register or visit our web site. Jim will repeat the program that evening in Pittsfield, from 6:30-8:30 pm, at JWCC Education Center. Contact the Pike Extension unit at 285-5543.

Jan. 8^th, from 10am- 2:30pm, at the Adams County Farm Bureau basement. Dr. Mike Hutjens, Dave Fisher, Jim Endress and Dick Wallace will all be present to discuss topics of interest to all dairymen. Cost of the program is $10 per farm. Contact our office to register or visit our web site.

If you have an interest in forming a community supported ag (CSA) venture, you'll want to attend the workshop scheduled for Jan. 8^th, at the U of I McDonough county office. The program runs from 9am-2pm, and the cost is $15, which includes handouts, refreshments and lunch. CSA participants pay growers a fee at the beginning of the season, which ensures income for the producer. In return, the producer provides fresh produce throughout the season. Contact their office at 309-837-3939.

This statewide event brings fruit, vegetable, herb, and agri tourism interests together for a detailed educational conference and trade show. The Jan. 9^th workshops focus on high tunnels/greenhouses or grape growing. The next two days feature breakout sessions throughout the day on the above tracks, plus a large trade show. On the 12^th, "local foods" will be the feature. For more information, contact Diane Handley at 309-557-2107.

Jan. 15, at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. Beginning at 9am and continuing to 3:30pm. U of I specialists will present the following topics: Corn and soybean basis; Strip tillage; Corn and soybean returns; Foliar fungicides for corn; Corn rootworm management; Nematode results; Corn following corn; Soybean aphids; Waterhemp concerns. Cost for the program is $45 until Dec. 22, then $60 after. CCA credit will be offered. www.ipm.uiuc.edu/conferences/csc/registration.html

Jan. 17-18, at the Illini Union in Champaign. Breakout sessions throughout the both days on the following tracks: Crop production; Fruits and vegetables; Livestock; Certification; and Marketing. There will be speakers from throughout the Midwest, both producers and University. Registration is $95 if before Jan. 7^th, and $145 after. http://orgconf.sustainability.uiuc.edu/

This years conference will be held at the Quincy City Center (formerly the Holiday Inn on 3^rd St.), on Tuesday, Jan. 29^th, beginning at 9:30am, and concluding at 2:30pm. Breakout sessions include: Managing continuous corn; Cover crops; Weed resistance management; Year in review; Marketing; Technology in Ag; Fungicides in corn and soybean. The general session topic will be: The 7 wonders of the corn world. Speakers from IL and MO Extension will be featured. CCA credits have been applied for. Cost is $12 per person, and included lunch and refreshments. Contact the Adams county SWCD to register. 217-224-9305.

Monday evening, Feb. 4^th, at the Timewell School basement, from 6-9pm, we'll have a program for beef producers. Topics to be discussed will include: Stretching short hay supplies; Economic feeding/rations; Grass and legume losses due to summer stresses; Utilizing summer annuals more effectively. Presenters will include Dean Oswald, U of I Extension, Monte Rowland, Ursa Farmers Coop and Scott Jones, Midwest Grass and Forage.

Beginning Wed. Feb. 6 (6-9pm) and Thursday Feb. 7 (9am-noon) and continuing each week for the next 5 weeks, this program is targeted towards farm women, to help them understand the complexities of all aspects of farm management. Topics include: managing money, setting up farm leases, basic grain marketing, insurance products, and putting together a business plan which includes financial documents like balance sheets, income statements and cash flows, using spreadsheets and internet websites for making decisions. The cost is $50 per person and classes will be held at Unity High School. To register, contact our office. The day session will be a repeat of the preceding evening session to enable more to attend.

Wondering what to do with that 5 or 10 acres? This may be the opportunity to learn about all kinds of interesting, economically beneficial opportunities for you and your family. This program will offer ideas for both existing producers and those looking for potential opportunities. Breakout sessions will include: Timber, nuts and shiitake mushrooms; Culinary herbs; Dairy goats and haired sheep; Hoophouses; Beekeeping; Personal values; Poultry; Legal issues and Marketing. The program will be offered on Thursday evening, Feb. 7^th, from 5-9pm, at the Adams County Farm Bureau basement. Cost is $30 per person, which includes dinner. Contact our office for registration or go to our website.

The program will be held on Monday, February 11, 2008 from 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. at the McDonough County Extension unit. You will learn about the general attributes of various alternative crops for thebirdseed,forage, feed, fiber, nutraceutical, industrial oilseed, and cosmetic industries. Crops to be discussed include: canola, miscanthus, triticale, milkweed, brasicas and other crops for biofuel. Contact 309-837-3939 for more info.

University of Illinois crop specialists will present current topics of interest to producers and agri businesses on Feb. 12-13, at the Rt. 66 Hotel & Conference Center in Springfield. Participants will be able to attend three general sessions of broad interest including bioenergy opportunities, new water quality nutrient standards, and maximizing soybean yields. Breakout session topics include: foliar fungicides for corn and soybean, fertilizer economics, GPS technology, weed resistance, on-farm research design, insect and disease pests, and crop budgets, crop insurance, and risk management. Up to 13 hours of CCA credit will be available. Advance registration, no later than one week prior to each conference, is $100 per person. Late and at-door registration is $125. The fee includes lunch, refreshments, and handouts for both days. Contact: Robert Bellm 618-692-9434.

Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the Adams County Farm Bureau basement, we'll provide opportunities for area fruit and vegetable growers to hear about topics of interest. Dr. Rick Weinzierl, Extension entomologist and Dr. Elizabeth Wahle, Extension specialist, will be amongst the featured speakers. We're still working on the final program, but will feature fruit in the morning and vegetables in the afternoon. Industry reps will also be on hand. Contact our office for more info.

Sustaining Illinois Soils will be discussed Thursday, Feb. 21^st, at the Camp Point United Methodist Church, from 9am-2pm. Topics covered during the workshop will include Illinois Soils and basic soil survey techniques; soil carbon and climate change; using dredged Illinois River sediment to enhance poor soils; phosphorus cycling in soils; and soil microbial processes.

Pre-registration by February 14 is required. Registration costs are $30 per person, which includes lunch. 4 hours of CCA credit in Soil and Water and 1 hour in Nutrient Management will be offered. To register, contact our office or visit the web site.

The annual school will be held Wed. Feb. 27, at the Camp Point United Methodist Church. U of I Specialists and Educators will be providing the information. Topics will include: IL SCN Type test; Control of resistant waterhemp; Intensive wheat management; Corn, Soybean and Wheat leaf diseases; Fungicide use in corn and soybean; Troubleshooting. The program will begin at 9am and conclude at 2pm. Cost will be $30 per person, which includes lunch. CCA hours will be offered. Contact our office or visit our web site for registration.

Friday, Feb. 29, an Alfalfa workshop will be offered at our office, via distance learning, from 9:30am-noon. CCA hours will be offered. Topics include: Speeding hay dry down; Roundup ready alfalfa; Alfalfa hardiness; Nitrogen credit from legumes; Managing alfalfa diseases. CCA hours will be provided. Cost is $5 per person. Contact our office or visit our web site.

Tuesday, March 4, at the Adams County Farm Bureau basement, beginning with a noon lunch, we'll have our annual program targeted towards women in agriculture. Ruth Hambleton, U of I Educator, will discuss the following topics: Crop budgets and margins; Building and strengthening relationships between landowners and operators; land transfer. There is no cost to attend, but please call the office so that lunch can be ordered.

The last session offered in our area for you to attain your Private Pesticide license will be March 6, at 2pm, in the Adams County Farm Bureau basement. Contact our office or visit our web site to register. This will be a testing only session (no training) for private applicators.