Are you destined to be outstanding in your field? Do you have visions of being a vintner? Or dreams of selling your plentiful produce? Winter meetings are your chance to explore and learn from growers and gurus.

Here is a list of many of the programs available. Keep in mind some programs are designed for commercial audiences and for those considering the farm life. Not all programs are available to walk-in participants, so phone ahead or pre-register. Unless designated otherwise, all programs have a registration fee.

• January 3, 2008: Illiana Vegetable Growers School, Schererville, IN, for information contact Maurice Ogutu, Countryside Extension Center, ogutu@uiuc.edu PH: 708-352-0109.
• January 9-11, 2008: Illinois Specialty Crops and Agritourism Conference, Crowne Plaza, Springfield, IL. Excellent opportunity to speak with educators and growers, and to check out markets. Programs cover a wide variety of crops including apples, peaches, grapes, pawpaws, vegetables, and culinary and medicinal herbs with a special session on extending the seasons. http://www.specialtygrowers.org/confagenda.htm PH: 309-557-2107.
• January 12, 2008: Stay an additional day at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield for the Seminar "Buy Local-Eat Healthy", 9:00 am-3:00 pm. Programs include how to prepare exciting dishes using fresh produce, how to store and handle fresh produce, what does organic label really mean, and how to use herbs and spices in preparing fresh foods. http://www.specialtygrowers.org PH: 309-557-2107.
• January 16-18, 2008: MidAm Trade Show and Workshops McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. If you have any interest in ornamental horticulture, this is the place to be for educational programs and to check out all the latest gizmos and gadgets. See what's hot and what's new in landscaping, flowers, turf, and trees. www.midam.org PH: 800-223-8761.
• January 26: "A Winter Day in the Garden" conference, Zwermann Theatre, Lincoln Trail College, Robinson, IL. 9a.m. to 3 p.m. Keynote speaker Jon Carloftis – "Making the Most of Where Ever You Are". Additional topics include "Spring in Bloom" and "The Art of Bulbs and Branches". $35. Sponsored by the Crawford County Master Gardeners and LTC. web.extension.uiuc.edu/crawford/ PH: 618-546-1549.
• January 29 at 1:00 p.m and repeated January 31 at 7:00 p.m. presented via UI Extension Telenet "Healthy Soil = Healthy Plants" No fee. PH: 217-333-7672. Also check with your local county UI Extension office for availability. http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state/
• January 17-18, 2008: Midwest Organic Production, Marketing Conference & Trade Show, Illini Union, Urbana, IL, http://orgconf.sustainability.uiuc.edu PH: 217-333-1588.
• January 19, 2008: Herb Day, Champaign-Urbana, IL. PH: 217-333-1969.
• February 12, 2008:at 1:00 p.m. and repeated February 14 at 7:00 p.m. presented via UI Extension Telenet "Carnivorous Plants" No fee. PH: 217-333-7672. Also check with your local county UI Extension office for availability. http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state/
• February 19 & 20: Gateway Greening Industry Conference, Gateway Center, Collinsville, IL. PH: 618-650-7050.
• February 20, 2008: Kankakee Area Vegetable Growers School, Kankakee, IL, for information contact James Theuri, jtheu50@uiuc.edu
• February 21-23, 2008: Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association Annual Conference, Springfield, IL, for information contact Elizabeth Wahle, Edwardsville, IL, wahle@uiuc.edu
• February 26, 2008: at 1:00 p.m. and repeated February 28 at 7:00 p.m. presented via UI Extension Telenet "Climbers and Twiners: Vines for the Home Garden" No fee. PH: 217-333-7672. Also check with your local county UI Extension office for availability. http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state/
• March 8-16, 2008: Chicagoland Flower & Garden Show, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Ill. Theme gardens, seminars, and garden marketplace will be joined by two new features Home Lifestyle Expo and an opening weekend (March 8-9) juried art show with 100-plus artists. http://www.chicagolandflowerandgarden.com/ PH: 773-435-1250.