Ag & Narural Resources

Beautiful shades of green are eagerly anticipated and welcomed each spring and summer, but soon transition to the golden hues of harvest. The rich black dirt typically found in Ford and Iroquois Counties has also been a key factor in farming operations. A second colorful plot in University of Illinois Extension's growing experience annually focuses on SAFE AND EFFECTIVE PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE. "Hot topics" in the agriculture industry were provided again this past year through face-to-face workshops and teleconferences at the state and local level for grain farmers, landlords, livestock producers, agribusiness representatives, as well as supplying continuing education hours for certified crop advisors (CCAs). For the past several years, Ford-Iroquois Extension Ag Day in Buckley has been one of the most popular and best attended ag events in the area.

• Over 325 farmers received private applicator training and certification through the Illinois Department of Agriculture for restricted use pesticides this past winter.
  
  
• The Ford-Iroquois Extension office in Onarga has served as the host site for the monthly Ag Professionals Breakfast since November 2004. Approximately 60 - 70 producers and agribusiness representatives are in attendance each month to learn more about crop insurance, grain marketing, FAST tools (from FarmDoc web site: www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu), spring planting tips for 2005, ethanol production and integrated pest management practices.
  
  
• Twelve producers have put together a marketing plan for their enterprise and broadened their knowledge of market and price analysis, marketing strategies, and crop insurance by participating in the Risk Management and Grain Marketing teleconferences series.
  
  
• Beef, sheep, swine, dairy producers broadened their knowledge base at specie specific seminars addressing livestock management and sustainability.
  
  
• Twenty certified crop advisors obtained continuing education hours on alfalfa management and current drainage procedures at winter workshops offered through the Extension office.
  
  
• 140 producers and agribusinesses focused on current agriculture issues such as harvesting the power of the internet for today's farming, managing conflict, meth labs in Ford-Iroquois Counties, protecting your personal privacy, the ABC's of F.S.A., and taking a bite out of high utility bills at the Ford-Iroquois Extension Ag Day 2006.
  
  
• Harvest Bags distributed to 750 farm families featured nutritional snacks, farm safety information, and resource materials provided by U of I Extension.
  
  
• Networking efforts with Farmers Merchants Bank and Ford County Soil and Water Conservation Office resulted in 2 face-to-face seminars on FarmDoc and pond management, respectively with a total of 38 in attendance. Such joint ventures allow for expanded audiences and marketing opportunities.
  
  
• Two Progressive Farmer Farm Safety Day camps were held in Gibson City (95 5th grade students) and Watseka (200 youth) to create awareness and provide important farm safety reminders.