Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing Clinics

The Illinois Pesticide Safety Act requires individual farmers and others to become certified as a Private Pesticide Applicator in order to purchase and use "restricted use pesticides." To become certified, you must pass a closed book, 50 question exam administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. In order help you prepare for the exam, University of Illinois Extension offers Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing Clinics as well as a training manual and workbook.

Mark your calendar now and plan to attend the only clinic to be held in Greene County this year. It will be on February 24, 9:00 a.m. at the Extension Building.

All training and testing clinics will have a $30 registration fee. All will start at 9:00 a.m. Advance registration is required.

If you unable to attend the one in Greene County, you're welcome to attend one in another county. Training and testing clinics will be on December 13, Montgomery County, Hillsboro, 217/532-3941; December 21, Jersey Community High School, Jerseyville, 618/498-2913; January 19, American Legion, Carlinville, 217/ 854-9604: January 20, Scott County Extension office, Winchester, 217/742-9572; February 2, Morgan County Extension office, Jacksonville, 217/243-7424; and February 16, Calhoun County Extension office, Hardin, 618/576-2293.

Two "testing only " sessions are scheduled. One in Hillsboro in Montgomery County on February 18, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call them at 217/532-3941. Also one in Carlinville in Macoupin County on March 2, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Call them at 217/ 854-9604.

If none of these clinics fit into your schedule, contact the office for a list of clinics around the state.

The Greene County Extension office has a supply of training materials for sale.Contact Greene County Extension for more information.

2010 U of I Corn and Soybean Classics to address Illinois cropping issues

University of Illinois specialists will provide the most current information about crop production, pest management, and economics at the 2010 U of I Corn and Soybean Classics, which will be presented at 6 regional conference sites between January 6 and January 14.

"One of the biggest draws of the Classic is the opportunity for participants to come to one location and in one day hear nine different speakers cover a broad range of topics," said Aaron Hager, weed scientist with U of I Extension and coordinator of the Classics. "We cover everything from production to protection to marketing of corn and soybeans."

"We've scheduled significant blocks of time to allow for questions and answers," said Hager. "We really want to emphasize communication between the speakers and the participants."

The day-long programs will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. A noon lunch and a proceedings booklet, containing synopses of all presentations, are provided to each registrant.

Adjournment at each site is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Scheduled site locations are as follows: January 6 -- Mt Vernon (Holiday Inn); January 8 -- Champaign (I Hotel and Conference Center); January 11 -- Springfield (Crowne Plaza); January 12 -- Bloomington (Doubletree Hotel); January 13 -- Moline (i Wireless Center); and January 14 -- Malta (Kishwaukee College)

A wide variety of topics is offered this year: New Information on the Distribution; and Management of Corn Nematodes in Illinois; Sulfur for Corn Production in Illinois; Evaluation of Corn and Soybean Yield Forecast Models for 2009; Determinants of Farm Profitability; Corn Traits and Hybrid Performance; Managing Insect Pests in a 5% World: A New Odyssey; A Scabby Start With a Moldy Finish: and Major Field Crop Diseases of 2009.

Registration for the programs is available online at (http://www.cropsciconferences.org/illinois_corn_and_soybean_classic/).

Pre-registrations, at a cost of $60, are accepted through December 20, 2009. Registrations received December 21-31, and all on-site registrations, are $75.

Additional information is available by contacting Aaron Hager or Sandy Osterbur at (800) 321-1296.

Holiday Websites Featured on Local Website

With the holiday approaching, links to two University of Illinois Extension websites are featured on Greene County Extension's website at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/greene/ under the Horticulture icon. Once there you'll find Christmas Trees & More and The Poinsettia Pages

Christmas Trees & More have about all the information anyone would ever want to know about the holiday tree. It has information on Christmas Tree Facts, Tree Farms, Tree Traditions, Tree Types, Selection and Care, Christmas Tree Fun, and more.

The Poinsettia Pages has a lot of information on the popular holiday plant. Here you'll find History, Facts, Selection, Care,. Links, and much more.

The two pages should be of interest to anyone who is looking to get into the holiday spirit.

Check Website Often

For many years, Greene County Extension has maintained a website. It's at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/greene/. The website contains a lot of information on Agriculture and Natural Resources. Click on that icon to see news, featured websites, additional resources, and upcoming events and information about them.

Currently the Featured Websites include Certified Crop Adviser, Integrated Pest Management, farmdoc, Illinois Livestock Trail, Certified Livestock Manager Training, and Ethanol.

Additional Resources include Farm Leasing Fact Sheets, Farm.edu, FEE HUNTING - Opportunities for Farmers and Rural Landowners, Illinois Crop-Share Cash Farm Lease, The Farmer's Tax Guide, University of Illinois Plant Clinic, Variety Testing, and more.

Office Closed for the Holidays

The Extension office will close at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 24, 2009 for the Christmas and New Year's holidays and will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 4, 2010.

Extension staff and volunteers wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

Additional Upcoming Events And Activities

Dec. 2 Internet Safety, 7:00 p.m.

Dec. 3 Wet Corn Strategies and Alternatives Webinar, 12:00 p.m.

Dec. 4 Carrollton Holiday Parade and 4-H Hot Chocolate Sales, Bucket of Suds

Dec. 7 Greene County Ext. Ed. Bldg, Assn., 7:00 p.m.

Dec. 12 Holiday Workshop, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Dec.14 4-H & Extension Foundation, 5:00 p.m.

All activities will be held at the Greene County Extension Building, Route 67 North, Carrolton, unless otherwise noted.

For more information or to pre-register, contact the Greene County office of University f Illinois Extension by telephone at 217/942-6996; by mail at RR 3, Box 129C, Carrollton 2016; in person at Route 67 North, Carrollton; or by e-mail at greene_co@extension.uiuc.edu. Information is also available on the web at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/greene/.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and

employment. Anyone needing a reasonable accommodation to participate in these programs should contact Rick Keim at 217/942-6996.