Agriculture and Natural Resources
This year's programming covered a vast array of topics for producers in Shelby County. It is our goal to provide producers with discussion on "Hot Topics" in the agriculture industry and provide them with research based answers to their questions and concerns. In order to meet the needs of the public, it is necessary to provide face to face workshops, teleconferences, and collaborative programs with other agribusinesses in the area. Shelby County Extension was able to present our "tired and true" local level agriculture programs as well as host a state wide program in Forage Production. Some of the highlights for 2007 were:
Shelby County Ag Day - 47 participants attended this multi-session workshop, which was offered in February 2007. In addition to educational information presented by Extension Educators, information was also presented by USDA - FSA staff and Carle Center for Rural Health Educators. Participants were also given the opportunity to visit with 12 area organizations and agribusinesses.
Heartland Graziers - 31 participants attended this on-going collaborative program. Heartland Graziers is a collaborative effort between Shelby County Farm Bureau, USDA-NRCS and Shelby County Extension. The goal of this group is to serve as a resource for the growing number of producers utilizing Management Intensive Grazing in Shelby County and the surrounding area.
Forage Expo - 57 participants attended educational sessions, field demonstrations of forage harvesting equipment and commercial displays of forage related products and equipment. Participants had the opportunity to visit with representatives from 17 different Forage related agribusinesses. IL Forage Expo was a collaborative effort of the following agencies: IL Forage & Grassland Council, USDA Risk Management Services, IL Grazing Land Conservation Initiative, Shelby County Farm Bureau, Heartland RC & D, Shelby County Soil & Water Conservation District, USDA - NRCS, Moultrie County Ag Education & Literacy Partners.
Other notable agriculture and natural resource programs and information:
- Pesticide Safety Education Program - 75 participants
- Beef Producer Seminar - January 2007 - 22 participants
- Cole -Bottrell/Shelby County Extension Plots -
- · Corn - 19 companies, ave. 218.6 bushels per acre
- · Soybean - 17 companies, ave. 55 bushels per acre
- Plot Day Program - August 2007 - 77 participants
- Market Outlook - November 2007 - 27 participants
- Ag Newsletter - 873 copies - Quarterly distribution
- Rain Map provided weekly reports from 24 township volunteers in local papers and on county web site.
