Calendar: Embryology training for teachers

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Beginners Training for Classroom Incubation & Embryology will be at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Kankakee County Extension office, 1650 Commerce Drive, Bourbonnais. This interactive, two-hour training prepares teachers with the knowledge they need to hatch eggs in their classrooms.

During the 21-day incubation period, students learn to prepare eggs, set up an incubator, record progress, turn eggs, and test eggs for fertility. The project aligns with state learning standards.

This is a required training for teachers who have not previously been trained or need to re-certify. Teachers must provide their own incubators to participate in this classroom project.

Cost is $35 which includes the training, two dozen fertile eggs, starter chick feed, curriculum, and teacher resource packet..

If you have already been through a teacher training in the past three years, you may order eggs without training. Eggs-only orders are $10 per dozen which includes starter chick feed. Egg pick-up is from 7 to 9 a.m. Feb. 22 at the Extension office. Long-term chick care dropoff is from 4 to 5 p.m. March 18 at the Extension office.

Commercial tree fruit school

HARDIN, Ill. — The Southwestern Illinois Commercial Tree Fruit School will be from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Knights of Columbus Hall, RR1, Hardin.

This year’s program features a wide range of topics to help you meet the challenges of commercial fruit production in southwestern Illinois. Industry representatives will be on hand to talk about their latest products and services.

Program schedule:

• 8:30 a.m.: Updates on Managing Peach Diseases, Emphasizing Results of our Research on Brown Rot, Mohammad Babadoost, professor and faculty Extension specialist, University of Illinois.

• 9 a.m.: Let’s Talk Weather: A Review of 2021 and a Look Forward to 2022 and Beyond, Trent Ford, state climatologist, Illinois State Water Survey

• 9:30 a.m.: Management Strategies for Mineral Nutrition of Peach Trees, Brad Taylor, associate professor, Southern Illinois University.

• 10:30 a.m.: 2022 Season in Review, Bryan “Bud” Matthews, owner, Blue Ridge Farm.

• 11 a.m.: Updates on Managing Apple Diseases, Emphasizing Bitter Rot Complex Problem, Mohammad Babadoost, professor and faculty Extension specialist, University of Illinois.

• 12:45 p.m.: Review of Mating Disruption and other Methods to Reduce Pesticide Use, Kacie Athey, assistant professor and faculty Extension specialist, University of Illinois.

• 1:45 p.m.: Management Strategies for Mineral Nutrition of Apple Trees, Brad Taylor, Southern Illinois University.

• 2:15 p.m.: Overview of Chestnut Production in Missouri, Pat Byers, University of Missouri Extension.

Cost is $40 and lunch is included. Register at tinyurl.com/2p985v7p. Registration includes one copy of the 2022 Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide. For more information, contact Ken Johnson, 217-243-7424, kjohnso@illlinois.edu.

Indiana Dairy Producers meeting

HUNTINGBURG, Ind. — The 2022 Indiana Regional Dairy Meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Dubois County Fairgrounds, 4157 S St Rd 162, Huntingburg.

Program topics will include:

• First Steps in Succession Planning

• Beef on Dairy: From Concept to your Bottomline

• Dairy Product Consumption Trends

• Sustainability: What, Why, How, & Opportunities

• A Different Approach to On-farm Processing

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/4fbvte2a.

Purdue beef basics

Purdue Extension beef experts are hosting a program for producers with less than five years of experience or individuals considering starting a beef cattle operation.

Purdue University professors and Extension specialists and educators will lead each of the eight virtual sessions from 6 to 8 p.m. EST Feb. 8-March 29.

Agriculture teachers who choose to complete this program will receive a certificate for up to 16 hours of PGPS for professional development.

Cost is $50. Register at tinyurl.com/beefbasics22.

For more information, contact Brooke Stefancik at 812-268-4332, or bstefan@purdue.edu.

Southern Illinois Fruit and Vegetable School

MT. VERNON, Ill. — Don’t make costly mistakes with your fruit and vegetable specialty crops. Get the latest research at the 2022 Southern Illinois Fruit and Vegetable School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Double Tree by Hilton, 222 Potomac Blvd., Mt. Vernon.

Get practical research-based information to make your specialty crop flourish and profit. This year, the program will feature four separate tracks to address vegetable, tree fruits, small fruits, and cut flower production. Current trends in insect and disease management, as well as a variety of other production related topics will be discussed. Vendors will be on site to discuss your production needs.

Program schedule:

TREE FRUIT

• 8:30 a.m.: Updates on Managing Peach Diseases, Emphasizing Results of Research on Brown Rot, Mohammad Babadoost, professor and faculty Extension specialist, University of Illinois.

• 9 a.m.: Let’s Talk Weather: A Review of 2021 and a Look Forward to 2022 and Beyond, Trent Ford, state climatologist, Illinois State Water Survey.

• 9:30 a.m.: Management Strategies for Mineral Nutrition of Peach Trees, Brad Taylor, associate professor, Southern Illinois University.

• 10:30 a.m.: 2022 Season in Review, Tom Schwartz, owner, Schwartz Orchards.

• 11 a.m.: Updates on Managing Apple Diseases, Emphasizing Bitter Rot Complex Problem, Mohammad Babadoost, professor and faculty Extension specialist, University of Illinois.

• 1:30 p.m.: Review of Mating Disruption and other Methods to Reduce Pesticide Use, Kacie Athey, assistant professor and faculty Extension specialist, University of Illinois.

• 2:45 p.m.: Management Strategies for Mineral Nutrition of Apple Trees, Brad Taylor, Southern Illinois University.

• 3:15 p.m.: Overview of Chestnut Production in Missouri, Pat Byers, University of Missouri Extension.

VEGETABLES

• 8:30 a.m.: Tomato Fertility in High Tunnel, Bronwyn Aly, Extension educator, University of Illinois Extension.

• 9 a.m.: What’s New for 2022, with a Focus on Sweet Corn and Pumpkins, Derrill Kregel, sales representative, Rispens Seeds.

• 9:30 a..m.: Rain Fastness of Fungicides and When to Spray, Dan Egel, clinical engagement associate professor, Purdue University.

• 10:30 a.m.: No-till Tomato and Pepper Research Trial, Nathan Johanning, University of Illinois Extension.

• 11 a.m.: Tomato Research Report: The Effect of Regenerative Agricultural Practices on Insect Pressure, Soil Health and Yield, Kacie Athey, assistant professor and faculty Extension specialist, University of Illinois.

• 1:30 p.m.: Major Cucurbit Diseases in 2021 and Their Management in 2022, Mohammad Babadoost, professor and faculty Extension specialist, University of Illinois.

• 2:45 p.m.: Update on Major Tomato Diseases, Mohammad Babadoost, professor and faculty Extension specialist, University of Illinois.

• 3:15 p.m.: Pumpkin Production Back to Basics, Nathan Johanning, Extension educator, University of Illinois Extension.

SMALL FRUITS

• 8:30 a.m.: Review of Spotted Wing Drosophila Management in Small Fruit, Kacie Athey, assistant professor and faculty Extension specialist, University of Illinois Extension.

• 9 a.m.: UV Cooler Research Project, Ruplal Choudhary, professor, Southern Illinois University.

• 9:30 a.m.: Crop Insurance Options for Small Farms, Doug Yoder, crops agency manager, Country Financial.

• 10:30 a.m.: Fertility Management in Established Blueberry and Blackberry Plantings, Pat Byers, University of Missouri Extension.

• 11:15 a.m.: Understanding Small Fruit Root Requirements, Elizabeth Wahle. University of Illinois Extension.

CUT FLOWERS

• 1:30 p.m.: Season Extension and Year-Round Production with Succession Plantings, Karen “Mimo” Davis, co-owner, Urban Buds.

• 2 p.m.: Marketing — Now That You Have Grown Your Cut Flowers — Let’s Sell Them, Karen “Mimo” Davis, co-owner, Urban Buds.

• 2:45 p.m.: U-Pick Flower Farm That Includes Cut Flowers, Sunflowers and More, Sally Malone, owner, Shawnee Stems.

• 3:15 p.m.: How to Plant Using Raised Beds and Field Grown Techniques in Landscape Fabric; Value-added Products Using Dried Flowers and Wedding Bouquets, Alyssa Short, owner, Blessed Blooms Flower Farm.

• 3:45 p.m.: Post-Harvest Care and Handling of Fresh Cut Flowers: How to Extend your Vase Life, Chris Lueking, Extension educator, University of Illinois Extension.

Cost is $50. Register at tinyurl.com/yc4mh832. Registration includes one copy of the 2022 Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide or one copy of the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers,

For more information, contact Elizabeth Wahle, 618-344-4230, wahle@illinois.edu.

Keeping your heart healthy

Heart disease is a broad term used to describe a range of diseases that affect your heart. The virtual program Keeping Your Heart Healthy will be at 10 a.m. EST Feb. 9.

For more information, contact Kidane Amare Sarko at 260-481-6437, or ksarko@purdue.edu.

Financial education 101

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The program Financial Education 101 will go back to the basics on financial education and dive into the eight steps to becoming financially stable. This free class will be offered in person with six classes starting every hour from 2 to 7 p.m. EST Feb. 9 at the John H. Boner Community Center, 2236 E. 10th St., Indianapolis.

Register on site at John H. Boner Community Center. A virtual option will be offered at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 23. Register at tinyurl.com/mujnapmj.

For more information, contact Ashley Piland at 317-275-9253, or wood246@purdue.edu.

Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Report

The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Report webinar will be at 1 p.m. Feb. 10.

The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy guides the state’s efforts to improve water quality at home and downstream by reducing nitrogen and phosphorus levels in lakes, rivers and streams. NLRS lays out a comprehensive suite of best management practices for reducing nutrient losses from wastewater treatment plants and urban and agricultural runoff. Discover how stakeholder partner efforts in Illinois have progressed and how you can play a part in improving the quality of your local waterways.

This webinar will provide a briefing of the 2021 NLRS Biennial Report, highlighting Extension activities that engage individuals and groups.

The webinar is part of the Extension’s Everyday Environment Webinar Series. Register at tinyurl.com/5dzr6d28.

Dudley Smith Farm Winter Meeting

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — The Dudley Smith Farm Winter Meeting covers a range of topics related to sustainable agriculture practices and the adoption of technological advances used to assist rural farms across Illinois. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 10 at the Christian County Extension office, 1120 N. Webster St., Taylorville.

Winter meeting topics include Beef Cattle Management, Grazing Management, Soil Health, Nutrient Management and Water Quality.

Program schedule:

• 10 a.m.: Cover Crops for Beef Research Projects, Kylie P. Ewing, University of Illinois graduate assistant, Animal Sciences.

• 10:25 a.m.: How Various Grazing Practices Work for Our Operation, Tanner Mickey, Pana, Illinois.

• 11 a.m.: Dudley Smith Farm Tile Drainage Phosphorus Loss: Heating Up with Hot Spots and Hot Moments and Future Research on Dudley Smith Farm, Laura Christianson, University of Illinois Department of Crop Sciences.

• 11:30 a.m.: Grazing Management Strategies, Dan Shike, University of Illinois Department of Animal Sciences.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Register at web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=24712.

Pruning Apples and More

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — The program Pruning Apples and More will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Macoupin County Extension office, #60 Carlinville Plaza, Carlinville.

Pruning fruit trees is a necessary task to reap the greatest benefit from your trees. Join University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Andrew Holsinger as he presents a variety of pruning techniques for apples and other fruit trees.

The program also will be offered online. Register at tinyurl.com/4fbttz5u.

YQCA certification program

FREMONT, Ind. — Steuben County Youth for the Quality Care of Animals training will be at 9 a.m EST Feb. 11 at the Fremont Library, 1004 Toledo St., Fremont.

YQCA is a national, multi-species quality assurance program for youth ages 8 to 21 with a focus on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development.

Saturdays with a Master Gardener

STERLING, Ill. — The workshop series Saturdays with a Master Gardener begins at 10 a.m. Feb. 12 at the Whiteside County Extension office, 12923 Lawrence Road, Sterling.

Programs in the series:

• Feb. 12: Grab your Webster’s, It’s time for Plant Phenology: Plant phenology is the study of natural plant cycles, a valuable planning tool for gardeners in this time of climate change and unpredictable weather.

• March 12: Not Just for Beds Anymore, Why You Should Plant Annuals: Need extra color in your gardens? Learn why you should plant annuals.

• April 9: Choosing the Right Ground Covers: Have an area in your yard where nothing will grow? Find a ground cover that will dress up your landscape.

• July 16: Will the Real Lily Please Stand Up: Need to add color and fragrance to your garden? Learn about the different variety of lilies that will produce showy color and aromatic fragrance.

• Sept. 17: Add Color and Texture to Your Yard, Selecting the Right Trees: Trees provide shade and habitat for wildlife, hear about the different species that will enhance your landscape.

• Oct. 15: All Tucked Away for a Long Winter’s Nap, Your Garden Needs Covers Too: Protect your soil and provide nutrients for your produce garden.

• Nov. 12: A Clean Tool is a Happy Tool, Care and Cleaning of Garden Tools: Keep your tools in working condition, learn the ins and outs of tool care and cleaning.

Timber sales seminar

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The program Timber Sales & Taxes in Illinois will be from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 12 at the Morgan County Extension office, 104 N Westgate Ave., Jacksonville.

Illinois woodland owners have sold over $250 million worth of timber over the last decade. Truth be told, that financial figure should be much higher. The bad news: Illinois woodland owners are underselling their timber by millions of dollars every year.

Extension State Forester Jay Hayek will discuss how to market your timber, how to properly conduct a timber sale, how to involve a professional forester, and how to guarantee you more income and more timber sales over your land ownership tenure.

Cost is $15. Register at tinyurl.com/53fn5pfv. For more information, contact Duane Friend at 217-243-7424.

Fruit and vegetable conference

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — The Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 14 at McHenry County College, 8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake.

This conference attracts commercial vegetable and fruit growers from farms in Illinois and Wisconsin, all of whom sell to small and/or wholesale markets. University of Illinois Extension specialists will provide updated production-related information.

The keynote address — From Too Much Water to Too Little: Summary of Recent Weather Extremes and Changing Patterns — will be presented by Trent Ford, state climatologist, Illinois State Water Survey.

Breakout sessions will include: Updates on Management of Apple Diseases; Wood-boring Pests and Mating Disruption in Fruit Trees; Observations of Tomato and Cucurbit Disease in 2021 and Suggested Managements in 2022; and Working Toward More Sustainable Vegetable Production Using Regenerative Agriculture Techniques.

Cost is $35. Register at tinyurl.com/2vu55vcb.