University of Illinois extension Announces upcoming winter programs
University of Illinois Extension Announces upcoming winter programs
University of Illinois Extension released its upcoming online and in-person agricultural, environmental and horticulture program list for winter 2025.
Illinois’ Pesticide Safety Education Program began Dec. 19 and will run through April 3. Private applicator in person clinics, commercial applicator/operator in-person clinics and online training options are available. Local testing sites include (Bourbonnais or Joliet): To sign up and register for classes go to this site: https://illinoisdepartmentofagriculture.setmore.com/classes.
Joliet, IL at Will County Farm Bureau, 100 Manhattan Rd., Joliet, IL 60433. All exams available.
AM sessions include: February 7, 2025 (9:00 am – 12:00 pm) or March 6, 2025 (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)
PM Sessions – February 7 (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm) or March 6 (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Bourbonnais, IL U of I Extension office, 1650 Commerce Dr., Bourbonnais, IL 60914 All exams available.
AM Sessions – March 6 (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)
PM Sessions – March 8 (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
Livestock
Marketing and the future of the cow herd expansion is the focus of the 13th annual Driftless Region Beef Conference in Dubuque, Iowa Jan. 23-24. This conference includes Extension specialists from Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin for programs focusing on production needs and timely topics.
Certified Livestock Manager Training will be hosted throughout the state Feb. 4-19. The training schedule for 2025 includes: Feb. 4, Effingham; Feb. 5, Breese; Feb. 6, Pittsfield; Feb. 10, Monmouth; Feb. 11, Springfield; Feb. 18, Freeport; and Feb. 19, Sycamore.
The 2025 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale begins at 11 a.m. Feb. 20 during the Illinois Beef Expo in Springfield. The sale gives bull buyers the information needed to make positive herd progress.
Crops
Six Illinois Extension agronomy summits will take place throughout the state in January. Attendees will hear research updates from university experts to gain insightful tips for making farm management decisions. 2025 dates and locations include: Jan. 14, Peoria; Jan. 16, Waterloo; Jan. 21, Springfield; Jan. 23, Oglesby; Jan. 28, Albion; and Jan. 29, Freeport.
Crop producers, consultants, industry professionals and students are invited to attend Crop Management Conference sessions online or in person. The in person programs will be Feb. 12 in Champaign and Feb. 19 in Sycamore. Those registering for the online conference option will have from Feb. 23 through April 30 to access the courses.
Specialty crops
From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference is Jan. 29-31 at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield. This combined Illinois food, farmers market and specialty crop conference is a collaboration between the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Specialty Growers Association and Illinois Farmers Market Association.
Growers can get practical research-based information to make specialty crops flourish and profit at the Southern Illinois Fruit and Vegetable School in Mt. Vernon. The program will feature three separate tracks to address vegetable, tree fruits and cut flower production.
The Land Leasing Basics program takes place online at 7 p.m. on March 17. This program is part of the Legal Training Small Farms Series and aims to help landowners, ranchers and farmers understand what a lease should include and how to put it in writing.
Southwestern Illinois Commercial Tree Fruit School in Hardin is Feb. 11 at 8:30 a.m. The program features a wide range of topics to help individuals meet the challenges of commercial fruit production in southwestern Illinois.
Home, community and commercial horticulture
The Tips and Tricks for Winter Sowing Annuals webinar aims to help participants learn several winter sowing improvements to make the process more effective. This online program takes place Feb. 11 at 1:30 p.m. and is a part of the Four Seasons Gardening series.
Another online horticulture webinar, Root Awakening: Spring Tree Tips, is March 4 at 1:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to check for winter damage, boost tree health and promote strong roots and lush leaves throughout the growing season.
Forestry and trees
Tree care webinars will run on multiple dates starting Jan. 15. This community tree care series training provides information and resources for communities to ensure proper tree care. The 2025 tree care webinar sessions are: Jan. 15, Site and Species Selection and Construction Damage; Jan. 29, Planting and Improper Practices; Feb. 12, Tree Identification and Health Assessment; Feb. 26, Abiotic and Biotic Stressors; March 12, Pruning Methods and Benefits of Trees; and March 26, Diversity and Advocacy and Choosing Nursery Stock.
Additional details about these events and more are available at https://extension.illinois.edu/global/events.