BEGIN:VCALENDAR METHOD:PUBLISH VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//University of Illinois Extension/Content Management System//EN X-WR-CALNAME:Illinois Small Farms Event Calendar X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/Chicago X-LIC-LOCATION:America/Chicago BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120124T120000 DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120329T120000 UID:extension.uiuc.edu/event-15153 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED SUMMARY:Small Farms Local Foods Webinars DESCRIPTION:A series of webinars on a variety of topics that relate to small farms and local foods will be held at University of Illinois Extension offices throughout the state on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning January 24 and running through March 29. \n\nUniversity of Illinois Extension educators will present information on small farms\, poultry\, horticulture\, livestock\, woodlands\, pests\, pasture management\, soil fertility\, and other topics.\n\n Pastured Poultry\n January 24 (7 p.m.) & January 26 (1 p.m.)\n This session will provide information for small farm producers that will help identify characteristics\, opportunities and challenges of pasture-based poultry production.\n GAPS Training \n January 31 (7 p.m.) & February 2 (1 p.m.)\n Good Agricultural practices (GAPs) are a set of recommendations to improve the quality and safety of agricultural products. These general guidelines can be used in any production system. GAPs focus on primary components of food production and processing.  Learn more about how to implement GAPS on your farm during this presentation.\n Soil Fertility\n February 7 (7 p.m.) & February 9 (1 p.m.)\n Learn the basics of soil fertility.  What nutrients are needed\, what role do they serve\, which present potential environmental problems\, and which tend to become deficient? Can you conduct a soil test on your own? What organic amendments tend to be the best source of essential nutrients?  These and other topics will be covered during a general overview of soil science.\n Raising Sheep and Goats \n February 14 (7 p.m.) & February 16 (1 p.m.)\n There are many reasons for raising either sheep or goats\, whether the motivation is economic\, environmental concerns\, and/or quality of life. Consideration of raising these livestock will be discussed with special attention paid to issues affecting production including nutrition\, health\, pasture management\, predator control\, housing\, and marketing. On small acreage\, sheep and goats are particularly well-suited and easy to manage. \n Methods for Extending the Growing Season\n February 21 (7 p.m.) & February 23 (1 p.m.)\n There are a variety of methods growers can utilize to extend the lengths of the growing season\, to take advantage of an earlier market and/or a late market for their produce. The ability to market produce earlier or later than your competition has economic advantages. Learn about season extensions\, in a variety of designs\, from simple to complex.\n Are you Farm to School Ready??\n February 28 (7 p.m.) & March 1 (1 p.m.)\n This session will answer the Frequently Asked Questions for Illinois farmers who have not set up a direct-to-consumer farm business. This session will take participants through the “Checklist for Starting Direct Farm Sales” discussing issues such as\, general business considerations\, liability\, taxes\, labor and employment\, food safety\, land use and zoning as well as the Farm-to-School Readiness Checklist discussing some frequently asked questions.\n Managing your Woodland for Profitability and Sustainability\n March 6  (7 p.m.) & March 8 (1 p.m.)\n Just like any production enterprise on your farm\, woodland planning and management is necessary to maximize growth and profitability.   Are you actively managing the wooded acreage on your property?  If not\, learn how to get started.   If you already have a forest management plan\, techniques and practices will be presented that could be incorporated into your plan to increase profitability.\n Common Garden Pests\n March 13 (7 p.m.) & March 15 (1 p.m.)\n This session will cover the most common insect pests that damage vegetable crops.  We’ll cover identification\, life cycles\, monitoring methods\, and control for common pests such as cabbage worms\, flea beetles\, cucumber beetles\, corn earworm\, squash bug\, cutworms\, Colorado potato beetle\, aphids\, and more.\n Companion Planting\n March 20 (7 p.m.) & March 22 (1 p.m.) \n Companion planting is the establishment of two or more planting species in close proximity. The plant species can benefit each other by factors that increase crop productivity such as pest control\, pollination\, and soil fertility.\n Pasture Management\n March 27 (7 p.m.) & March 29 (1 p.m.)\n Improve\, manage and efficiently utilize your pastures through some simple principles of pasture management that will be presented in this webinar.\n\nAll Tuesday webinars will begin at 7 p.m.\, and all Thursday webinars will begin at 1 p.m.\n\nFor complete information about dates and locations\, contact Steve Cravens by phone at 309-342-5108\, ext. 131\, email scravens@illinois.edu\, or contact your local Extension office. DTSTAMP:20120103T084657 LAST-MODIFIED:20120103T084657 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120213T120000 UID:extension.uiuc.edu/event-15141 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED SUMMARY:Don't Worry\, Be Savvy: Farm Savvy Risk Management - Managing Human Risk DESCRIPTION:A webinar series addressing risk management will be held on January 23\, January 30\, February 6\, and February 13\, 2012. Co-sponsored by the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation and the University of Illinois Extension\, this series of four webinars will provide a comprehensive look at methods of evaluating\, managing\, and reducing risk on small farms. They will help farmers to ensure their success by identifying\, assessing\, and addressing the risks that threaten their farms. In-person workshops will be offered in the spring to follow up on the materials presented in the webinar series and to address farmers' specific issues related to compiling a comprehensive risk management plan.\nYou can attend one or all of the sessions - Risk Management Basics (January 23); Risk Management in Production and Marketing (January 30); Financial Risk Management (February 6); and Managing Human Risk (February 13).\nThe webinars will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the following Extension Offices: \n\n \n \n Unit\n Location\n Contact\n Email\n Website\n \n \n \n 2\n Belevidere\n Ellen \n Phillips\n ephillps@illinois.edu\n http://web.extension.illinois.edu\n/bdo/\n \n \n 8\n Ottawa\n Jill \n Guynn\n jguynn@illinois.edu\n http://web.extension.illinois.edu\n /blmp/\n \n \n 8\n Princeton\n Jill \n Guynn\n jguynn@illinois.edu\n http://web.extension.illinois.edu\n /blmp/\n \n \n 8\n Henry\n Jill \n Guynn\n jguynn@illinois.edu\n http://web.extension.illinois.edu\n /blmp/\n \n \n 9\n Joliet\n James \n Theuri\n jtheu50@illinois.edu\n http://web.extension.illinois.edu\n/gkw/\n \n \n 11\n Peoria\n Matt \n Montgomery\n mpmontgo@illinois.edu\n http://web.extension.illinois.edu\n /fmpt/\n \n \n 12\n Pontiac\n Chris \n Konieczka\n cmkonie@illinois.edu\n http://web.extension.illinois.edu\n/lmw/\n \n \n 13\n Champaign\n Steve \n Ayers\n srayers@illinois.edu\n http://web.extension.illinois.edu\n/cfiv/\n \n \n 14\n Quincy\n Mike \n Roegge\n roeggem@illinois.edu\n http://web.extension.illinois.edu\n /abhps/\n \n \n 16\n Springfield\n Deborah \n Cavanaugh-\n Grant \n cvnghgrn@illinois.edu\n http://web.extension.illinois.edu\n/lms/\n \n \n 17\n Decatur\n Paul \n Mariman\n pmariman@illinois.edu\n http://web.extension.illinois.edu\n/dmp/\n \n \n 19\n Arthur\n Dave \n Shiley\n dshiley@illinois.edu\n http://web.extension.illinois.edu/\n ccdms/\n \n \n 21\n Effingham\n Rachelle \n Hollinshead\n rhollins@illinois.edu\n http://web.extension.illinois.edu\n/cefj/\n \n \n 26\n Benton\n John Pike\n jpike@illinois.edu\n http://web.extension.illinois.edu\n /fjprw/\n \n \n\n\nThere is no fee for the programs. To register\, please go to the website of the office that is organizing the webinar that you plan to attend. \nYou may also attend the webinar from your home. You will need to have a computer with high-speed Internet access and a way to listen to the presentation (headsets are best\, but speakers will work). After you register\, you will receive instructions and a link for the webinar.\nIf you have any questions or would like more information\, please email the contact person in your Extension Office. If your office is not listed\, please contact Deborah Cavanaugh at cvnghgrn@illinois.edu DTSTAMP:20111219T104833 LAST-MODIFIED:20111219T113126 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120215T120000 UID:extension.uiuc.edu/event-14957 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED SUMMARY:9th Annual Composting Symposium: Composting for a Sustainable Community: From Backyards to Farms DESCRIPTION:\n Find out about composting for homeowners and farms\n Meet compost pros from throughout the Midwest\n Learn about the future of composting in Illinois\n Attend a BONUS Build Your Own Bin Workshop from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.\n\nRegister online and learn more at: www.llcc.edu/greencenter or by calling 217-786-2434\n LOCATION:Trutter Center\, Lincoln Land Community College\, Springfield\, IL DTSTAMP:20111020T012307 LAST-MODIFIED:20111108T094843 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120216T120000 DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120315T120000 UID:extension.uiuc.edu/event-15156 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED SUMMARY:Beginning Beekeeping Program DESCRIPTION:\nExplore the fascinating world of honey bees and the steps to becoming a beekeeper at “Introduction to Beekeeping”.  This four part series will cover all aspects of beginning beekeeping\, whether you think you might like to become a beekeeper or would just like to learn more about honey bees.  This program is sponsored by Lincoln Land Beekeepers Association and University of Illinois Extension Logan-Menard-Sangamon Unit.  \nSession dates are on Thursdays\, February 16 and 23 and March 1 and 15\, from 6 pm to 9 pm.  \nRegistration fee of $25.  Class size will be limited.  To register or for more information call the Extension office at (217) 782-4617.  \n LOCATION: University of Illinois Extension Building\, 700 S. Airport Drive\, Springfield\, IL DTSTAMP:20120105T100625 LAST-MODIFIED:20120105T100625 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120216T120000 UID:extension.uiuc.edu/event-15185 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED SUMMARY:Northwest Illinois Grazing Conference: Dollars and Sense of Grazing DESCRIPTION:Livestock producers can learn how to cut feed costs through grazing at the upcoming 2012 Northwest Illinois Grazing Conference: Dollars and Sense of Grazing. The program will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. \nPastures are often underappreciated as a less expensive way of meeting animal nutritional needs. Livestock can be fed less expensively when they harvest their own feed than when the producer plants\, grows\, harvests\, stores and supplies feed to the animal. With a moderate investment in materials and some management changes\, a producer can increase forage production significantly and meet animal needs for as many as nine months of the year in our climate.\nPoorly distributed watering points are usually the greatest hurdle in establishing a sound grazing rotation. Jay Solomon\, U of I Extension Educator\, will discuss using water as a management tool. USDA NRCS Grasslands Specialist\, Matt Bunger\, will provide  recommendations on temporary and permanent fencing strategies and materials. \nJim Morrison\, retired U of I Extension Crop Educator\, will lay out the process for successfully renovating pastures. Dr. Larry Tranel\, Dairy Field Specialist with Iowa State University Extension\, will provide a detailed analysis of how grazing reduces feed costs. \nA lunch provided by Springbrook Catering will be followed by a discussion on forage species selection and alternative forages\, by retired NRCS State Resource Conservationist Richard Hungerford. John Bell\, NRCS District Conservationist in Jo Daviess County\, will provide information on technical assistance and funding available for pasture improvements.\nFinally\, a panel of graziers will evaluate their operations from an economic standpoint and respond to questions from the audience. Dairy will be represented by producer/Iowa State Extension Specialist Dr. Larry Tranel\, beef and sheep by producer/University of Wisconsin Extension Specialist Gene Schriefer\, and sheep by Illinois producer Elton Mau. \nSuppliers of pasture-related materials or services\, or of livestock-based local food\, who wish to help sponsor the event or set up a booth at the conference should call the Jo Daviess Soil and Water Conservation District at 815-858-3418 ext. 3 by February 10. \nThe registration fee is $20 per person through February 10th and $30 thereafter. Contact U of I Extension in Elizabeth at 815-858-2273 for registration information\, or register online with a credit card at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw/\nUSDA-NRCS is an equal opportunity employer and provider. NRCS: Helping People Help The Land LOCATION:Holy Cross Catholic Church\, 223 E. Front Ave.\, Stockton\, IL DTSTAMP:20120124T045009 LAST-MODIFIED:20120124T045009 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120218T120000 UID:extension.uiuc.edu/event-15207 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED SUMMARY:Extending the Season Using High Tunnels Workshop DESCRIPTION:The Central Illinois Sustainable Farmer Network and U of I Extension Units 9\, 12 & 13 will sponsor a workshop focusing on "Extending the Season Using High Tunnels.” The day long workshop will appeal to both commercial and home gardeners who are interested in learning more about hoop houses. University of Illinois student farm manager\, Zach Grant\, will lead off the presentations with his experiences with season extension using hoop houses at the U of I student farm. U of I Extension Educator\, James Theuri\, will then review options for pest management with high tunnels. Bob Blain of Riverfront Berry Farm in Martinton will discuss his use of hoop houses at the berry farm. Lunch will be served at 11:45. After lunch\, Jeff Kanosky of Bork Nursery will review the use of hoop houses in their commercial operation. Participants will also learn about opportunities for hoop houses through the USDA NRCS EQUIP high tunnel program. Weather permitting\, Kanosky will lead a tour of a Bork Nurseries hoop house.\nThere is no charge to attend. For more information and to register.  LOCATION:Ford-Iroquois Extension Office\, 912 W. Seminary Ave.\, Onarga\, IL (Ford County) DTSTAMP:20120201T013906 LAST-MODIFIED:20120201T013921 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120218T120000 UID:extension.uiuc.edu/event-15210 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED SUMMARY:Yielding Success in Social Media DESCRIPTION:Are you using social media to its fullest marketing potential as a producer? We all know that a social media presence today is a must. However\, the “social media-sphere” is constantly changing\, and in order for it to be effective\, it must be used strategically. Learn the latest trends in social media and see how producers like you are using it to optimize their operations. Understand how to take advantage of the various marketing tools that social media sites have to offer - whether it is to meet the bottom line and increase sales\, connect with consumers\, or to even learn from other producers. Let us help you navigate your way through the Twitter terminology and blogging basics to help you decide which social media strategy is best for you.\nAs part of the Central Illinois Farm Beginnings program this year\, Dr. Katie Abrams (University of Illinois\, Interim Director & Visiting Assistant Professor Agricultural Communications) is presenting a workshop on how to develop a social media marketing strategy from 2:00-3:30 pm. Her presentation is a preview to a collaborative effort between several universities to create social media marketing workshops that meet the needs of farmers. \nAll farmers are welcome and there is no cost to attend\, but you must RSVP by Wednesday\, February 15th. Space is limited. For more information and to register contact\, Micah Bornstein\, Farmer Programs Coordinator\, The Land Connection at micah@thelandconnection.org   LOCATION: U of I Extension\, McLean County Office\, 402 N Hershey Rd.\, Bloomington\, IL DTSTAMP:20120206T044300 LAST-MODIFIED:20120206T044300 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120218T120000 UID:extension.uiuc.edu/event-15146 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED SUMMARY:Putting Small Acres to Work DESCRIPTION:This program is designed for those who have a few acres theyd like to find an enterprise which could supply some income or provide for family enjoyment. Topics you can select from include: Agrotourism/ Recreational land use opportunities; Getting the most from pasture/hay acres; Beginning beekeeping; Pond/lake management; Cut flower production; Asparagus/rhubarb. The general session will discuss business planning\, marketing and goal setting. Local producers will provide the training in each of these hour-long sessions. The program will begin at 8:30am and end at 1:00 pm. Cost for the program is $30 per person ($40 for couples) and includes lunch. Students can attend for $10. Register on line at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/abhps/ LOCATION:John Wood Community College\, 1301 S. 48th Street\, Quincy DTSTAMP:20111219T043916 LAST-MODIFIED:20111219T043916 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120221T120000 UID:extension.uiuc.edu/event-15211 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED SUMMARY:Tomato Grafting Workshop DESCRIPTION:Grafting vegetables to manage soilborne disease is an increasingly popular process\, especially for growers growing heirloom tomato varieties. Grafting can be effective against a variety of soilborne fungal\, bacterial\, viral\, and nematode diseases with increased yield and improved fruit quality resulting from the procedure. Extension Educators will teach attendees how to graft heirloom tomatoes on disease resistant rootstocks. A fee of $10 includes class materials and simple grafting supplies to beginning grafting at home. The program will be held from 9:00-11:00 am. \nPlease register on line at: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=6402 If you're going to attend please let me know and we can try to carpool to Macomb (email me at cvnghgrn@illinois.edu LOCATION:U of I Extension\, McDonough County Office\, 3022 W Jackson\, Macomb\, IL DTSTAMP:20120206T044350 LAST-MODIFIED:20120206T044350 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120223T120000 DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120225T120000 UID:extension.uiuc.edu/event-15170 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED SUMMARY:MOSES Organic Farming Conference DESCRIPTION:Organized by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)\, the Organic Farming Conference (OFC) is an extraordinary\, farmer-centered event\, and the largest organic farming conference in the country. With over 65 informative workshops\, 160 exhibitors\, locally sourced organic food\, and inspirational keynote speakers\, the OFC is celebrated as the foremost educational and networking event in the organic farming community. For more information and to register.\n LOCATION:La Crosse Center\, 300 Harborview Plaza\, La Crosse\, Wisconsin DTSTAMP:20120119T110556 LAST-MODIFIED:20120119T110556 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120310T120000 UID:extension.uiuc.edu/event-15212 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED SUMMARY:Central Illinois Sustainable Farming Network 2nd Annual Meeting DESCRIPTION:The Central Illinois Sustainable Farming Network will hold its second annual meeting from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.  The keynote speaker will be Chef Chris Pandel of The Bristol located in Chicago. Registration for the annual meeting is $40 per person\, which includes dinner prepared by Chef Ashley Glatz at RealCuisine Catering featuring locally grown food. To register\, visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lms/ or contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant\, Extension Educator\, Local Food Systems and Small Farms\, University of Illinois Extension at cvnghgrn@illinois.edu or217-782-4617. LOCATION:Illinois Department of Agriculture Auditorium\, Illinois State Fairgrounds (off of Sangamon Ave\, Gate 11)\, Springfield\, IL DTSTAMP:20120206T045144 LAST-MODIFIED:20120206T045413 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20120316T120000 UID:extension.uiuc.edu/event-15209 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED SUMMARY:GAPs - Good Agricultural Practices for Safer Fresh Produce DESCRIPTION:Food safety begins on the farm. For fresh fruit and vegetable producers\, food safety is particularly important because most of the fresh produce they grow is eaten raw. Recent produce-associated foodborne illness outbreaks have heightened public awareness of produce food safety and increased the demand by fresh produce buyers to have third party auditors verify farm food safety practices. In all produce operations\, it is critical to be aware of and implement food safety practices such as Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) so that microbial risks can be minimized. A simple procedure such as hand washing is highly effective at managing pathogens on workers' hands\, but many farms do not have a written farm food safety plan or a worker training program in place. \nUniversity of Illinois Extension is teaming with University of Cornell Extension and USDA to offer "Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Workshop" from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. This offering was inspired by the desire to keep fresh fruit and vegetable producers in Illinois competitive in the marketplace. The increasing focus on GAPs and third party audit requirements are being used by the retail and the food service industry to identify growers who have implemented GAPs and have a verified farm food safety plan. This program will provide an overview of GAPs (produce safety issues and impacts)\, vegetable retailer presentation on concerns about food safety\, good handling practices\, food defense protocols in the food chain\, self-auditing farms for food safety\, crisis and risk management\, and writing a food safety plan.\nCost per participant is $30 and $25 for an additional farm/family member\, (sharing the curriculum). Pre-registration is required by March 12\, 2012. Lunch and light refreshments will be provided. To register\, go to http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lms/  LOCATION: U of I Extension\, Sangamon County Office\, 700 S. Airport Drive\, Springfield\, IL DTSTAMP:20120201T032528 LAST-MODIFIED:20120201T032528 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR