Drainage workshops cover innovations, law and more    

[DEC. 6, 2004]  URBANA -- Basic drainage design, new design information, drainage law and working with a contractor are among the host of topics that will be addressed at the 2005 Illinois Regional "What's New in Drainage?" workshops early next year.

Four regional seminars will be conducted across the state in February, with speakers from the University of Illinois discussing a variety of topics, including these:

• "Drainage Concepts," with Bill Simmons, associate professor in soil and water management. Simmons will focus on the effects of subsurface and surface drainage on production and the ecosystem.

• "Principles of Conservation Drainage," with Richard Cooke, associate professor in agricultural and biological engineering. Cooke's research has focused on the effect that tile depth and spacing has on drainage performance and the transport of nitrates. Cook will also introduce the newly revised, Web-based "Illinois Drainage Guide."

• "Constituents of Tile Water," with Mike Hirschi, professor in agricultural and biological engineering. Hirschi will discuss ways to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous loss through drainage management.

There will also be discussions on drainage law and new technologies, as well as a contractor's panel that will discuss local issues and provide an installer's perspective on drainage systems.

The seminars run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with registration beginning at 8 a.m. A registration fee of $25 is due one week before each meeting and includes a noon luncheon and take-home materials.

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Dates, locations and contact information for each seminar:

• Feb. 14, 2005 -- Bremer (DACC) Convention Center, Danville. Send registrations to U of I Extension - Vermilion County, 25 East Liberty Lane, Suite A, Danville, IL 61832. Phone [phone].

• Feb. 15, 2005 -- Center for Agriculture, Sycamore. Send registrations to U of I Extension - DeKalb County, 1350 West Prairie Drive, Sycamore, IL 60178. Phone [phone].

• Feb. 17, 2005 -- Ty's Buffet, Olney. Send registrations to U of I Extension - Richland Unit, P.O. Box 130, Olney, IL 62450. Phone [phone] or [phone].

• Feb. 18, 2005 -- Knox Agri Center, Galesburg. Send registrations to U of I Extension - Knox County, 180 South Soangetaha Road, Suite 108, Galesburg, IL 61401. Phone [phone].

For more information, call Stanley Solomon, U of I Extension engineering technology educator at the East Peoria Extension Center, at [phone], ext. 223, or e-mail him at [e-mail]. You may also contact your local U of I Extension office.

[University of Illinois news release]

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