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Extension
plans sessions
on field crop scouting
[AUG.
28, 2000]
The
Logan County Extension Office has had a continuing program on field
crop scouting since 1991. The program is available to anyone
interested in learning more about crop production in the central
Illinois area. The goal is to provide a framework for educational
programs relating to crop scouting, crop growth and development, and
other related topics.
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The
program participants volunteer their farms for a few hours in the
morning every other week to provide an "outdoor
classroom." Most of the sessions have about an hour of
classroom instruction, and the remainder of the time is spent
looking at the fields for insects, diseases, weeds and crop
development. Instructors are mainly staff and educators from
University of Illinois Extension, but also include personnel from
USDA Natural Resources, and of course the participants do quite a
bit of problem solving for each other.
One
of the additions beginning three years ago was to offer CCA
continuing education credits for the series of workshops. These are
credits toward recertification of participants designated
"Certified Crop Consultants" through the American Society
of Agronomy program. This has been of great benefit to those
participants needing the credits. Both agriculture industry
individuals and some farmers carry the certification these days.
Some
of the program topics in the past two years have included global
positioning ─ a mapping demonstration for scouting weeds;
European corn borer overwintering potential; digital distance
diagnostics demonstration; plot review of C-Far cooperative plots
located at the Hartsburg Field; plot review of nitrogen rate and
manure application plots at the Hartsburg Field; soil compaction and
methods of determining levels; micronutrient deficiencies in crops;
and best management practices to affect water quality.
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Plans
are under way for the 2001-2002 series. Sessions will begin in
mid-May and continue roughly every other week through July. If you
are interested in participating in and/or hosting a session, please
contact the Extension Office at 732-8289.
Upcoming events of note
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The
Farm Service Agency will have their information meetings on the
LDP and loan programs Aug. 29 at 1:30 p.m., Aug. 31 at 9 a.m.
and Sept. 5 at 7:30 a.m. All sessions will be at the Lincoln Rec
Center Ballroom.
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The
Logan County Extension/State Bank of Lincoln Commercial Corn
Plot Field Day will be Wednesday, Sept. 6, from 11 a.m. until
1:30 p.m. The event will be at the Fort Trust Farms on Route 10
about two miles west of Beason. Mark Fricke of the FSA office
will speak at 11:30 a.m. about farm programs, and a dinner will
be served. If you plan to attend, please contact the State Bank
or Logan County Extension to allow for meal preparation.
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Logan
County Extension is planning an open house at the new facility
on Sept. 11 from 3 to 7 p.m. The facility is located on the
northwest corner of the Logan County Fairgrounds, with access
from Postville Road.
[John
Fulton]
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 Over
the next two years, class members will attend 14 seminars focusing
on current social, political and economics issues. The first year's
curriculum includes a 10-day national travel seminar to Washington,
D.C. and one other region of the United States. A 14-day
international studying experience is the highlight of the second
year of the program.
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The
mission of the IALP is to develop knowledgeable and effective
spokespersons to become policy and decision makers for the
agricultural industry. The IALP is designed for individuals involved
in agriculture who have demonstrated leadership ability and
potential.
Ahrends
is the advertising manager and agricultural writer for Lincolndailynews.com.
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