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News and Information:
The Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for qualified individuals who are interested in summer employment. Please download a copy of the summer application form. Completed form should be sent to Human Resource Office, IL Dept. of Agriculture, State Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281, Springfield, IL 62794-9281 OR DuQuoin State Fair, 655 Executive Drive, DuQuoin, IL 62832
ILLINOIS FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS TO MEET WITH WHOLESALE BUYERS AT ILLINOIS SPECIALTY GROWERS CONFERENCE Chicago Public Schools, Goodness Greeness, SYSCO and Whole Foods Market buyers set to "Meet the Growers" The Illinois Department of Agriculture, through a USDA Specialty Crops Block Grant, has funded FamilyFarmed.org, an Illinois non-profit organization, to facilitate meetings between large produce buyers and growers to help build a stronger local food system. CERTIFIED LIVESTOCK MANAGER TRAINING WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED The Certified Livestock Manager Training workshops will be held Dec. 15, 2009, through March 9, 2010. The curriculum has been updated to reflect the latest industry practices and offer new information to producers who may have completed the training before and are renewing their certification. ILLINOIS FARMERS ADVISED TO USE PROPER GRAIN STORAGE PRACTICES Cool, wet weather has increased the risk of mold development The concentration of mycotoxins that animals can tolerate varies according to the species and its age. Therefore, it is advised that livestock producers, dairy farmers and horse owners consult their veterinarian or local Extension office before starting a feeding program and to consider testing their feed grain. IDOA TRADE MISSIONS AID ILLINOIS' LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY Sales from events the past three months alone total nearly $500,000 These sales could not have come at a better time because our livestock industry is suffering through an economic crisis. Now, the challenge is to turn these sales into repeat business that will help insulate the industry against future economic slowdowns. ORAL HISTORY OF ILLINOIS AGRICULTURE WEBSITE LAUNCHED Features 300 hours of audio and video interviews with more than 130 people Anyone with a computer can now see and hear the history of Illinois agriculture told by the people who lived it. CONSERVATION IS KING IDOA study finds Illinois farmers are switching from conventional tillage methods to practices that preserve soil and protect the environment According to the 2009 Illinois Soil Erosion and Crop Tillage Transect Survey, nearly half (49.9 percent) of the state's cropland was farmed with a conservation tillage system this year. ILLINOIS AWARDED SPECIALTY CROP GRANTS Funds will expand the availability of fresh, locally-grown produce and strengthen state's specialty crop industry Illinois has been awarded more than $435,000 through the United States Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm Bill. GOVERNOR QUINN'S REQUEST FOR AGRICULTURAL DISASTER DECLARATION APPROVED Declaration will assist farmers in 88 Illinois counties Governor Pat Quinn announced federal disaster assistance is available to help Illinois farmers who suffered crop losses because of excessive rain and flooding this year. IDOA LAUNCHES PILOT PROGRAM FOR GRAIN ELEVATORS The Grain Inventory Accountability Pilot Program is intended to produce a more accurate accounting of both the quality and quantity of stored grain. NEW ANHYDROUS AMMONIA SAFETY VIDEO AVAILABLE Because of the potentially hazardous nature of anhydrous ammonia, the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (IFCA) and Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) have produced a 12-minute video outlining the proper safety procedures that famers should take each and every time they handle the product. watch the Video MYCOTOXIN SURVEY Every year the Illinois Department of Agriculture conducts mycotoxin surveys on corn to make sure it is safe for livestock feed. Department inspectors collect four corn samples per county, where possible, and send them to the Department's chemistry laboratory at the Illinois Department of Agriculture building in Springfield. The samples are analyzed for aflatoxin and fumonisin, two toxins that can be harmful to animals if feed contains high levels of either. Linked are state maps that show the county and levels of aflatoxin, vomitoxin and fumonisin found in the corn samples analyzed so far this year. If you live in an area that shows high levels of either toxin and you are a livestock feeder, the Department recommends that the corn used in your feed ration be tested for these toxins.
NURSERY PROGRAM NOW ON-LINE The nursery program inspection staff of the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Environmental Programs inspects and certifies nearly 1,200 nurseries in Illinois each year.
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE STARTS WORK ON ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM First step is to identify every premise that handles livestock and poultry  In an ongoing effort to ensure safety in the food supply, the state Department of Agriculture has begun the difficult, but important task of identifying every farm, feedlot, sales barn and slaughter facility in Illinois that handles food animals. Register On-line
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Agriculture Events
Central IL Indoor Car and Truck Sale, Jan 27 - Feb 8, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Orr BuildingAdmission: Free Mon. - Sat.: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Sun.: Closed c/o Chris Tate (217)544-0771 E3 SPARK PLUGS MONSTER TRUCK NATIONALS, Feb 12 - 13, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS CENTER$20.00/Adults $10.00/Child (2-12) Friday (2/12) 7:30 PM Saturday (2/13) 2:00 PM Saturday (2/13) 7:30 PM Please Visit MonsterNationals.com for advance ticket pricing317-236-6515 SPORTSMAN SHOW, Feb 13 - 14, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, EXPO HALL Christian Motorcycle Assoc. Seasons of Refreshing, WSEC Fun Time Station, SAHBA 2010 Home Expo, MOTORCROSS/ARENACROSS RACE, Giant Flea Market, Illinois Beef Expo, TRACTOR AND TRUCK PULL, Boat Show,
If you have an event you would like posted, please email the webmaster for inclusion on this website. |
MISS MENARD COUNTY CROWNED 2010 MISS ILLINOIS COUNTY FAIR 
APIARY NEWS IN ILLINOIS COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER
HEARTLAND COOKBOOK
HAY AND STRAW DIRECTORY
| Questions or comments. |
State of Illinois Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 19281, State Fairgrounds
Springfield, IL 62794-9281
(217) 782-2172
(217) 524-6858 TTY
The Department of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity Employer