News and Information:
IT'S TIME TO PREPARE ENTRIES FOR THE 2009 ILLINOIS STATE FAIR
Premium books that explain the rules and deadlines for thousands of fair contests are now available on the internet
Five books have been published, one each for the Livestock and Junior Livestock contests, the Western Horse Show, the Society Horse Show and General fair competitions.
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MAKES POSSIBLE SUMMER CONSTRUCTION OF SOIL CONSERVATION PRACTICES
Partners for Conservation Fund Program offers incentive of up to $160 an acre for planting of temporary cover
The Illinois Department of Agriculture will offer a summer construction option to encourage landowners to install erosion-reducing conservation practices.
INFORMATION ABOUT H1N1 FLU:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), no food safety issues have been identified related to the H1N1 flu virus.
ILLINOIS COMMODITY BOARDS TO ELECT NEW MEMBERS
Prospective candidates urged to start passing nominating petitions
Seats are up for election on three Illinois agricultural commodity boards.
Eligible farmers who would like to run for a three-year term on the Illinois Corn Marketing Board,
the Illinois Soybean Operating Board, or the Illinois Sheep and Wool Marketing Board can
pick-up nominating petitions.
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
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ASSISTS FARMERS MARKETS
More than $200,000 in federal funds being distributed to promote the availability of Illinois-grown produce
These funds will enable farmers markets to spread the word about the availability of locally-grown produce and help fulfill our growing demand for fresh fruits and vegetables.
CERTIFIED GROWERS AND HANDLERS OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS ELIGIBLE FOR COST-SHARE ASSISTANCE
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has obtained an additional $45,000 to reimburse growers and handlers of organic agricultural products for the cost of their USDA certification.
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO PLANT COMMUNITY GARDEN
Garden will be open to the public and located on Illinois State Fairgrounds
If you are looking for a spot to try out your green thumb, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has just the place.
LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM HAS $30B ECONOMIC STIMULUS POTENTIAL FOR ILLINOIS ECONOMY
Report of Statewide Task Force Reveals Economic Potential of local farm, food, and jobs system
Legislation filed to advance work to put Illinois-grown food on Illinois tables
A statewide task force report delivered today to the Illinois General Assembly presents a local farm-and-food development strategy that experts say could trigger $20 to $30 billion in new economic activity every year, creating thousands of new jobs while revitalizing rural communities.
COUNTY ESTIMATES FOR 2008 NOW AVAILABLE
The official estimates of acreage, yield and production of corn, soybeans and wheat for counties in Illinois for 2008 have been released by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Illinois Field Office.
SUMMER EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS 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
ILLINOIS SELECTED TO HOST INTERNATIONAL HOMELAND SECURITY TRAINING
Exercise will Test Response to Simulated Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak
The event, which will be held the week of June 16, 2009, in Wheaton, will include a two-day tabletop exercise that will simulate a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.
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 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.
ILLINOIS SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION PROGRESS REPORT AVAILABLE
The "Illinois Conservation Partnership Annual Report - 2007" details the soil and water conservation accomplishments throughout Illinois last year.
| AG LICENSE PLATE SOON-TO-BE AVAILABLE
Once 850 people have registered for the new plate, the Secretary of State's Office will start issuing the plates. The agriculture specialty plate will have a higher fee than regular plates, with the additional fee going to the Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom fund.
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APIARY NEWS IN ILLINOIS COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER
“Colony Collapse Disorder” (CCD) has been identified as a new ailment affecting honeybee colonies in many areas of the United States. The disorder can cause a sudden, large-scale die-off of the colonies’ adult bees.
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SOYBEAN RUST INFORMATION Agriculture Department stresses education in preparation for possible rust outbreak
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HEARTLAND COOKBOOK
The Bureau of Marketing and Promotion's Grown from the Heart in the Heartland Cookbook represents a collection of recipes highlighting Illinois food products.
The cookbook includes a listing of the companies represented, a map and guide to Illinois Farmer's Markets, helpful hints, healthful hints, the new USDA food pyramid, a measurement chart, information on food handling, substitutions, microwave tips, napkin folding instructions, meaningful facts about Illinois products and trivia regarding the origin of various food companies in Illinois. |
HAY AND STRAW DIRECTORY The Illinois Department of Agriculture's Hay & Straw Directory is provided as a service to hay producers and buyers. This new interactive system will allow sellers to update their own listings in our continuing effort to include all Illinois hay producers who direct market their hay. |
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.
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NEW FOOD & AGRIBUSINESS GUIDE
As a leading resource and advocate for agriculture within the state of Illinois, we have developed a new website to enhance and promote businesses which produce, process, package or are headquartered in Illinois. |
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
Illinois Products Farmer's Market, Thu, May 14, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Commodity Pavilion Admission: Free 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm c/o Kristi Kenney (217)782-0777Antique Show, May 15 - 17, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Orr Building Admission: Adults - $6.00 Children (12 & under) - Free Fri.: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm Sat.: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm Sun.: 11:00 am - 4:00 pc/o Paul Mangiaracina (217)546-7557DRAFT HORSE PULL, Sat, May 16, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, HORSE SHOW ARENA 2 PM to 9 PM c/o Mr. David Cox 618-783-8034 Rodeo, Sat, May 16, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Coliseum Admission: Adults - $8.00 Children (8 and under) - $4.00 Gates Open: 5:00 pm Rodeo Starts: 7:00 pm c/o Brian Worthington (573)253-5041Springfield Highland Games & Celtic Festival, Sat, May 16, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Infield-mile Track Admission: Adults - $10.00 Children (3 - 12) - $5.00 Family Pass - $25.00 8:00 am - 10:00 pm c/o Dale Matthews (217)793-8355Central IL Senior Celebration, Wed, May 20, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Orr Building Admission: Free 9:00 am - 2:00 pm c/o Debbie Deopere (217)787-9234Illinois Products Farmer's Market, Thu, May 21, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Foodarama Admission: Free 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm c/o Kristi Kenney (217)782-0777 DUQUOIN MIDDLE SCHOOL PROMOTION, Fri, May 22, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, GRANDSTAND
IMDA Springfield TT Motorcycle Races, May 22 - 23, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Multi-purpose Arena Admission: 5/22 - Amateurs Adults - $10.00 / Children - $5.00 Racing starts @ 5:00 pm Admission: 5/23 - Pros Adults - $25 advance / $c/o Tommra Kiesow (217)753-8866 DUQUOIN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, Sat, May 23, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, GRANDSTAND
ILLINOIS CHA / GATEWAY CHA CUTTING HORSE SHOW , May 23 - 24, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, HORSE SHOW ARENA 8 AM TO 6 PM c/o Mr. Leroy Hamann IMDA Springfield Mile Motorcycle Race, Sun, May 24, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Commodity Pavilion, Grandstand Admission: Adults - $25 advance Adults - $30 race week Children (12 & under) - $5 general Children (12 & under) - $25/$30 reserved Gates open: 9:00 amc/o Tommra Kiesow (217)753-8866Illinois Products Farmer's Market, Thu, May 28, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Commodity Pavilion Admission: Free 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm c/o Kristi Kenney (217)782-0777 Illinois Arab, Inc. Arabian Horse Show, May 28 - 31, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Coliseum Admission: Free 8:00 am - 10:00 pm c/o Russell Derango (309)365-8695SPRING HARNESS RACING, Sat, May 30, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, GRANDSTAND & MAGIC MILE 12:00 NOON TO 4:00 PM c/o Mr. John Cisna 217-522-8781 ILLINOIS QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION, May 30 - 31, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, HORSE SHOW ARENA 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM c/o Mr. Joe Glassford 618-643-3858
If you have an event you would like posted, please email the webmaster for inclusion on this website. |