Registration open for annual MOSES conference

The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, or MOSES, is hosting its 30th annual Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wis., Feb. 21-23.

It features 60 workshops, Organic University classes and a two-floor exhibit hall with more than 170 vendors. The early-bird rate for a full conference ticket is $205, which is $20 off the regular price and $95 off the door price through Jan. 8.

The 2019 Organic University is scheduled for Feb. 21, just prior to the MOSES conference. Nine in-depth classes taught by experienced farmers, researchers and ag professionals will provide deeper content than the following workshops, and will give farmers the chance to get answers for their specific farm situations.

Details about workshops, keynotes and more are on the conference website, mosesorganic.org/conference.

ISA kicks off 2019 Better Beans Series

The Illinois Soybean Association is getting ready for a series of half-day events featuring local certified crop adviser Soy Envoys, agronomists, industry experts and farmers sharing their insights on everything from weed management and fertility to best management practices and choosing varieties that best fit your farm.

The Better Beans Series is focused on providing growers the tools they need to improve profitability and achieve high yields. Registration is open for the following events, all of which start at 7 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.:

• Jan. 16. Bretz Wildlife Lodge and Winery, 15469 IL-127, Carlyle, IL 62231
• Jan. 17. Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford, IL 61107
• Feb. 13. Holiday Inn Quincy, 4821 Oak St., Quincy, IL 62305
• Feb. 19. Holiday Inn and Suites East Peoria, 101 Holiday St., East Peoria, IL 61611
• Feb. 21. I Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 South First St., Champaign, IL 61820

You can register for any of the events online.

Dicamba certification offered at upcoming crop clinics

Last week, U.S. EPA sent additional guidance to state departments of agriculture emphasizing that anyone who applies or mixes dicamba for application to soybeans must be a certified applicator.

No one can perform these activities under the supervision of a certified applicator — you must be a certified applicator. To be a certified applicator in Illinois to apply dicamba in the commercial sector, you must take and pass both the General Standards Exam and the Field Crop Exam. 

As of this week, here is the status of the available field crop clinics:

• Dec. 20 in Mount Vernon: full (150 signed up)
• Jan. 8 in Champaign: full (400 signed up)
• Jan. 16 in Peoria: full (350 signed up)
• Feb. 8 in Jacksonville: full (200 signed up)

There are still seats available at these field crop clinics:

• Jan. 18 in Utica: 30 signed up, can hold up to 250
• Jan. 25 in Carterville: 22 signed up, can hold up to 150
• Jan. 29 at IFCA convention in Peoria: 40 signed up, can hold up to 300
• Feb. 11 in Champaign: 71 signed up, can hold up to 400

If you want to sign up for the class at the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association convention, call the office at 309-827-2774. For all other classes, go online or call the University of Illinois Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program at 800-644-2123.