Attend double-crop forum

The Illinois Wheat Association and Illinois Soybean Association will be hosting the Double Crop Farmers Forum on Feb. 8 in Mount Vernon at the DoubleTree by Hilton.

“The 2022 double-crop forum by IWA will offer producers a chance to learn and ask questions of top specialists across a variety of topics, covering the latest production tips, cutting-edge field practices and market outlooks,” says Mike Doherty, IWA executive director.

The following topics will be covered at the forum:

Registration will occur on-site beginning at 7:30 a.m. The fee is $25 for IWA members and $40 for non-members.

Visit the IWA website for more information and a schedule.

NREC leaders elected

In December, the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council held its board meeting to recognize new board members and elect new officers.

The following new board members were seated:

Matt Duncan was also elected as the NREC executive committee vice chairman. Duncan joins Jeff Kirwan, chairman; Don Guinnip, treasurer; and Chuck Cawley, secretary.

Access weed control guide

Looking to refresh your weed control and herbicide strategies for corn, soybeans, small grains and forage? Look no further — the 2022 Weed Control Guide for Ohio, Indiana and Illinois is now available.

The 232-page guide shares weed management information and recommendations for problem weed species. Plus, there’s weed response ratings for corn and soybean herbicides.

To order in print or PDF format, visit the Ohio State University website.

Brush up on forest management

Have you purchased forested land within the last 10 years, but aren’t sure how to maintain it? Consider applying for the Southern Illinois Beginning Forest Landowner Program.

Chris Evans, University of Illinois forestry research specialist, was awarded a three-year grant as part of the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. This grant will allow Evans and other forestry experts to educate 20 to 25 southern Illinois landowners each year about forestry practices and management.

“We’re giving landowners tools to understand the science behind forest management,” Evans says. “So, if they do want to manage their forests, they’re just not going to go and indiscriminately cut trees. Instead, they’ll understand there’s a methodology to improving your forest over time.”

The program will include traditional instruction as hands-on opportunities, he adds.

Program applicants should be landowners who reside south of Interstate 64 and have bought forested land within the last 10 years. But if you’re a landowner who purchased forested property over a decade ago and haven’t participated in active forest management, then you can still apply.

The year-long program will begin midspring and is $50. To learn more and apply, visit the U of I website.

Grants fund rural America

Recently, Compeer Financial awarded over $199,000 in general use grants to 34 organizations in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. This grant program is part of the company’s giving program, Fund for Rural America.

Compeer Financial reports that 24% of the grants awarded will directly impact farmers, 26% will support agriculture education, and 32% will focus on food insecurity.

The following organizations throughout Illinois are being awarded as part of the grant program:

The General Use Grant program began in 2018, and since then over $1.6 million has been awarded through 301 grants. The grant will be offered again in May to provide financial support this summer.

Sign up for CRP

From now until March 11, agricultural producers and landowners can sign up for the general Conservation Reserve Program . Additionally, Grassland CRP sign-up will be available April 4 through May 13. The USDA Farm Service Agency manages both programs.

Farmers enrolled in CRP agree to remove areas of land from production agriculture and plant species such as approved grasses and trees to improve environmental quality and health. As a result of these 10- to 15-year CRP contracts, farmers will receive a yearly rental payment.

General CRP helps producers establish plant species to control soil erosion, enhance water quality and improve wildlife habitats. Grassland CRP helps landowners protect grassland such as pastureland and rangeland while maintaining the land area as working grazing land.

Interested in CRP? To learn more and apply, contact your local USDA Service Center.