Thursday, November 27, 2008 6:09 PM CST
New to farming? Illinois Extension offering Agronomy 101 for Landowners class online
By DENNIS BOWMAN
Every year more farmland is passed into the hands of owners with little to no actual farming experience. Understanding how to protect and manage this tremendous asset can be challenging. The agriculture industry has a unique vocabulary, “Is your Cisne silt loam receiving enough potash to maintain yields above its productivity rating?”
This winter University of Illinois Extension is offering, Agronomy 101 for Landowners, an on-line class targeted at landowners without a farming background. Participants will increase their management skills by improving their understanding of the row crop production. Participants progress at their own pace and interact with the instructor via e-mail and an online discussion board. Lessons are delivered to the participant via e-mail and can be completed at the participants own pace.
The first lesson will focus on soil types and productivity. The second lesson will address soil fertility and testing. Nitrogen, crop rotations, corn and soybeans will be covered in subsequent lessons. Dennis Bowman, University of Illinois Extension Crop Systems Educator will be the class instructor. The registration fee for the class is $45 and the deadline for sign-up is Dec. 11. Participants can register online at web.extension.uiuc.edu/champaigncenter.
‘Getting Through
Tough Financial Times’
University of Illinois Extension has launched a new Web site to help consumers cope with the economic downturn. “Getting through Tough Financial Times” will be updated as the economic situation warrants, including new issues that emerge. Go to Coles County Web site at coles.extension.uiuc.edu. You will find “Getting through Tough Financial Times” under today’s features.
“The driving idea behind this effort is to help consumers identify ways to manage their resources wisely during this financial crisis,” said Lois E. Smith, a U of I Extension consumer and family economics educator based in Edwardsville who is contributing information.
“All disciplines throughout U of I Extension have been asked to contribute to the website so there will be a wide variety of perspectives and topics covered.“
The Web site is organized around such topics as: Avoiding Money Traps, Setting Spending Priorities, Managing Your Debt, Talking with Creditors, Saving and Investing in Turbulent Times, Spend Smart/Save Smart tips, and others.
Each category is organized around common concerns and situations as well as information on how to avoid problems.
A “News” section contains updated information on timely topics related to the economic situation.
“This year many American families are experiencing tremendous economic pressures. Some have lost their homes or watched the value of their property plummet. Their savings and investments have tanked. Some have lost their job or have a job with no health insurance coverage. The rising food and energy costs as well as child care expenses and increasing college tuition, have all worked together to bring mounting economic hardships on families,” said Smith, describing the “Economic Stress on Families” topic under “News.”
“The ‘News’ section offers practical advice on how families can deal with such challenges.”
With the holidays just around the corner, another topic in “News” addresses how families can enjoy the holidays without going broke.
Dates, times, and locations of Extension workshops dealing with matters covered on the Web site are also included.
Dennis Bowman is an Extension educator, crop systems, for University of Illinois Extension.
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