ILLINOIS
April 17: A training program for those interested in becoming Pork Quality Assurance-Plus advisors will be offered April 17 in Springfield, Ill. at the IPPA office, 6411 S. 6th St. Applications for the session should be submitted either by Fax at 217-333-8286, or e-mail: rknox@uiuc.edu by April 14.

April 26: A family-friendly celebration of animal companions will be held for the third time at the University of Illinois in the Stock Pavilion in Urbana, Ill. Additional information may be viewed online at http://pets.ansci.uiuc.edu/outreach/petstravaganza.cfm
 
May 13: The first University of Illinois Extension sustainable agriculture tour will stop at the Eagle Dancer Ridge Lamas, Inc. in East Peoria, Ill. and open up discussion on raising llamas in Illinois. Registration is required at least one week in advance. Visit www.extension.uiuc.edu/smallfarm/ for more details and to register. Contact Donna Cray at 217-241-4644.

May 15: A swine reproduction conference in both English and Spanish is targeted for Spanish-speaking workers in Sycamore, Ill., sponsored by University of Illinois Extension. To register, arrange space for an exhibit, or obtain further information, contact Lois Welch at 217-333-2626, e-mail llwelch@uiuc.edu

INDIANA
April 19: Learn from 2007 Indiana Ranch Horse Assn. High Point champion John Spencer at this day-long horsemanship clinic at Windmill Junction Farm in Claypool, Ind. Contact Candice Colbert at indianaranchhorse@earthlink.net or 260-437-5370.

April 19: A new and used tack sale will begin at 6 p.m. at the Blackford County 4-H Fairgrounds in Hartford City, Ind.   Contact Debbie Black at 765-330-2015.

April 19: 4-H Shooting Sports will begin at 9 a.m. at the Farmland Conservation Club in Winchester, Ind.

April 24: Operating an Efficient Farmers’ Market will help inform market operators and vendors about Indiana’s food handling regulations, alternative payment programs, and recent trends in Boonville, Ind. at the Warrick County Fairgrounds 4-H Center. For questions and more information, contact Dennis at 765-494-9812 or jhdennis@purdue.edu

Apr. 26: Benefit Trail Ride and Chili Supper at Tippecanoe River State Park, Winamac, Ind. Door prizes, etc. Sponsored by Battle Ground Saddle Club. For details, go to: http://www.bg-sc.com/ e-mail jirwin@bg-sc.com or call 765-572-1077.

April 26: A flea market will be at the 4-H Building on the Blackford County Fairgrounds in Hartford City, Ind. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call to reserve a table at 765-330-2015.

April 26-27: 18th annual Redbud Trail Rendevous will be at the Fulton County Historical Society in Rochester, Ind. The event portrays frontier history with tepees and historic tents, camps and foods cooked over wood fires, music and dance. Call 574-223-4436 or visit www.icss.net/~fchs for more detailed information.

April 29: A pasture management workshop entitled, “Pasture Management after the Drought,” will be hosted by the Hancock County Purdue Cooperative Extension Office in Greenfield, Ind. Pre-register by calling 317-462-1113.

April 17: The Indiana Farm Sustainability Tour will make a stop in Tippecanoe County, Ind. and visit Cooley Family Farms, Juniper Spoon, Seldom Seen Farm and Two Cookin’ Sisters. To register for this event, visit http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/newventures/ or all 800-359-2968.

May 3: The Community Farmers’ Market of Owen County kicks off in May and will run through Oct. 25. Local farmers, gardeners and artisans are invited to showcase produce, arts and crafts every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon in Spencer, Ind. Interested vendors should contact Gwen Dieter at 812-829-2605 or visit www.owenswcd.org

May 4: A fun horse show will be at the Circle-X Ranch in Winchester, Ind. at 10 a.m. For class information, contact Larry Cline at 765-768-6467.

May 10-11: Seven central Indiana wineries will compete in The Race into the Wineries event from noon-6pm, for visitors to enjoy different festivities, track food and wines across the state. Participating wineries include Buck Creek Winery (Indianapolis, Ind.), Chateau Thomas Winery (Plainfield, Ind.), Easley Winery (Indianapolis, Ind.), Ferrin’s Fruit Winery (Carmel, Ind.), Grape Inspirations Winery (Carmel, Ind.), Mallow Run Winery (Bargersville, Ind.), and Simmons Winery (Columbus, Ind.). For more information, please call 1-888-VINO-INDY (888-846-6463) or visit the website at: www.indywinetrail.com

May 12: Operating an Efficient Farmers’ Market will help inform market operators and vendors about Indiana’s food handling regulations, alternative payment programs, and recent trends in Greencastle, Ind. at the Putnam County Fairgrounds, Harris Hall. For questions and more information, contact Dennis at 765-494-9812 or jhdennis@purdue.edu

May 15: The Indiana Farm Sustainability Tour will make an appearance in Vermillion County, Ind. and visit Royer Farm Fresh Beef, Lamb and Pork. To register, visit www.agecon.purdue.edu/newventures/ or all 800-359-2968.

May 16: Operating an Efficient Farmers’ Market will help inform market operators and vendors about Indiana’s food handling regulations, alternative payment programs, and recent trends in Bedford, Ind. at the Purdue Extension office in Lawrence County. For questions and more information, contact Dennis at 765-494-9812 or jhdennis@purdue.edu

May 17-18: The first Indiana Ranch Horse Assn. show of the year will be held at the Henry County Saddle Club in New Castle, Ind. The family-friendly competition includes conformation, performance, speed, and cattle classes. Contact Candice Colbert at indianaranchhorse@earthlink.net or 260-437-5370.

OHIO
April 22: Ohio State University will sponsor the first annual Scarlet, Gray and Green Fair on Earth Day in Wooster, Ohio. For details and to register, contact Megan Shoenfelt at 330-202-3537, shoenfelt.9@osu.edu, or download a registration form at www.wcsen.org/wcsggf

April 26: The 2008 Mid-Ohio Valley Agriculture Opportunities conference will take place at Washington State Community College in Marietta, Ohio. For more information on the conference, contact Eric Barrett at 740-376-7431 or e-mail barrett.90@osu.edu

Editor’s Note: Coming Events is a free listing. The material presented is a cross-section of activities about which we know. Placement in Coming Events is on a space available basis and is up to the discretion of the Farm World staff.