NATIONAL
Dec. 19: The Iowa Soybean Association will host Seasons of Soy Workshop at the Gateway Conference Center in Ames, Iowa. Reservations can by made by contacting Sue Heath at 515-251-8640.

Jan. 11-14: American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention and meeting will take place in San Antonio, Texas at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. If you have questions, contact Tracy Taylor Grondine at 202-406-3642 tracyg@fb.org

ILLINOIS
Dec. 18: The Illinois Farm Economics Summit will take place in Galesburg, Ill. at the Best Western Prairie Inn. The program begins at 8 a.m. and concludes by 3 p.m. Registration may be completed online (www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu). Registration brochures are also available at local University of Illinois Extension offices.

Dec. 19: The Illinois Farm Economics Summit will take place in Galesburg, Ill. at the Best Western Prairie Inn – Sycamore, Center for Agriculture. Registration may be completed online (http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu). Registration brochures are also available at local University of Illinois Extension offices.

Jan. 6: The University of Illinois Corn and Soybean Classic will address essential issues in crop production, pest management and economics in Mt. Vernon, Ill. at the Holiday Inn. Online registration is available at www.ipm.uiuc.edu/conferences or call 800-321-1296.

Jan. 7: A Certified Livestock Manager Training workshop will take place in Harrisburg, Ill. Topics include manure management, carcass disposal and odor management. More information is available at www.livestocktraining.com or call 217-333-2611; clmt@illinois.edu

Jan. 7: The University of Illinois Corn and Soybean Classic will address essential issues in crop production, pest management and economics in Champaign, Ill. at the I Hotel and Conference Center. Online registration is available at www.ipm.uiuc.edu/conferences or call 800-321-1296.

Jan. 7-10: Illinois Specialty Crops and Agritourism Conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield, Ill. Contact Diane Handley at 309-557-2107; handley@ilfb.org

Jan. 8: Illinois Dairy Days will present “Economic Expectations” in El Paso, Ill. at the Community Center. Topics to be covered include: feeding challenges with today’s milk prices, managing the replacement herd and evaluating economic alternatives. For further details, contact a local Illinois Extension office.

Jan. 12: The University of Illinois Corn and Soybean Classic will address essential issues in crop production, pest management and economics in Bloomington, Ill. at the Interstate Center. Online registration is available at www.ipm.uiuc.edu/conferences or call 800-321-1296.

Jan. 9: Illinois Dairy Days will present “Economic Expectations” in Arthur, Ill. at Yoder’s Country Kitchen. Topics to be covered include: feeding challenges with today’s milk prices, managing the replacement herd and evaluating economic alternatives. For details, contact an Illinois Extension office.

INDIANA
Jan. 6: Illiana Vegetable Growers’ School will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CST) at Teibel’s Restaurant in Schererville, Ind. Preregistration is due by Dec. 28. For more information visit www.hort.purdue.edu/fruitveg/events/events.shtml Individuals also can call 219-755-3240 or 219-785-5673.

Jan. 8: The Growing for Market series covers topics from farmers’ markets and customer satisfaction to management issues and establishing new markets. The program is offered via Interactive Adobe Connect at 15 sites around Indiana. The program will continue for five consecutive Thursday evenings. A brochure is available at www.extension.purdue.edu/Hancock/09
GrowingForMarketBrochure.pdf or contact Roy Ballard at 317-462-1113.

Jan. 9-10: The Indiana Beekeeping School, Inc., presents its annual Beginning Beekeepers Class in Indianapolis, Ind., Terre Haute, Ind., Nashville, Ind., and Fort Wayne, Ind. Information and online registration is available at www.IndianaBeekeepingSchool.com or by e-mailing keeper@IndianaBeekeepingSchool.com

KENTUCKY
Dec. 18: The 2008 Western Kentucky Farm Biofuels Conference will take place at the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton, Ky. Lunch is included for those who register by Dec. 14. For reservations or directions call Mike Smith at the Henderson County office, 270-826-8387, Susan Fox at the Lyon County office 270-388-2341, McNeill at the UKREC 270-365-7541, ext 213.

Jan. 5-6: The University of Kentucky will host a joint meeting of the Kentucky State Horticulture Society, the Kentucky Vegetable Growers Association, the Kentucky Farmers’ Market Association and the Kentucky Grape and Wine Short Course at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Lexington, Ky. For more information, contact Mary Ann Kelley at 270-365-7541, ext. 216. The conference program is also available online at www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/meetings.html

Jan. 6: The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture will offer sheep and goat producers an opportunity to learn more about grazing at the Fayette County Cooperative Extension office in Lexington, Ky. Mail registration to UK Robinson Station, Attn: Jackie Allen, 130 Robinson Road, Jackson, KY 41339.

OHIO
Jan. 12: West Ohio Agronomy Day will take place in Sidney, Ohio at the Ohio American Legion Hall located on Fourth Avenue. Earn private and commercial pesticide applicator credits as well as CCA credits. Visit http://shelby.osu.edu, e-mail Ohio State University Extension Agricultural Professional Roger Bender at bender.5@cfaes.osu.edu, or call 937.498.7239 for registration information.

MICHIGAN
Dec. 18: “Healthy Hooves: No Lame Excuses!” workshop organized by the Michigan State University Extension Dairy Team will address many of the common questions that producers have about hoof health at the Polkton Township Hall in Coopersville, Mich. Contact Bill Robb at 616-846-8250.

LOOKING AHEAD
Jan. 14: Illinois Dairy Days will present “Economic Expectations” in Okawville, Ill. at the Community Club Building. Topics include: feeding challenges with today’s milk prices, managing the replacement herd and evaluating economic alternatives. For further details, contact a local Illinois Extension office.

Jan. 14: The University of Illinois Corn and Soybean Classic will address issues in crop production, pest management and economics in Moline, Ill. at the I Wireless Center. Online registration is available at www.ipm.uiuc.edu/conferences or call 800-321-1296,

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.