Nomination period opening for Farm Service panels
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Farmers and landowners are being urged to take part in nominating USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee candidates. Election information and the nomination form are being sent out to eligible voters in counties. The form is also available online at www.fas.usda.gov/elections

The nomination period continues through close of business Aug. 1, and elections will take place in the fall. Newly elected Committee members and alternates take office on Jan. 2, 2012.

FSA county committees make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other agricultural issues.

Candidates announced for Illinois commodity boards
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Candidates for three state commodity boards have been announced, and producers of corn, soybeans and wool can vote July 6 at county extension offices.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced the candidates and Agriculture Director Tom Jennings encourages producers to vote because board decisions affect the commodities industry.

Candidates for the Illinois Corn Marketing Board are Glenn Ginder of Peotone, James Rapp of Princeton, William Christ of Metamora, William Long of Franklin and Donald Duvall of Carmi.

Candidates for the Sheep and Wool Marketing Board are Barb Hintzche of Rochelle, Helen Hettinger of Eureka and Carl Dillow of Anna.
Candidates for the Soybean Program Operating Board are Dan Farney of Morton, Michael Marron of Fithian, Tim Seifert of Auburn, Mark Sprague of Hull and Gary Berg of St. Elmo.

Illinoisan of the Day recognizes dedicated community servants
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois State Fair Museum Foundation is seeking 10 individuals to spotlight as an Illinoisan of the Day. The program looks to honor individuals who make a difference in their community and show a true Illinois spirit through hard work and a dedication to helping others.

Illinoisan of the Day winners will receive honors on their special day during this year’s Illinois State Fair, Aug. 12-21. Nomination forms may be requested by calling the Museum Foundation at 866-996-1853 or downloaded by visiting the museum foundation website at www.statefairmuseum.org

All nominees must currently reside in the state of Illinois. The deadline for nominations is June 15. Illinoisan of the Day winners will be contacted by phone and announced at the Illinois State Fair Museum Foundation’s annual Corndog Kickoff on July 16, at the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Stamina F3 treatment receives EPA registration
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Stamina F3 Cereals fungicide seed treatment has received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration for seed treatment use on small grains, including wheat, barley, rye, oats and triticale.

Stamina F3 delivers the benefits of three active ingredients that work together to provide broad-spectrum seed and seedling disease control in small grains. These three active ingredients, F500, triticonazole and metalaxyl, have proven performance as shown in BASF’s current Crop Protection Solutions and SeedSolutions offerings.

Illinois State Fair contest info now available on the Web
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Premium books for the 2011 Illinois State Fair are now available online. The books include the rules, entry forms and prizes for the fair’s more than 8,700 competitive events, ranging from livestock competitions to the tastiest breakfast on a stick, to the best bocce ball team.

The five books, one each for the Livestock and Junior Livestock contests, the Western Horse Show, the Society Horse Show and General fair competitions, can be found at www.illinoisstatefair.info – just click on the “Competitions” tab.
Livestock, Junior Livestock, Western Horse Show and Society Horse Show entries should be sent to the Illinois State Fair no later than July 1. For most other fair contests, including the culinary, floriculture and textile contests, the entry deadline is July 15.

Print copies of the premium books are available upon request; to obtain one, call Durinda Kirby at 217-782-0786. The 2011 Illinois State Fair will be Aug. 12-21.