Better Farming Knowledge Programs

Monday, December 29, 2025

Illinois Extension has released its full winter agricultural education schedule, offering in-person and online programs to strengthen skills in livestock, crop management, safety training, horticulture, specialty crops, and environmental care.

LIVESTOCK PROGRAMS

Jan 22–23: Driftless Region Beef Conference, Dubuque IA
Feb 3–26: Certified Livestock Manager Training (Effingham, Breese, Pittsfield, Bloomington, Freeport, Sycamore, Monmouth and online)
Feb 19: Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale, Springfield

FARM MANAGEMENT AND CROPS

Jan 12–Feb 24: Illinois Agronomy Summits

Peoria Jan 12, Fairfield Jan 22, Freeport Jan 28, Waterloo Feb 3, Oglesby Feb 5, Joliet Feb 10, Springfield Feb 17, Marshall Feb 24
Mar 1–Apr 30: Online Crop Management Conference

March 2, June 30, Aug 25: Focus on the Future Farm Legacy Meetings

PESTICIDE SAFETY

Dec 11–Apr 8: Pesticide Safety Education Program
Private Clinics: Champaign Dec 11, Effingham Dec 18, Carterville Jan 6, Rock Island Jan 20, Springfield Feb 10, Quincy Feb 11, Collinsville Feb 17, Peoria Feb 25, Rockford Mar 10
Commercial Clinics: Champaign Dec 15–16, Mount Vernon Jan 7–8, Springfield Jan 12–13, Tinley Park Jan 27–28, Collinsville Feb 18–19, Peoria Feb 23–24, Mount Vernon Mar 3, Rockford Mar 11–12, Skokie Mar 31–Apr 1, Crystal Lake Apr 7–8

SPECIALTY CROPS

Jan 28–30: From Food to Flowers Conference, Springfield
Feb 10: Forming an LLC Webinar
Feb 11: Southern Illinois Fruit and Vegetable School, Mt Vernon
Feb 12: Commercial Tree Fruit School, Hardin
Feb 16: Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Rockford

ENVIRONMENT

March 4: Gateway Green Conference, Collinsville
March–May: Everyday Environment Online Series

Learn more: go.illinois.edu/EverydayEnvironment

HORTICULTURE

Jan 13–Feb 17: Community Tree Care Webinars

These winter programs help improve knowledge in crop production, livestock management, pest safety, tree care, specialty crops, and environmental protection while supporting safer, smarter agricultural practices.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave