OGLESBY — Continuing the nutrient loss reduction focus of its recently announced soil research partnership, Illinois Valley Community College and the University of Illinois Extension are joining with the Illinois Council on Best Management Practices (C-BMP) to sponsor a Nutrient and Cover Crop Seminar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, in Room CTC 124 of IVCC’s Peter Miller Community Technology Center.
To register for the free seminar, visit www.eventzilla.net/web/event/agriculture-retailers-training-2138852575. Lunch will be provided.
The workshop will be especially valuable for agribusiness professionals such as ag retailers, plus agronomists and farmers. Topics include “Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy” presented by Lauren Lurkins, Illinois Farm Bureau; “Consumer Demands Facing the Agriculture Industry” by Kevin Coffman, Monsanto; “Herbicide Management of Cover Crops” by Pete Fandel, Illinois C-BMP; “CCA Value and Specialties” by Luther Smith, CAE; and “Soil Health and Impact on Ag Industry” by Jim Isermann, Soil Health Partnership field manager.
The expanding partnership is further evidence of the commitment of IVCC and the Extension to build a robust agriculture program at the college. Already, students interested in pursuing agriculture careers can register now to attend IVCC two years and then make a seamless transfer to an agriculture degree program at the U of I, Illinois State University, Western Illinois University and Southern Illinois University.
IVCC recently hired Willard Mott to lead the effort to build its program. Mott is a graduate of the University of Illinois Colleges of ACES and has spent the last 11 years building a strong agriculture program at Bureau Valley High School.