Events and Activities : Meterologist Craig Johnson featured at Crop Conference January 30

Craig Johnson, meteorologist and Executive Director of the Iowa Academy of Science, will be the lead-off speaker at the Iowa State University Extension Crop Advantage Series at 9:00 a.m. on January 30 at the Highlander Conference Center in Iowa City. Johnson will address the topic, “Iowa’s Weather: Past, Present, and Future.” Also featured at the conference are topics on making fertilizer decisions after the drought, and corn rootworm management strategies.

The conference is one of 13 scheduled around the state, where crop producers can choose among a variety of topics, including pest management, cover crops, bio-energy crops, soil fertility, and grain marketing. “Each year attendees tell me they wish there were more breakout sessions during the day. They are interested in so many of the topics and can’t be at every workshop. The topics are in demand. It’s a great problem to have,” says Jim Fawcett, ISU Extension field agronomist in eastern Iowa.

Certified crop advisors can earn up to 5 credits at the conference in Iowa City and private pesticide applicators can become re-certified. Advance registration for each location is $35 and includes workshop materials, lunch, and refreshments. An additional fee is charged for CCA credits and private pesticide applicator recertification. Registration less than one week prior to the meeting or at the door is $45. Another site in eastern Iowa for the conference is at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo on January 24. Registration materials for all sites are available at www.cropadvantage.org or from your local ISU Extension office.