<?xml version="1.0" encoding="windows-1252"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Illinois IGNN: Agriculture News</title><link>http://www.illinois.gov/news/</link><description>The Illinois Government News Network (IGNN) section is your online source for news from the State of Illinois. Choose from the IGNN Links on the right to locate press releases in the categories that are of interest to you, or use the search the news feature to locate specific press releases or a different topic of releases. For other media, access the Illinois Information Service (IIS) Radio page for digital radio feeds and news soundbites.</description><language>en-us</language><copyright>Copyright &#169; 2012 State of Illinois</copyright><pubDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:32:01 CST</pubDate><ttl>2</ttl><webMaster>cms.rss@illinois.gov</webMaster><lastBuildDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:32:01 CST</lastBuildDate><image>  <title>IGNN</title>  <link>http://www.illinois.gov/news/</link>  <url>http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/images/IGNN133x45.jpg</url>  <width>133</width>  <height>45</height>   </image><!-- Note: You can get the HTML version by replacing .xml to .htm --><item><title><![CDATA[Governor Proclaims Thousand Cankers Disease A Threat To Illinois' Walnut Trees]]></title><link>http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=15&#x26;RecNum=10021</link><description><![CDATA[SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Governor Pat Quinn has proclaimed Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) to be a viable threat to Illinois’ native Black Walnut tree population.  Quinn approved regulatory measures this month to restrict the movement of potentially-infested products into Illinois as a preventative measure to protect the economical and environmental well-being of Illinois’ walnut tree industry.“Illinois has 2.3 million acres of forests that may contain black walnut and be susceptible to this disease,” H.W. Devlin, Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, said.  “Though TCD currently is not known to be here, these measures were warranted to protect our state’s walnut resources.”]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 CST</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">F702DEFBC67EDB455949F46BABAB0C18</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[I Love Illinois Products Promo Begins Feb. 10 - Valentine-themed Illinois products and wine to be highlighted during contest]]></title><link>http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=15&#x26;RecNum=10004</link><description><![CDATA[SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To increase awareness about Illinois food products this Valentine’s season, the Illinois Department of Agriculture will hold its first ever “I Love Illinois Products!” contest Feb. 10 - 14.  A winner will be selected randomly each day from among the department’s Facebook and Twitter fans.  Winners will receive a Valentine-themed Illinois product and a bottle of wine.“Our hope is contests like this will raise awareness of the many great Illinois food products available to the public,” Acting Agriculture Director H.W. Devlin said. “I want to encourage consumers, whenever possible, to buy locally and support Illinois businesses.  Many of the companies taking part in this promotion also will attend our upcoming Illinois Products Expo, a department-sponsored food show March 3 - 4 in the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds, so make plans to come out and sample their offerings then, too.”]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 CST</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">D783823CC6284B929C2CD8DF2167D212</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[12 Days Of Christmas Contest Begins December 14th - Department of Agriculture encourages the public to “buy local” this holiday season]]></title><link>http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=15&#x26;RecNum=9912</link><description><![CDATA[SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to increase awareness about Illinois food products and businesses this holiday season, the Illinois Department of Agriculture will hold its first ever 12 Days of Christmas Contest from Dec. 14 - 25.  A winner will be selected randomly each day from the Department of Agriculture’s Facebook and Twitter fans.  Winners will receive an Illinois product and an assortment of cooking supplies donated by the American Egg Board.]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 CST</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">0E1422EA79781EE046484893CE0010C4</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[2012 Illinois State Fair Mega Pass Makes Great Gift This Holiday Season - Discounted Mega Pass available for $50 through Dec. 21]]></title><link>http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=15&#x26;RecNum=9891</link><description><![CDATA[SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – If you are searching for the perfect gift for your favorite thrill-seeker this holiday season, look no further. The Illinois Department of Agriculture is offering the 2012 Illinois State Fair Mega Pass at a reduced rate of $50, a $15 savings, through Wednesday, Dec. 21.]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 CST</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">ED1D136FF42CCEC596038BA1C11C8A46</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Illinois Hunters Asked to Report Sightings of Feral Swine - Population threatens wildlife and domestic livestock, damage to land, water and habitat]]></title><link>http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=15&#x26;RecNum=9841</link><description><![CDATA[SPRINGFIELD– The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are enlisting the help of Illinois hunters in efforts to track feral swine and assist in slowing the population and expanding range of the invasive animals in the state.Feral swine – often referred to as feral hogs and wild pigs – are defined as free-ranging animals that are not under domestic livestock confinement.  They are an invasive species competing with native wildlife for food resources and damaging soil through their rooting and feeding activities, increasing soil erosion and damaging crops, plants and water quality.  Feral swine also are known to carry at least 30 diseases that pose serious implications for people, pets, wildlife and livestock.]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 CST</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">300BEDD5A8A0B2F1C4BF26D3CD69CC9B</guid></item></channel></rss>
