EXTENSION CONNECTIONS

Transcription

1 EXTENSION CONNECTIONS Making life healthier, safer & more prosperous for our communities. March - April 2014 University of Illinois Extension serving Christian, Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery Counties Unit 18 Montgomery County Main Office #1 Industrial Park Dr. Hillsboro, IL Phone: FAX: Hours: Monday Friday 8:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Christian County Branch Office 1120 N. Webster St. Taylorville, IL Phone: FAX: Hours: Monday Friday 8:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. & 12:30 4:30 p.m. Jersey County Branch Office 200 North Lafayette, Suite 6, 2nd Floor Jerseyville, IL Phone: FAX: Hours: Monday & Wed. 8:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 4:30 p.m. Macoupin County Branch Office #60 Carlinville Plaza Carlinville, IL Phone: FAX: Hours: Mon. Thurs, 8:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 4:30 p.m. University of Illinois Extension Unit 18 is sponsoring a workshop on Saturday April 5, 2014 from 8:30 A.M. to 1 P.M. at Lincoln Land Community College in Litchfield, IL. The workshop will focus on a variety of topics to help people who have a few acres learn ways that to put them to use. The cost is: $10 for student, $30 per person, or $40 per couple. Agenda: Breakout Session I (Choose one) Value Added Products, Finding Your Niche Getting the Most of Your Season with High Tunnels Business Planning -What to consider before starting Breakout Session II (Choose one) Sheep & Goat Production Rotational Grazing Savor the Flavor of Culinary Herbs Breakout Session III (Choose one) Growing, Harvesting & Marketing Herbs Small Fruit Production Organic Beef Production Register on-line at: or call the Extension at University of Illinois / U.S. Department of Agriculture / Local Extension Councils Cooperating University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

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3 Macoupin County U.S. President s Night April 14, p.m. Location Pending on Participant Numbers, Carlinville Each club will give a 5-10 minute presentation on their choice of a U.S. president. After all clubs have presented, please join us for refreshments. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the University of Illinois Extension Office at UNIT 18 HCE WINTER RETREAT - Home & Community Education University of Illinois Extension, Unit 18, is providing an all day winter retreat for the HCE ladies in the unit. This event will take place at the Hillsboro extension office on April 8, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Please join us for a fun-filled day of crafting, round table discussions, and idea sharing with members from Jersey, Macoupin, and Christian counties. Lunch will be provided by Jersey County JCE ladies. Peggy Hampton will be presenting the "Real Colors" program. Don't miss out! Lunch will be served by the Jersey County HCE Ladies. The only professional organization for homemakers Extension Connections April-May Page 3Page 3

4 4-H DAY WITH THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS Spend May 17 in St. Louis at 4-H Day with the Cardinals Someday the snow will end and children, young and old, will return to the ball diamonds. Don t miss your chance to party with the St. Louis Cardinals at this year s 4-H DAY WITH THE CARDINALS, Saturday, May 17. The Cardinals will play the Atlanta Braves, beginning at 1:15 in Busch Stadium. But, the fun begins even before then! 4-H members and their parents and leaders are invited to parade ON THE BALL FIELD before the game that s right, you ll be able to walk around the diamond, watch the players warm up, and may even be lucky enough to get some autographs from the players! Ticket forms are available from the local Extension office, but don t wait long. Tickets usually sell out long before the April 7 deadline. Do it today! All participants receive a commemorative t-shirt along with their ticket for $25 each. There s even a chance for you to be selected to throw out the first pitch of the game, get an autographed baseball, win free tickets for future games, or win other great prizes. Batting practice begins at 10:45 that morning. Families who wish to walk on the field should meet at the stadium before 11:45. The first pitch and the reciting of the 4-H pledge begin at 12:30 p.m. It s really a day to remember for your 4-H family. Groups who wish to sit together must mail their ticket order in the same envelope to guarantee they sit together. PURPLE UP! FOR MILITARY KIDS How will you celebrate April s Month of the Military Child? Operation: Military Kids and University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Program invite everyone to wear purple on Tuesday, April 15. PURPLE symbolizes all branches of the military; mixing the Army green; Marine red; and Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force blues. We hope all 4-H families and clubs will take time to recognize the sacrifice military kids make in sharing their parents with the world. How can you celebrate? Why not try one of these ideas: write a personal letter to a military child, hold a purple up contest in your school or community, wear purple and tell others why you re wearing purple. For more information, contact: Linda Kupferschmid, lkupfers@illinois.edu, phone: (217) , or like us on Facebook at: Page 4

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6 EXTENSION HOLDS WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS AGRONOMY DAY Dr. Darrel Good gives his crop price outlook or West Central Illinois Agronomy Day was held February 11 at Lincoln Land Community College in Litchfield. Six different speakers gave presentations on the latest research in crop sciences and discussed some of the challenges facing farmers in Over sixty people from eight different counties attended the conference, which was free of charge. Attendees were also treated to coffee and donuts as well as lunch. Speakers included Dr. Darrel Good gave his crop price outlook or Dr. Good is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Economics. Sarah Potts also shared with those in attendance the results of corn population response research she had recently completed. Dr. Glen Hartman spoke on the topic of Soybean Disease Research. Professor Hartman is a research plant pathologist working on a number of projects related to improving pathogen and pest resistance and management in soybeans. Dr. Aaron Hager spoke about Herbicide/ Weed Challenges for Dr. Hager is an Associate Professor of Weed Science / Crop Sciences Department and Extension specialist in weed science /IPM. Wendy White spoke on the many opportunities available to people who pursue careers in crop sciences. White is a recruiter in the College of ACES - Crop Sciences Department at the University of Illinois. Dr. Laura Gentry spoke on research into 300 bushel and acre corn. Dr. Gentry served as Research Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, specializing in sustainability of high-yielding corn production systems, residue management and reduced tillage, and production and sustainability of annual bioenergy crops. The event was hosted by the University of Illinois Extension, Unit 18 and coordinated by Gary Letterly, Extension Educator, Energy and Environmental Stewardship. Sponsors for the event include: First National Bank of Raymond, First National Bank of Litchfield, Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District, First Community Bank of Hillsboro, Litchfield Farmer s Grain, M&M Service Co., Sloan Implement Co., Morrisonville Farmers Coop, Macoupin Co. Farm Bureau, Rovey Farms & Sales, Inc., National Bank of Hillsboro, Nokomis Savings Bank, Miller Bros. Fertilizer Co., Maxi-Yield Consultant Service, Inc., Wolff Oil Inc., Sorrells Farm Supply Inc., Mennel Milling Co. of IL, First National Bank of Nokomis, Linco-Precision LLC, Conklin Distributors, CNB Bank & Trust of Hillsboro For those not able to attend the event, the presentations will be made available upon request by ing letterly@illinois.edu. Anyone who would like to be notified of future Ag related events are asked to contact the Extension office at or by ing terrim@illinois.edu. Dr. Glen Hartman presents the latest Soybean Disease Research. Page 6

7 University of Illinois Extension Macoupin County #60 Carlinville Plaza Carlinville, IL Phone: Fax: This newsletter is designed to provide educational information and program updates to benefit you and your family. If you have questions about these or other programs, don t hesitate to contact our staff. The University of Illinois Extension is dedicated to working for you. MACOUPIN COUNTY STAFF: Amanda Cole, County Extension Director, acole1@illinois.edu Chris Casey, Community and Economic Development, ccasey1@illinois.edu Peggy Hampton, 4-H Youth Development, phampton@illinois.edu Andrew Holsinger, Agriculture & Natural Resources, aholsing@illinois.edu Gary Letterly, Environmental & Energy Stewardship, letterly@illinois.edu Terri Miller, Publicity and Promotion Specialist, terrim@illinois.edu Kate Harding, 4-H Program, harding@illinois.edu Connie Niemann, Agricultural Literacy, cniemann@illinois.edu Laura Baugh, Office Support Associate, llbaugh@illinois.edu