Happy Summer everyone,

I hope that you are already deep into projects and you are able to be outside enjoying the sunshine and the warm weather.  Summer has so many wonderful aspects and benefits but there always seems to be something to bring things down.  Summer brings biting insects and other unwanted pests.  Keeping those annoying things away can be a challenge, but keeping them at bay is a health concern as well.  Ticks and mosquitoes both carry diseases and should be taken into consideration when you are out working on your projects.

• Wear insect repellents- DEET is the only product that the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health) recommend for keeping both mosquitoes and ticks at bay.  A minimum of 20% DEET is effective at controlling these pests. Higher concentration of DEET give you a longer window of protection however, going above 50% DEET does not increase the time of protection.  Do not apply DEET to skin that will be covered with clothes and follow all of the directions on the packaging.
• Cover as much skin as comfortable.  Wear as much clothing that you are able.  If possible wear long sleeves and pants to minimize exposed skin.
• Check yourself for ticks when you come in from working on projects that are in wooded areas.

Keep these tips in mind and I am sure that there will be many fun and beneficial projects this summer.

 Jason

Spending a good bit of time in the company of Master Gardeners these last few months has been a fascinating and rewarding experience. Since joining Extension back in February to work for a spell with the Master Gardener program as its part time coordinator, it has been my privilege to get to know, to observe, to listen to, and to learn from scores of Master Gardeners across the four counties of our unit and in all manner of settings.

Master Gardeners are never out-of-role; what you see is what you get. Whether they are making a presentation to an audience of a hundred eager listeners in a darkened amphitheater or they are simply visiting with a fellow enthusiast before a county meeting, they are one and the same: individuals who love to talk about subjects they have mastered through study and research, trial and error, careful observation, and lots of patience. More amazing still is that even though they have joined a distinguished group of recognized experts, they are ever on the lookout for the latest bits of information, fresh pieces of wisdom, or new tricks of the trade. They may have been declared teachers for the public benefit by the University of Illinois, but they are among the most keen learners I have ever known. It is fascinating to listen in as Master Gardeners trade knowledge and tips with the avidity and open-eyed wonder of students. What’s more, they are generous to a fault with this wonderful store of knowledge they possess: I have seen them place lustrous and valuable pieces of information in the hands of perfect strangers at a farmers market or through the horticulture Helpline, not to mention sharing gardening treasures with delighted neighbors and grateful family members.

They do have joys and frustrations—like anyone else—and can feel the sting of exasperation when nature decides to take its own, often unpredictable path. But they can wax poetic about the most arcane aspects of a science that is still infused with ancient folk wisdom, and derive rich joy from an intellectual discipline that is very deep yet continues to push back the boundaries of our knowledge. I think of Master Gardeners as individuals who both revel in the big picture and get positively giddy about the details. That’s a powerful combination! It serves our communities and our environment very well.

Gardeners and horticulturists, volunteers and staffers, learners and educators—it is a rich and dedicated team that works together to “help others learn to grow,” as our Extension mission has it. Our team is in its own season of preparation and planting as the Fall 2017 training program is finalized. Prospective Master Gardeners are signing up. Educators are getting ready. Graders are sharpening their pencils. Hosts are standing by. As in gardening, our efforts now will have tremendous results later, but there is joy, discovery, and community all the way through. Thank you all for making our program flourish!

Ian Goslin

 As of today we have 12 registered for the fall MG training. Our class will hold up to 20, so please help us promote the fall training opportunity. They can get more information and register HERE. The registration deadline is July 31. 

The Breakfast meeting was held at the American Grill, before the Spoon River Garden Club’s garden walk.

Complete minutes for this meeting can be found HERE.

Volunteer opportunity- Cuba Cares, a grassroots NFP organization had Welcome signs placed at each of the three entrances to town; they think some landscaping around these signs would make them more attractive. Need help on what to plant.

4 County Meeting- We are making progress on a program and speaker for this event.

Gardeners BIG DAY – 2018 update - More information HERE! 

The educational program was held on June 21 at Blue Ridge Farm and the Chillicothe CNA (Community Needs Agency.)  About 15 (including a number of guests) attended an excellent program at both places. The June 21 membership meeting was not held due to the low attendance.  Any items needing updating or action will be on the agenda for July. Click HERE for minutes from that meeting and detailed project updates from various projects.

Jubilee Prairie Dawgs- The Prairie Dawgs have seen wonderful roadside populations of Wild Hyacinth, Pale Purple Coneflower and Partridge Pea wiped out by untimely mowing. June 17th, the Prairie Dawgs were able to collect Wild Hyacinth seed from the railroad right of way along Canton-Cuba road, thanks to Fulton County's new 15 foot rule. This seed will be used on our roadside prairie and we will help the Canton-Cuba roadside with some Jubilee seed. Project Chair- Constance Waller

The next meeting will be held on July 19 with a program by Jason Haupt about Rain gardening and Water Conservation. 

The June 26 Tazewell MG Meeting was held at Bill and Kathy Baker's house.  The Bakers demonstrated harvesting honey and even offered some for sale! It was a very informative night for everyone who attended and everyone learned something.  Click HERE for minutes from this meeting.  You will also find detailed project updates on various projects.

Green Valley Garden-Bill and Kathy Baker and Curt Franks, along with some help from the 4-H kids have all the planting done. They put in a watering system and used black plastic to keep down the weeds. They have had work days early on Monday mornings.

National Wildlife Federation Mayors’ Monarch Pledge-Susan McCabe and Margaret Kelly, along with some 4-H help, have planted several areas of Pekin, including two areas on Margaret Street, the two Pekin Sign flower boxes, and the City Hall garden.  All gardens include milkweed.

Washington Community Garden-Lee Maki reported they have harvested some beets for WHIP.  Their workdays are Tuesdays at 6:30 am and 6 pm. They have had some major challenges with weeds and rabbits this year.

Our next meeting will be held July 24^th at ICC. We will also tour the ICC gardens.

Master Naturalist Quarterly Meeting

Thank you to Bill Johnson and May Bach for planning the next Master Naturalist quarterly meeting.  We will be meeting on Tuesday, July 18 at Wildlife Prairie Park in the Log Room. Times and agenda are as follows:

12:30-1:00 Bring your own lunch

1:00 Bluebirds of Central Illinois -Herb Unkrich

2:00 Introduction to Wildlife Prairie Park

2:15 MN meeting

3:00 MNs can visit park at their leisure

Please RSVP so we can have a general number to plan for. When arriving to the park let the front gate, know you are there for a MN meeting in the Log Room and they can assist you with directions if needed.

 St. Louis Zoo - Bus Trip

Since its inception in 1910, the St. Louis Zoo has been renowned for its beautiful naturalistic exhibits and its diverse collection of animals from the major continents and biomes of the world.

The mission of the Saint Louis Zoo is to conserve animals and their habitats through animal management, research, recreation, and educational programs that encourage the support and enrich the experience of the public.

Located on 90 acres in Forest Park, the Saint Louis Zoo is home to more than 603 species of animals, many of them rare and endangered. The Zoo annually attracts 3 million visitors, who can see more than 14,840 wild animals, not including the thousands of leafcutter ants and butterflies at the Zoo.

Bus Trip Itinerary - Peoria Charter - Thurs., Oct. 5, 2017

• 6:00 am pick up at Peoria Extension office, 4810 N Sheridan. Bus will leave when fully loaded or depart at 6:00 am
• 7:00 am pick up at Hardees, 401 W Dearborn St, Havana. Bus will leave when fully loaded or depart at 7:10 am
• 9:45 am arrival at St. Louis Zoo
• 10:00 Tour of the Conservation Research Lab & discussion conservation efforts coming out of zoo research
• Lunch is on your own, or you may bring a sack lunch, coolers will be available
• 3:00 - 3:15 pm board bus to head home. Bus will leave at 3:15 sharp
• 6:00 pm return to Hardees, 401 W Dearborn St, Havana
• 7:10 pm return to Peoria Extension office, 4810 N Sheridan, Peoria

Space is limited, so please register early. Early-bird registration is $80, 6/6 - 7/21, $85 7/22 - 9/7, and late registration after 9/8 is $90. Registration includes bus charter, a tour of conservation research lab, water & snacks. Lunch is on your own at the zoo, or you may bring a sack lunch. 

A detailed itinerary will be handed out the day of the trip.

Please direct all questions to Christine Belless at cbelless@illinois.edu

• July 11, 1:30 & July 13, 6:30 - Four Seasons Webinar: Sustainable Lawn Care
• Saturday, July 15 – Starhill Forest Arboretum, Field Course: What do trees know?
• Tuesday, July 18 – Master Naturalist Quarterly meeting in Peoria County
• Wednesday, July 19– Peoria MG meeting and program Jason Haupt on Rain gardens/Water Cons
• Saturday, July 22 – Paddle the Emiquon
• Monday, July 24 – Tazewell MG meeting and program tour of ICC gardens
• Tuesday, July 25, 1:30 & Thursday, July 27, 6:30 - Four Seasons Webinar: Backyard Tree Fruits
• July 29, Peoria Herb Guild Bus Trip coordinated by Bill and Kathy Baker 
• Monday, August 7 (14) MV Advisory Committee in Lewistown
• Wednesday, August 16– Peoria MG meeting and MN Mike Contratta on Coal Creek Project
• Saturday, August 19: Night hike at Emiquon
• Saturday, August 26, 9 am to 2 pm Bush honeysuckle control
• Monday, August 28th  6:00 pm Fulton/Mason MG Meeting-Host Jeff Wilcoxen @ Mason County Extension Office
• Monday, August 28 – Tazewell MG meeting and program What’s Cookin?
• Tuesday, September 5, 1:30 & Thursday, September 7, 6:30 - Four Seasons Webinar: Therapeutic Hort, Candice Hart
• Friday, September 8 – MG State Conference in Bloomington
• Friday, September 15, 9 am to 2 pm   Bush honeysuckle control
• Thursday, November 2, 6 pm - Unit-wide MG meeting at Big Creek Park in Canton

 For details call 309-543-3308 or view google calendar at http://bit.ly/fmpt-mvevents