Inside . . . Page 2 Horticulture Educator’s Comments Continued by Rhonda Ferree Page 3 2016 Small Farms Winter Webinar Series 2016 Four Seasons Gardening Webinar Series Page 4 Educational Opportunity for Volunteers Annie’s Project Page 5 Master Naturalist Quarterly Meeting Master Naturalist Training Pages 6-7 Peoria News Page 8 Tazewell News Page 9 Calendar of Events

January-February 2016

A New Year brings fresh beginnings and reflections from the past. It is a time to celebrate our 2015 successes when we…

achieved media success using print, radio, television, and social media outlets to reach a broader and more diverse audience. My social media reach now averages over 26,000 hits per month.

reached clientele with over a hundred presentations providing thousands of people with a direct horticultural message. The majority of those were taught by our MV Speakers Bureau.

grew a stronger Master Gardener program. Our 163 Master Gardener volunteers reached over 10,000 local residents during the over 10,000 hours they spent “Helping Others Learn to Grow” in 2015. Plus, our 27 new interns are already busy in their local communities.

directly answered clientele questions using our Plant Detectives. A new sunflower-shaped business card helped promote the Peoria based MG Helpline at fairs, festivals, farmers markets, home shows, and more.

educated about pollinators at Earth day events, pollinator days at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, Wildlife Prairie Park’s butterfly habitat, in schools, and more.

helped produce food by teaching about backyard gardening and growing produce for food pantries. Master Gardener gift gardens in Green Valley, Morton, Washington, and Canton donated over 5,000 pounds of food to feed the hungry in their communities. Other Master Gardeners taught youth how to raise and use food grown in school, YMCA, and 4-H gardens.

celebrated with Illinois MG Coordinator Monica David where we learned about some of her favorite gardens, and then bid her a fond retirement farewell. Monica writes, “The Master Gardener state advisory committee is working on plans for transition as well as continuity for the program.” Sandy Mason, Horticulture educator in Champaign, has agreed to serve as Interim MG Coordinator beginning January 1, 2016. Extension administration will conduct a search for a State Master Gardener coordinator in the upcoming year.

Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit

Master Volunteer News

Horticulture Educator Comments

Due to budget

constraints, we are

working to reduce the

cost and time

commitment for this

newsletter while still

meeting our MV

communication needs.

Therefore Rhonda &

Jason and Christine &

Julia will alternate

writing in issues in 2016

with Rhonda and

Christine providing

articles for this issue.

Other changes include

digital distribution to

those requesting that

method and black-n-

white instead of color

printing for mailed

issues. Stay tuned for

more about that and

other possible changes to

be discussed with the

MV advisory committee.

honored some MG accomplishments *Margaret Kelly’s article, “Keith Keppel Garden”, was published in the summer 2015 edition of “Irises, The Bulletin of the American Iris Society".

*Bob Reading worked with two Eagle Scout projects to transform the back of the Holy Family Church Parish Center using rocks, flowers, trellises, irrigation, and statues.

*Advanced certification was awarded to Corinna Walker (second from left) in ecology.

*Jane Baar advanced from intern to active status in Peoria.

*Fun was had by all at the Fulton/Mason MG Greenery workshop in December.

We look forward to a fun and successful 2016. Be sure to reserve events of interest to you that are listed elsewhere in this newsletter, and…

continue to report your 2015 volunteer and CE hours through January 15. Your hours will be summarized and shared with local stakeholders, statewide Extension administration, and national Extension partners. Please report your contacts (numbers reached) in the comments section.

contact Julia Pryor if you can help at a Master Gardener Training session, which begins February 2 and runs on Tuesdays through April.

watch for details about the Chicago Flower and Garden Show bus trip on Tues., March 15.

Please let Julia, Paula, or me know if we can help you in anyway as you “Help Others Learn to Grow” in your local communities.

Rhonda J. Ferree

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2016 Small Farms Winter Webinar Series

Webinars will be held from noon -1pm on Thursdays and are free. Register online at: https://web.extension.illinois.edu/ registration/?RegistrationID=13379. Contact your local Extension office to inquire about attending the webinar at the Extension office. Choose any number of the following webinars to attend when you register.

Jan. 14 - Lean Farming: Cutting Waste and Maximizing Efficiency on Small Farms, Zack Grant,

U of I Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Jan. 28 - Farm Pond Ecology: Managing for Desirable Plants and Fish, David Shiley, U of I

Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Feb. 4 - Producing Shiitake Mushrooms, Grant McCarty, U of I Extension Local Food Systems

and Small Farms Educator

Feb. 11 - Managing Horse Pastures on Small Farms and Acreages, Jamie Washburn, U of I

Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Feb. 18 - The Emerging Local Grain Economy in Illinois, Bill Davison, U of I Extension Local

Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Feb. 25 - Food Safety Modernization Act: Changes for Small Scale Producers, Laurie George,

U of I Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Mar. 3 - Getting Your Beehives Ready for Spring, Doug Gucker, U of I Extension Local Food

Systems and Small Farms Educator

Mar. 10 - Raising Meat Birds on Pasture, Andy Larson, U of I Extension Local Food Systems and

Small Farms Educator

Mar. 17 - Using Cover Crops on Small Farms, Nathan Johanning, U of I Extension Local Food

Systems and Small Farms Educator

Mar. 24 - Growing Great Blackberries, Bronwyn Aly, U of I Extension Local Food Systems and

Small Farms 2016 Small Farms Winter Webinar Series Educator

Mar. 31 Setting Up a Grazing System on a Small Farm, Jay Solomon, U of I Extension Energy

and Environmental Stewardship Educator

The webinars can be accessed online from your personal computer. In case you cannot attend these

dates, register anyway to view an archived, recorded version. Information will be provided via email (the

Monday after airing) for viewing at your convenience. They can also be accessed on our website at:

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ smallfarm/webinar.html Contact your local Extension office for more

information about live viewing sites. For more information, contact Andy Larson, University of Illinois

Extension, Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator, at 815-732-2191 or andylars@illinois.edu

2016 Four Seasons Gardening Webinar Series

U of I Extension’s Four Seasons Gardening webinar series features 12 topics in 2016. All sessions are held on Tuesdays at 1:30 pm and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. for live home viewing or the Tuesday sessions are shown live in the Peoria and Havana office (not in Havana during their July fair). Following the sessions, a taped version is available at http://bit.ly/1PwHVoK. The 2016 schedule includes:

Feb. 23 & 25 - How to Kill Your Tree: A guide of what NOT to do by Chris Enroth

March 8 & 10 - Unique Terrariums for Indoor Spaces by Candice Miller

March 22 & 24 - Naughty, Nasty, and Simply Annoying Plants by Rhonda Ferree

April 26 & 28 - Water Smart Gardening by David Robson

May 10 & 12 - Utilizing Containers and Raised Beds to Grow Vegetables by Nancy Kreith

May 24 & 26 - Backyard Greenhouse Basics by Kim Ellson

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July 26 & 28 - Oak (deciduous) Diseases by Diane Plewa

August 9 & 11 - Cover Crops in Home Gardens by Duane Friend

August 23 & 25 - Native Pollinators by Ken Johnson

Sept. 27 & 29 - Plant Adaptations by Kelly Allsup

October 11 & 13 - Small Shrubs/Low Maintenance by Sandy Mason

October 25 & 27 - Garden Pond Critters by Phil Nixon

Register to listen to the sessions from your home computer at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/

hmrs/4seasons/. Register online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt or call 309-543-3308 to attend

the Tuesday sessions at the Extension offices in Peoria or Havana. There is no fee to attend. For more

information about webinars or the U of I Extension Master Gardener program, please contact Julia Pryor

at jpryor@illinois.edu or call 309-543-3308.

Educational Opportunity for Volunteers

Sat., Jan. 30 – Winter Day in the Garden - Highland Church of Christ, Robinson, Ill. Sessions

include: “A-Z Top Performing Perennials” by Richard Hawke, Plant Evaluation Manager at the Chicago

Botanic Garden; “Great Plants for Shady Areas” and “101 Landscape Ideas” by Colletta Kosiba , award-

winning Master Gardener and Master Naturalist; “Exciting Container Gardening” by Laurie McWillliams,

co-owner of CopperTree Outdoor Lifestyles; “Invasive Plants” by Chris Evans, recent coordinator of the

Illinois Wildlife Action Plan’s Invasive Species Campaign; and “Bee Basics for the Home Gardener” by

Dennis Inboden, co-owner of Honeycreek Acres, Ltd. In addition, Lee Coates, the PaperCrete Potter

offers make-it/take-it sessions for an additional fee. Early registration is $35; after Jan. 20, it is $45.

Breakfast and lunch are included. The event is sponsored by Crawford County MGs. For more

information, call 618-546-1549 or http:web.extension.illinois.edu/cce/crawfordmg/. Credit card payments

must be processed online.

Annie’s Project—Education for Farm Women

“Annie’s Project – Education for Farm Women” is

co-sponsored by University of Illinois Extension,

Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit and Fulton

County Farm Bureau Women's Committee starting

in February. Annie’s Project is designed to help

farm women develop their management and

decision making skills in the dynamic, complex world of agriculture. Dates of the six session series are

February 16, 18, 23, 25, March 1 & 3 (with a snow date of March 8) with each session running from 6 to 9

p.m. at the Fulton County Farm Bureau Building located at 15411 N IL 100 Highway, Lewistown.

Using several agriculture industry professionals as speakers, Annie’s Project will cover topics that include

goal setting, business planning, family communications, keeping track of financial records, interpreting

financial information, understanding insurance options (liability, health, life, long-term care, crop, etc.),

land values and leases, retirement and estate planning, risk management, FSA & USDA programs, and

much more.

Pre-registration is required to participate in Annie’s Project. To register visit us online at http://

go.illinois.edu/fmptanniesproject2016 or call University of Illinois Extension at (309) 547-3711.

Registration cost is $50. Registration deadline is February 1, 2016.

River Valley Master Naturalist News

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Master Naturalist Quarterly Meeting

Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Master Naturalists and the Emiquon Audubon Society will meet jointly

on Tues., Jan. 26 at Grandpa’s Restaurant in Havana,117 W. Main St., from 1 – 3:30 pm. Cathy Janus

and her daughter Rebecca Atkinson will present their family collection called the "Parkland Museum of

Natural History" at 1 pm. The collection is comprised of an entomology exhibit, a sea shell collection, a

rock and mineral collection, a fossil collection, as well as Native American, South American and African

artifacts.

The collection started when Cathy’s mother, Eda Louie, was a young girl. She was given a fossil by a

neighbor--and that was the beginning of a lifelong hobby which led to the museum. She often bought

and traded items with other collectors, and often went fossil hunting as a family.

Originally, groups would come to the house for tours, but once her grandchildren were living in other

states, she created this fossil exhibit to take to schools.

Rebecca has always been interested in fossils, and once strongly considered paleontology as a career.

She still enjoys fossil collecting as a hobby.

When Cathy’s mother passed away in 2012, she bequeathed the museum to Rebecca. They are so

pleased to be able to share a part of it with others.

The MN business portion of the meeting will follow the museum presentation.

Our group will meet in the banquet room at Grandpa’s. Food and beverage will be available for

purchase, but should be ordered before the 1 pm presentation. Wear your name tag and your name will

be entered into a drawing. Bring a calendar to write down important dates and your name will be

entered a second time.

Jo Fessett, with the Illinois Audubon Society and member of the Emiquon Audubon Society, will join us. Jo will share upcoming Eagle Day events in Illinois.

Master Naturalist Training

Registration for the 2016 Master Naturalist training is online at

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt/ . Training is scheduled for

June 13-24, 2016 meeting Monday – Friday for two weeks, 9 am –

4 pm. The cost of training is $250. Again this year, educators

completing MN training are eligible to receive 60 professional

development hours for an additional fee of $30.

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Peoria Master Gardener News

2016 Peoria County Master Gardener Officers

President May Bach Vice President Randy Saxon Recording Secretary Peggy Shane Corresponding Secretary Sharon Jackson Marketing TBD Financial Secretary Jennifer Bass Newsletter Editor Jill Meints Membership Tony Anderson Long Term Projects Lynne LaHood Short Term Projects Lynne LaHood Speaker’s Bureau Paula Lane Volunteer Coordinator TBD Education Coordinator Charles Crider Assisted by: Dixie Krisher

February Meeting

Date: Wed., Feb. 17, 2016

Time: 12:30 p.m. - social time

1:00 p.m.— Panel of MGs to answer questions and discuss gardening issues

2:00 p.m. - membership meeting

Place: Peoria County Extension Office

President’s Message – May Bach

It will officially be winter by the time this message gets sent to all of you. I promise I will not do any complaining this time about missing the warmer weather (even though I do!). That is because even I have to admit that winter is a time of year to do some very important gardening chores. My personal favorite is tree trimming. When I moved to this house and yard, not a single tree was on the property. Over the years I have planted over 100 trees of various types, shapes, and sizes, and they all have one thing in common. They need regular trimming.

In the past I trimmed my trees, but I didn’t know what I was doing. I trimmed off branches that grew too low to the ground. I trimmed off branches that spoiled the shape of the tree. I did not know what the terms double leaders, water sprouts, and suckers meant. I did not know that I could transfer diseases from tree to tree by not cleaning my pruners. All I did know was that

I should trim trees in the winter. So, even though I hate the cold, I would bundle up and go out to “trim.” What I did back then was not really trimming. It was more like hacking away at the branches until I was either too cold to continue, or until I thought I had completed the task. I didn’t try to hurt my trees, but I didn’t do a very good job during the first years at improving their health either.

Finally, I received a pamphlet from the Arbor Day Foundation, and actually read the instructions about properly trimming a tree. Wow! What a difference it made. In just a few years of proper trimming, I had better looking shade trees, healthier fruit trees, and evergreens that looked like illustrations from a Christmas card. When I finally took the Master Gardener training, I learned that I still had a lot of learning to do, but I was and still am an eager student.

Now in speaking to other novice gardeners, I remind myself of that time of my many mistakes. Someone asking for instruction is a pretty wonderful thing. It is important to share knowledge with someone, and to also understand it may be the first time they have ever had instruction. I wasn’t always wise enough to ask for help or instruction, mainly because back then, in the dark ages, I had much more energy than time. I do believe my trees understand and forgive me, but I also hope that now I can help others learn better methods. Trimming is an important chore, and with the proper methods, it is a vital part of keeping trees healthy and growing. As vital as it is for U of I Master Gardeners to also help people grow.

Meeting Minutes-Wed., November 19

The educational portion of the meeting was a presentation with pictures and dialogue by May Bach of a trip she took with her husband to Scotland and Ireland. Thank you May.

Old Business:

­­­ Milkweed group ­ May offered “red clay seed balls” to the group for the ‘taking’. These were made by several Master Gardeners to share. These should not be planted; they should be laid on the ground. The seed balls are made of seeds from plants, which are beneficial to butterflies, moths and bees.

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­­­ A sign­up sheet was passed around for volunteers to help clean out old files and drawers in the new office space. Available dates to do this will be sent to those who sign to volunteer.

­­­Updating of the Peoria County Master Gardener (PCMG) manual and bylaws is ongoing.

­­­ Carol Lontai gave a report on the sound system that has been decided on. It is an Anchor Audio Lite portable PA system with accessories and the cost will be approximately $394.00. Finance chair Jennifer Bass is in the process of contacting our Unit Director Earl Allen about our purchasing this system.

­­­ Julia Pryor gave a short report to the group. Jan.15, 2016 is the LAST day to report volunteer hours. A REMINDER: Please complete and return your volunteer agreement forms now. It only takes a few minutes and a stamped return envelope is included with the forms which have been sent to the membership. A Speaker’s Bureau meeting took place on Nov. 5. Paula Lane is gathering a list of topics that our membership could offer to the public. If there is a topic you would like to speak on, please contact Paula Lane.

­­­ A sign-up sheet was circulated to help with the MG training in 2016. See the schedule in the MG November/December newsletter. If interested, please contact May Bach.

New Business:

­­New MG Sprouts program for 6-8 year olds shared by the Georgia MGs. Contact May if interested.

­­The Riverfront Farmer’s Market MG information booth is now an official project.

Other New Business:

Election of Officers for the MG Board for 2016: Bob Coppernoll. These four names were entered into nomination for the four elected offices of the Peoria Master Gardener Board:

May Bach, President; Randall Saxon, Vice ­President; Peggy Shane, Recording Secretary; Sharon Jackson, Corresponding Secretary

The voting was carried out by a show of hands and all four nominees were elected to a one year term for 2016. Congratulations to the new 2016 MG Board Officers!!

Three MG Board members are “retiring” this year: Louise Bassett, Patricia Melaik and Norm Meyn. Many thanks to them for their commitment and dedication to our Peoria County MG organization.

~Patricia Melaik ­­­ Recording Secretary

A POSTNOTE from the Recording Secretary: It has been my distinct privilege to serve on the Peoria County MG Board both as President and Recording Secretary. Thank you to all for your continued support and dedication to our Peoria organization. Patricia Melaik

Project Updates

Riverfront Market—I am happy to report that the RFM is eager to have the Master Gardener Information Booth return for the 2016 season. We talked to hundreds of people over those sunny Saturdays in 2015, and the many volunteers donating their time were wonderful contributors. It seems nothing stirs a person's gardening passions quite like shopping through displays of fresh produce, herbs, and flowers.

I am also very happy to report that our Peoria County board voted to make the RFM an official project for our Peoria County U of I Master Gardeners and our MG friends of other counties are welcome to join us any Saturday morning. Becoming an official project opens up new avenues of possibilities for our booth to do demonstrations, displays, and share even more gardening knowledge with the RFM visitors. Stay tuned for further news on volunteering. I will be posting again in April with upcoming volunteer opportunities, and hope you will join us riverside, May to September of 2016. May Bach 309-565-7644

~May Bach, Project Chair

Tazewell Master Gardeners will meet on March 28, 2016.

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Master Gardeners Volunteer at First Baptist Church in Pekin

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Regular County Master Gardener Meetings

Peoria 3rd Wed. at 12:30 p.m. (Board 2nd Wed. at 9:30) usually in Peoria office, but do not meet in December or January.

Tazewell 4th Mon. at 6 p.m. in Pekin office (March through October).

Fulton/Mason Thurs., Feb. 4—Joint Mason and Fulton MG Meeting, Havana office, 6 pm. Speaker is Logan County MG Jim Struebing on Illinois native plants. Guests welcome.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS

Jan. 6-8, 2016—Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel,

Springfield

Jan. 15—2015 MG and MN volunteer and continuing education hours due online

Sat., Jan. 30—Beginning Beekeeper event in Pekin

Sat., Jan. 30—Winter Day in the Garden, Highland Church of Christ, Robinson, IL. For more info, call

618-546-1549 or http:web.extension.illinois.edu/cce/crawfordmg/

Tues., Feb. 2—Master Gardener Training begins in Peoria

Thurs., Feb. 4—Joint Mason and Fulton MG Meeting, Havana office, 6 pm. Speaker is Logan County

MG Jim Struebing on Illinois native plants. Guests welcome

Thurs., Feb. 4—Rhonda covers The Meaning of Flowers at Dunlap Library, 6:30 pm

Sat., Feb. 6—Eagle Days in Havana

Tues., Feb. 9—Mason County Bee Group, 6 pm, location TBD. Speaker is Illinois Bee Inspector Jim

Wellwood on new issues for beekeepers in 2016

Sat., Feb. 20—Quincy Local Food Summit. Rhonda teaches Edible Landscapes

Tues., Feb. 23 & Thurs., Feb. 25—Four Seasons Webinar* - How to Kill Your Tree by Chris Enroth

Tues., Feb. 23—Quincy First Detector Workshop

Wed., Feb. 24—Springfield First Detector Workshop

Feb. 26-28—Peoria Home Show MG booth

Sat., Feb. 27—Macon County MG Gardening Insight Day. Rhonda teaches Turf

Tues., Mar. 8 & Thurs., Mar. 10—Four Seasons Webinar* - Terrariums by Candice Miller

Tues., March 15—Chicago Flower Show MG bus trip

Sat., April 30—Gardeners’ BIG Day, Fulton County

For details, call 309-543-3308 or see events listing at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt

See http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt/ for more details, including event and subscription information or call 309-543-3308.

*Four Seasons Gardening Series on Tuesdays at 1:30 pm and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. are available for live home viewing or the Tuesday sessions are shown live in the Peoria and Havana office (not in Havana during their July fair). Following the sessions, a taped version is available at http://bit.ly/1PwHVoK.

Calendar of Events

University of Illinois Extension · U.S. Department of Agriculture · Local Extension Councils Cooperating University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event, contact your local Extension office.

University of Illinois Extension

serving Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Counties

University of Illinois Extension Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit 15411 N IL 100 Hwy Lewistown, IL 61542

Main Office

1505 Valle Vista

Pekin, IL 61554

Phone: 309-347-6614

FAX: 309-347-5472

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm

(Closed 12—1 pm)

Branch Office

127 S High St, Ste 1

Havana, IL 62644

Phone: 309-543-3308

FAX: 309-543-6239

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm

(Closed 12—1 pm)

Branch Office

15411 N IL 100 Hwy

Lewistown, IL 61542

Phone: 309-547-3711

FAX: 309-547-3713

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm

(Closed 12—1 pm)

Branch Office

4810 North Sheridan

Peoria, IL 61614

Phone: 309-685-3140

FAX: 309-685-3397

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm

(Closed 12—1 pm)

Academic Staff Dr. Earl Allen-County Director

Kathleen Brown-Educator, Community and Economic Development

Margaret Cover-Educator, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program

Rhonda Ferree-Educator, Horticulture

Michelle Fombelle-Educator, SNAP-Ed

Jason Haupt-Educator, Environmental and Energy Stewardship

Judy Schmidt-Educator, 4-H Metro

Ginger Schnecker-Educator, 4-H Youth Development

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt/

PRSRT.STD.

U.S.Postage Paid

Lewistown, IL 61542

Permit No. 35