The Adams/Brown 4-H Program is proud to announce that the 2010 edition of the Adams County Plat Book is now available. Copies can be purchased for $35.00 at the University of Illinois Extension Office at 330 S. 36 St, Quincy Illinois. Proceeds benefit the Adams/Brown 4-H program.

For more information please contact University of Illinois Extension at 223-8380 or cmorey@illinois.edu.

Click here to order yours online.

As we're all aware, fall harvest is painfully slow this year. In fact, it's the slowest on record state wide since 1974, when records were first kept. What are the implications of this late harvest? It would be impossible to list them all, but some of the major ones would include: the risk of field loss (ear drop and stalk lodging) is higher each day the crop remains unharvested due to weather conditions, thereby reducing yields ; producers will face increased costs due to much higher gas and electricity costs to artificially dry the crop; higher wear and tear on equipment that will have to "mud out" the crop; rutting up and leaving tire tracks and compaction in fields; lack of any fall fieldwork will cause increased rush next spring to fix the ruts, apply fertilizer and till ground; plus more. Producers understand that there is nothing they can do to improve weather conditions, but many are feeling very frustrated due to the inability to harvest. And conditions will only get worse as the season wears on and grain terminals/ elevators as well as on farm drying facilities become overloaded.

- Mike Roegge

Adams/Brown Unit staff members Sharon Knorr and Christine Morey recently attended the 2009 Midwest Environmental Education Conference in Champaign Illinois. The theme of the conference was Climbing the Green Wall, this theme was divided in to four strands; administration, interpretation, natural history and sustainability. MEEC provided conference goers with knowledge and resources to maximize their potential in the environmental education world.

The conference offered four speakers, 10 field expeditions, 12 workshops, and over eighty concurrent sessions. Highlights included; kickoff speaker Chad Pregracke founder of Living Lands & Waters, a local foods EAT-cology dinner at Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, and several workshops and sessions that will assist Knorr and Morey in educating youth about the environment.

This is a unique opportunity to hear what area HR managers are looking for in prospective and current employees. The series will focus on topics such as interview and management skills. All sessions will be led by professionals from area businesses. Attendees may attend one or all of the educational sessions. Attendees are encouraged to bring a sack lunch. Sessions are held in the lower level of the Paul Heath Center at John Wood Community College. Register by emailing Shelby Crow (sschoon@illinois.edu).

Remaining Sessions:

· Hosting a Productive Meeting - November 18th ,Renee Higgins, JWCC. Holding meetings that are well organized, fun, and held regularly can return many benefits to you and your team.

· Interview Skills (What employers are looking for) - December 16th, Mike Dailing, Knapheide

- Shelby Crow

November 19th 3-5 pm at both the Adams and Brown Extension offices

This Tele-Institute will provide all local government officials with a review of current State and Federal legislative issues. Officials will learn the progress of these State and Federal legislative issues and the impact they have on Illinois local governments and the communities they serve. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss new legislations with professionals who specialize in State and Federal legislative issues.

There is no charge for this program but registration is required. Call 223-8380 (Adams) or 773-3013 (Brown) to click here to register online.

The Adams County Green Coalition will hold a green educational event on November 11^th at 6:30 pm at O'Griffs Irish Pub & Grill located at 415 Hampshire St.

The event will provide info on a local electronic recycling location and the waste stream of electronics. The speaker will be Bill Martin from GreenTekEcycling. Participants can bring along electronics to be recycled. A reduced fee will be offered to recycle monitors, CPU's, printers, or TVs. There is a limit of 3 items per person that can be brought. Toner cartridges, lithium batteries, and battery backups can be recycled for free.

Visit the Adams Co Green Coalition website for more information: www.adamscountygreencoalition.org

- Jenny Sousa

Marilyn and Rachel Shriver take top honors at the 72^nd annual Adams Brown 4-H Achievement Day held on Oct 11, 2009. Each year over 200 awards are given out to 4-H members, volunteer leaders and clubs. Top awards given that day were top ten clubs, Dale Donley Leader of the Year Award and 2009 Outstanding 4-H Member Award.

The top ten clubs are 10^th Camp Point Coop, 9^th Central Live Wires, 8^th Adams County Firecrackers, 7^th Fall Creek Friends, 6^th Country Cousins, 5^th Ursa Willing Workers, 4^th Ellington Hilltoppers, 3^rd Burton Flyers, 2^nd Going Sewing, and 1^st place went to the Quinsippi 4-Hers.

The 2009 Dale Donley Leader of the Year Award went to Marilyn Shriver. Marilyn is retiring this year after leading the Ursa Willing Workers for 35 years. According to Christine Morey, 4-H Program Coordinator, "The Adams/Brown 4-H program is honored to have a volunteer like Marilyn, who is willing to devote so much time to the development of young people."

Rachel Shriver has spent the last 11 years of her life 'making the best better' in the Ursa Willing Workers 4-H Club. Rachel was selected as the 09 Outstanding 4-H Member. In addition to a plaque Rachel receives a scholarship to be used to further her education. Outstanding 4-H Members are nominated by their leader, complete a state 4-H record and an interview. Winners are chosen by a panel of volunteers. Rachel is currently a student at John Wood Community College.

There are 20 4-H Community Clubs in the Adams/Brown Program, with 369 members and 51 volunteer club leaders. The 4-H program is administered by University of Illinois Extension and is open to any youth ages 5-18. For more information about this or any other U of I Extension program, please call the Extension office (223-8380).

- Christine Morey

Extension is proud to offer the 2009/2010 Building Communities Webinar Series at no charge to local participants. The sessions will be offered at the Adams and Brown county offices from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Register On-Line or call 217-223-8380.

• November 17, 2009 – The U.S. Economy Today and the Post-Recession Prognosis
• January 19, 2010 – Broadband and E-Commerce: Putting the "E" in Community and Business
• February 16, 2010 – Retaining and Attracting People as an Economic Development Strategy
• March 16, 2010 – Housing and Other Critical Sectors: Assessing and Building Our Economy
• April 20, 2010 – Rebuilding Downtown and Niche Small Businesses
• May 18, 2010 – Matching Customers and Businesses: Understand and Capitalize on the Market
• June 15, 2010 – Engaging the Community to Develop Sustainably

There were more than 15,000 hits on the Adams/Brown Extension website this past month. Residents are registering for programs, following our blogs, and accessing information on farming, gardening, nutrition, community development and more. Adams/Brown Extension is also on Facebook and Twitter.

- Carrie Edgar