Encouraged Environmental Responsibility

• Over 2100 people viewed hort/pest management practices at Master Gardener Idea Garden
• 20 people were trained in classroom and online as Master Gardeners
• 23 Master Gardeners successfully completed advanced training in tree ID
• 43 Arborists, natural areas stewards, city and park district personnel and Master Gardeners learned possible dangers of Sudden Oak Death
• Provided Pesticide Safety Education to 137 area farmers to secure certification to use restricted use pesticides and herbicides

Enriched and Nurtured Relationships

• 20 families addressed developmental needs of kids ages newborn-three years in playgroups
• 61 parents and child care providers learned tips and games to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles in young children
• 75 parents and child care providers improved communication skills and discipline techniques
• Discovered Practical and Timely Solutions.
• 294 gardeners learned from international speakers at Garden Day
• 1200 people were made aware of a variety of garden plants and designs during Garden Walk
• 24 Master Gardeners completed 15 hours of continued education in plant propagation
• 75 adults increased their capacity to create nutritious meals on a limited budget through community seminars
• 1100 adults received nutrition newsletters monthly

Advocated Positive Youth Development

• Taught gardening and personal development skills for 85 youth at Juvenile Detention Center. Garden was expanded this year by request of residents and staff
• 572 children served by Crisis Nursery experienced educational activities in the gardens planted and maintained through more than 150 Master Gardener volunteer hours
• 15 after-school programs in various locations provided 560 youth alternatives to hanging out in the "wrong places"
• More than 700 fourth and fifth graders interactively experienced how choices affect their bodies health by participating in the Body Walk program
• 265 preschool children practiced hand-washing skills to prevent the spread of germs
• 220 children learned basic food preparation skills and better food choices during summer day camps
• 431 youth participated in 4-H community clubs

Strengthened Financial Security

• More than 1700 high school students experienced money management decisions including the skills needed for checking accounts and maintaining account balances
• Provided leadership forlocal America Saves affiliate, Champaign County Saves, to encourage individuals to develop strategies for saving
• Assisted 93 adults in knowing how to access their own credit reports and review them for accuracy
• Provide monthly grain market information to over 75 farmers through the Champaign County Corn and Soybean Marketing Club

Highlights of 2005:

2350 Youth participated in character education programs.

136 parents and child care providers learned skills to help them raise healthy children

163 farmers learned to identify crop pests and diseases.

More than 2000 Champaign County residents received appropriate pest management
information regarding their homes, landscapes or gardens.

- Marilyn Brengle

This Thanksgiving we pause to send thanks to you for your volunteer spirit. We appreciate all you do to support University of Illinois Extension programs in Champaign County. A special thank you to the following businesses for their support:

• Abbott's Florist
• Arends Brothers, Inc.
• Bates Commodities
• Birkeys Farm Stores
• Champaign County Seed
• Country Arbors Nursery
• C-U Optimist Club
• Danville Gardens
• David Riecks Photography
• East Central IL FBFM
• Ehler Brothers Fertilizer
• English Hedgerow
• Farm Credit Services
• Farmers Ag Service
• Fisher Farmers Grain
• Forget-Me-Not Florals
• Gordyville USA
• Grain Field Marketing
• Grapevine Creations
• Green View Nursery
• Hicksgas
• Illini FS
• Kemper Rentals
• Kiwanis
• Kleiss Nurseries
• Landscape Recycling
• Mike Jeffords & Carrie Nixon
• National City Bank
• Pages for All Ages
• Prairie Gardens
• RCIS
• Rick Orr Florist
• Shaff Ford Machinery
• Shaff Implement
• The Andersons
• The Gifford State Bank
• Triad Shredding
• United Feeds
• Unzicker Stables
• Whitledge Flowers

- Marilyn Brengle

Karyn Mendoza joined our staff in October as the Unit's 4-H Youth Development Educator. Karyn and her husband came to Champaign from Orange County, California where Karyn has worked as a Program Director of Youth Services. In this capacity she was responsible for overseeing youth diversion programs and clinical servcies to youth and their families. Karyn received her Masters in Social Work from the university of Southern California and has been working with youth in various capacities.

Karyn grew up in the Aurora area and is glad to be "back home." We are glad to have her here in Champaign County and hope you will have a chance to stop in and give her a warm welcome.

Busy families sometimes take energy usage for granted. As energy prices continue to rise, however, that energy cost takes more and more out of the budget. Here are some tips to decrease energy usage.

• Use compact fluorescent bulbs. They typically use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer.
• Use timers to turn lights on and off.
• Use lower wattage bulbs.
• Clean condenser coils on refrigerators. Vacuuming of the coils should be done at least twice a year.
• Keep the refrigerator full, but not overloaded. Too much food can hamper air circulation.
• Dry full loads of clothes. If buying a new dryer, consider getting one with a moisture sensor.
• Clean the lint screen on the dryer after every use.
• Check the dryer vent to make sure it's not blocked.
• Insulate hot water pipes, using material designed for this purpose.
• Check air ducts for leaks. Professionals should seal ducts in unconditioned spaces.
• Keep air vents free of obstructions.
• Keep fireplace dampers closed when not in use.
• Set the thermostat lower when no one will be in the house, or consider installing a programmable thermostat.
  

For more information on saving energy, visit the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website at www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo.

November

3 4-H Hippology Quiz practice, 7:30 p.m., Dewey

7 Marketing Club, 7 p.m.

8 4-H Photography Workshop, 6:30 p.m.

14 Unit Council, 7 p.m

15 Advances in Ag Drainage, 1:30 p.m.

15 Pond Management, 6:30 p.m.

16 Prevent Identity Theft, 7 p.m.

28 Marketing Club, 7 p.m.

29 Pesticide Applicator Training/Testing, 6 p.m.

December

2 Parenting Outcomes Satellite, 10 a.m.

6 4-H Photography Workshop, 6:30 p.m.

6 Master Gardener applications due

9 Parenting Outcomes Satellite, 10 a.m.

19 Farm Income 2006, 8:30 a.m., Holiday Inn

26-Jan. 2 Office Closed

January

3 Office re-opens

9 Unit Council, 7 p.m.

7 Marketing Club, 7 p.m.

16 Marketing Club, 7 p.m.