Pre-order your copy of the 2009 Christian County Plat Book before July 10 for the price of $30, (plus $5 shipping cost). This new book is being published by Rockford Map Company and expected delivery will be August 2009. After July 10, the cost of the plat book will be $35, plus $5 shipping cost. The Christian County 4-H Foundation is proud to be the sponsor of this new plat book. A printable order form is available by clicking on "Learn More" below. To pre-order and pay by credit card, click "Online Christian County Plat Book Orders" under the "Program Registrations" section.

The University of Illinois Extension website entitled, "A Taste of Gardening" has just been released. With the increased interest in vegetable gardening, this site offers new gardeners the essential information for planning, planting, maintaining, harvesting and storing vegetables.

Christian County Master Gardeners are staffing a "Help Desk" for the public at the U of I Extension Christian County office each Monday afternoon from May–October, between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

Anyone with questions or concerns about their flower or vegetable gardens, lawns or trees may call 287-7246 or drop by the Extension office, located at 1120 N. Webster St. in Taylorville.

The "Help Desk" is being offered by Christian County Master Gardeners to help meet the constant demand for horticultural consumer information by Christian County residents.

The next Safe Sitter class for girls and boys ages 11 to 13 will be held on Tuesday, July 21 and Wednesday, July 22, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Christian County Extension Office. To find out more information, click on "Learn More" below.

The 9th Annual Agriculture Appreciation Dinner will be held at the Christian County Fair on Thursday, July 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The meal is free, but tickets must be obtained in advance while they last at the University of Illinois Extension Christian County office, the Christian County Farm Bureau, or the Christian County Soil & Water Conservation District office. For more information, contact Linda L. Smith at 217/287-7246.

Seventeen 2009 LEADership Academy participants graduated May 1 at Krieger's Restaurant in Taylorville. To learn more about the 2010 LEADership Academy, click on "Learn More" below.

Gardening season usually means an abundance of zucchini and we have the answer for using all those extra zucchini in mouthwatering recipes. You can access this cookbook on line and either print out the entire cookbook or just the recipe you want, or you can drop by the UI Extension office, located at 1120 N. Webster St. and purchase a copy for $5.00.