March 17, 2008
Worm Composting Demonstration
We are looking for one to two Master Composters to cover a worm composting demonstration for the Proksa Park Garden Club. They have two upcoming dates available. They are also purchasing the bin you will be putting together during the demo.That bin will be raffled at the end of the demo that night. Please see details below:
Proksa Park Garden club meets at 7 p.m., the second Monday of each month. Our attendance varies from 15-30. We are a group that does gardening in Proksa Park and sponsors a kids garden as well.
Open dates are Monda, April 14 and Monday,May 12
Our meetings are held in the Proksa Park Community Room at 3001 South Wisconsin in Berwyn. That is three blocks east of Harlem and about 5 blocks North of Ogden.
Please let me know if you are interested by emailing me at nkreith@gmail.com
Thanks Nancy.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 11:26 PM | Permalink |
March 11, 2008
North Lake Shore Earth Day
Hello Master Composters,
Another Earth Day event is happening and the word is out on what a fine job you MCs do. I am looking for two to four people to lead this event with worm demos. If we have a good response maybe we can work out a morning and afternoon shift. I can arrange a pick up and delivery of materials to GPC or other convenient location. Parking, a table and two chairs will be provided and we will supply you with all the fixings. Please let me know if you are interested.
What - North Lake Shore Earth Day
Where - Loyola – Quinlan Life Sciences Building, 1050 W. Sheridan Road (Sheridan & Kenmore)
Topic - Worm Composting Demonstrations
Date - Saturday, April 12th
Time - 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Additional info:
Map: http://www.luc.edu/info/maps/lsc.pdf
Set up: (Table Display Set Up should be 8:30 a.m.to 9:00 a.m.)
Speakers/Presenters: Al Gini of NPR & Loyola University for Keynote Address
Debra Shore, Commissioner; Water Reclamation District
Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Commissioner, Department of
Environment and many other noted environmental presenters
Parking: Complimentary at the Parking Structure on Loyola's campus.
Thank you for your consideration.
Nancy Kreith
Extension Program Coordinator
University of Illinois Extension
3807 W. 111th Street
Chicago, IL. 60655
office: 773.233.0476
fax: 773.233.0910
cell: 708.567.6101
url: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/
Posted by Ron Wolford at 10:33 PM | Permalink |
February 2, 2008
Milwaukee Worm Composting Workshop
Growing Power, Inc. in association with the Urban Agriculture Conference of Milwaukee presents a Composting and Vermiculture workshop on Friday, February 29th, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Location: 5500 W. Silver Spring Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53218. Cost: $100 (scholarships are available), lunch included.
Workshop Schedule:
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. – Introduction
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Tour
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. –Lunch
1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. - Hands on Training in Composting and Vermiculture
For more information please call Katie 414-527-1546 or email katie@growingpower.org. Hope to see you there!
Laurell Sims: Growing Power, Inc.
1741 North Western Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60647
Phone: 773.486.6005
Posted by Ron Wolford at 1:58 PM | Permalink |
January 19, 2008
Volunteer for Green and Growing Fair
Hello Master Composters,
Please save the date:
Saturday, April 26, 2008 - 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Green and Growing Fair
On-going Compost Demonstrations on The Basics of Composting
Morning and afternoon shifts available.
Materials and supplies will be provided.
Each volunteer receives Snacks/Refreshments and GreenNet Tote Bag
Please contact Nancy Kreith for more information or if interested.
Thank you.
--
Nancy Kreith
Extension Program Coordinator
University of Illinois Extension
3807 W. 111th Street
Chicago, IL. 60655
office: 773.233.0476
fax:773.233.0910
cell: 708.567.6101
url: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu
Posted by Ron Wolford at 6:23 AM | Permalink |
January 15, 2008
2007 Master Composter Training Completed
This past October the University of Illinois Extension completed its third Master Composter training at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. Twelve students were in the class and are now ready to volunteer for composting activities. If your school, community group or organization is interested in a compost or worm composting demonstrations, please contact Nancy Kreith at 773-233-0476 or nkreith@gmail.com.
Master Composters, Ella Russell and Ruth Melulis, will present Compost Basics at GreenNet's Green and Growing Fair on April 26, 2008 at Garfield Park Conservatory.
The next Master Composter training will be offered in the fall of 2008 on October 4, 11 and 18. To apply go to http://web.extension.uiuc.edu
Nancy Kreith
Extension Program Coordinator
University of Illinois Extension
3807 W. 111th Street
Chicago, IL. 60655
office: 773.233.0476
fax: 773.233.0910
cell: 708.567.6101
url: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu
Posted by Ron Wolford at 8:46 AM | Permalink |
January 8, 2008
Help Setup Classroom Worm Bins
What: Worm Composting: Indoor bin set up in four classrooms
When: Thursday, January 17, 2008
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Where: North Kenwood Oakland Elementary Charter School (NKO) - 1119 East 46th Street
This is a wonderful school that we have been working with on a regular basis. We will start the bins next January, the students will manage the bins over the next few months and in April we will harvest and use the finished compost in their school garden. I will be at the event to assist you. Please contact me if interested.
Thank you.
Nancy Kreith
Extension Program Coordinator
University of Illinois Extension
3807 W. 111th Street
Chicago, IL. 60655
office: 773.233.0476
fax: 773.233.0910
cell: 708.567.6101
url: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/
Posted by Ron Wolford at 2:26 PM | Permalink |
January 7, 2008
January Monthly Meeting
Master Gardeners: Kick off the Master Gardener Activities for 2008 with the January monthly meeting. (Remember for each monthly meeting you attend your earn one hour of Volunteer Credit, and, usually, one hour of Continuing Education.)
When: Tuesday, January 29
Where: Community Room of Garfield Park Conservatory
The Schedule:
6:30 p.m. - Pot Luck Dinner
6:45 p.m. - Announcements
7:00 p.m. - Our speaker is Tim Halbach from the National Weather Service.
He will be ready to answer your weather related questions and introduce us to Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, CoCoRahs: www.cocorahs.org.
Ron and I have already approved CoCoRahs activity for Master Gardener Volunteer Credit
What is CoCoRaHS??
CoCoRaHS is an acronym for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. CoCoRaHS is a unique, non-profit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow).
By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive Web-site, our aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications.
This will be the first monthly meeting for our new Master Gardener Interns who began their classes on January 16. Please come meet them and make them feel welcomed.
Elizabeth Bruhns
Master Gardener Program Organizer
Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:36 PM | Permalink |
December 14, 2007
Teach Basics of Composting in April
We received the following request from GreenNet. GreenNet's Green and Growing Fair will be held on April 26, 2008. Besides the scheduled presentation below, we will also provide on-going compost demonstrations from 11 a.m. -3 p.m. during this same event. I will be emailing you a reminder as we get closer to the date.
There are two 45 minute workshops scheduled on Saturday, April 26th at Garfield Park Conservatory at 10 a.m. and 11a.m. We are looking for someone to present on the basics of composting during one of these time slots. We would like to have a speaker in place by the end of December for this presentation.
If you are interested please call or email me at nkreith@gmail.com
Nancy Kreith
Extension Program Coordinator
University of Illinois Extension
3807 W. 111th Street
Chicago, IL. 60655
office: 773.233.0476
fax: 773.233.0910
cell: 708.567.6101
Posted by Ron Wolford at 6:36 PM | Permalink |
November 2, 2007
Ode to Compost
The following is an Ode to Compost written by Vicky Grogan who just finished Master Composter training at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences.
Ode to Compost
Ole Ole-Ole Ole
I'm cooking up compost today
And it's Hot! Hot! Hot!
My carbons high, my nitrogens low
I've got the proper ratio
And it's Hot! Hot! Hot!
Watered til my piles a sponge
Air is moving cuz I turned it some
And it's Hot! Hot! Hot!
First psychophiles are in my bin
Then mesophiles are kickin in
Sterilized at 155 over 3 to 5 days
Thermophilics thrive!
And their Hot! Hot! Hot!
Weeds are frying in the heat
Pathogens we must defeat
Keep it Hot! Hot! Hot!
Chop the yard waste for a faster time
Microos and Macros want to dine
Keep it Hot! Hot! Hot!
5 wheelbarrow loads is a cubic yard
Keeps the Fungi working hard
Perfect size lets air flow through
Now it's really up to you
So here we go
Compost in the veggie space
Reduces lead found in that place
Mulch in the garden–Hot! Hot! Hot!
Dressing on the lawn–Hot! Hot! Hot!
Amend your soil–Hot! Hot! Hot!
A start for seedlings it could be
Mix a potting soil
Or a compost tea
Start it Hot! Hot! Hot!
Posted by Ron Wolford at 11:29 AM | Permalink |
November 2, 2007
Chicago Earth Machine Sale
Below you will find details on the sale of Earth Machines through the City of Chicago. I am trying to get the bins donated by the City for your class.
Please be sure to check the Master Composter Blog for updates. This message, along with Vicky's Ode to Compost will be posted on the blog soon. Visit the blog at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu
Visit your classmate Gloria's Blog when you get a chance:http://pollinators-welcome
Earth Machine Sale information: Residents can pick up a discounted compost bin at the Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 North Sacramento Blvd. on the following days:
Wednesday, November 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 3, from 9:00 a.m. - noon
Saturday, November 10, from 9:00 a.m. - noon
Bins cost $30 and are payable by cash or money order only, we are unable to accept cash. They are large, but usually fit in the empty back seat of most 4-door cars and in SUVs. If the car is smaller, like a 2-door, it would be wise to bring bungee cord or rope, in case the bin needs to go in the trunk.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 9:43 AM | Permalink |
