Hello Master Composters, Happy New Year!

Volunteer opportunities will be rolling in with spring just around the corner. Here is one of the first of many: We are looking for one Master Composter to assist with a compost talk/demo. We will provide worms bin, handouts, microscopes, presentation board, puzzles, etc. The school is in Oak Park and the date is Feb. 11, 2009. Please see details below:

Holmes Elementary School in Oak Park would like to have a Master Composter come to speak about composting and vermicomposting on 2/11. Seven Generations Ahead is sponsoring the talk. We plan on having custodial staff, food service staff, parent volunteers and students attending. Please let me know which date works the best for the Master Composter. I believe the start time would be 2:00 p.m., and will confirm that time.

Please contact Nancy Kreith at nkreith@gmail.com if interested.

Thank you, Nancy

Hello Master Composters,

We have some worm composting school sessions coming up. Dates are currently
being confirmed, but I wanted to give you a heads up. I will let you
know more once I have the details.

*Please contact Kate Weinans at kweinans@illinois.edu to sign up.

Tuesday, Nov 18th
Schiller Elementary School
640 W. Scott
4th-5th Graders- most are already worm lovers from digging outside
90 minutes- starting at probably noonish.

Date- TBA (probably Wed Nov. 19th)
Tilden High School
4747 S. Union
9th-12th Grade After school Biology Club (elective club- all interested)
90 minutes- between 2:30-4pm

Date- TBA
John Hancock High School
56th Street and Pulaski
9th-12th grade After school Horticulture Workstudy Group- all interested
90 minutes- probably between 3:30pm-5pm

Kate Weinans

Urban Gardening:Youth Programs

kweinans@illinois.edu

773-233-0476

Hello again Master Composters, I had forgotten to inform you about the Worms Eat My Garbage book order. I learned that the hand-written prices on the Flowerfield Enterprises order forms reflect prices including shipping (I missed the fine print). One pound of redworms stands at $24.

As far a class book order, here is the deal: Retail price: $12.95 each If we order 10 or more we will get 40% OFF so it would be roughly $7.77 per book, plus shipping I will go ahead and place the order if 10 or more of you are interested. The books can be picked up from the Ag. School or Garfield Park during MG monthly meetings for $9 each or I can mail the book to you for a cost of $11 each. Once I receive the $11 check I will ship the book to you.

Please let me know by Nov. 10 if you are 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/

The following information comes from Mike Finn, Chicago Master Composter Intern.

Hello Master Composter Interns,

First of all, I was very impressed with ALL of your presentations. GREAT JOB! Thanks to those of you who left their projects for Extension use. You will make fine Extension Master Composters.

As promised, attached are the hours record sheet, demographic sheet (remember to count youth in two places), and worm resources. I am still working on updating the Chicago compost resource list.

Link to MC Blog: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb122/index.html
Updates will be added shortly. Finally, how are your worms?

Any questions/concerns? I will be in touch with volunteer opportunities. For now, everyone is invited to come to the Ag. School at his/her leisure to assist with chopping up garden waste for the compost bins. 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/

Hello future Master Composter Trainees,

My name is Nancy Kreith and I will be coordinating the Master Composter Program this year. Extension staff will be ready to welcome you with hot tea and coffee on Oct. 4. Welcome aboard!

Our first day of class for the 2008 Master Composter Training will be Saturday, October 4 at 9 a.m. You will be given a half hour for lunch and class will end by 3 p.m. You may bring your own lunch. There are also local places to grab a quick bite. If you have not paid your fee, please bring cash or a check made payable to "University of Illinois" on October 4. The fee is $75.

Please be sure to use the very west entrance of the Chicago High School for Agricultural Science (CHSAS). We will be meeting in the crop science wing, located directly behind the Farm Stand. Please park as close to the Farm Stand as possible and signs/staff will lead the way to the classroom. It is important that we do not go into the main school building because testing will be going on.

CHSAS is located at 3857 West 111th Street. The parking lot entrance is located on 111th St. just one block east of Pulaski. Most of you are traveling from the north. You can take Pulaski most of the way (there may be construction-road closed around 40th St. on Pulaski - Cicero is an alternate route) or take 94 E to 57 S and exit at 111th St. When exiting off 57 S at 111th St., go to the second stop light (Monterey) and turn right. This street turns into 111th Street. Take 111th St. for approximately 3 miles and enter the parking lot on the south side of the street before Pulaski. If you are coming from another area please let me know if you need assistance with directions. You can also go to http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/findus5.html for more detailed driving instructions.

Hello Master Composters,

We are still in need of one or two MCs for the compost demo on June 21. Please let me know if this interests you or if other dates interest you.

Thank you. Nancy Kreith

Where: Garfield Park Conservatory's Demonstration Garden –300 North Central Park

When: One Saturday per month

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Provided by: University of Illinois Extension Cook County/Chicago Master Composters

2008 Demonstration Schedule:

June 21 – Building up that Heat in a Compost Bin

Learn how to activate your compost pile and build up some heat!

July 12 – Harvesting and Using Your Compost

Start harvesting that finished compost from spring. Learn how to use your compost as mulch and potting mix. Compost sifting will be demonstrated.

August 16 – Brew a Batch of Compost Tea

Join us in the shade for a spot of tea. Compost tea works wonders on your plants and applying it is a cinch. The process of brewing the tea is slightly more complex.

September 20 – Basics of Composting – County Fair*

Learn passive composting systems, such as, add- as- you- go, leaf composting and leaving cut grass behind. Compost Basics all day – bring you fruit and veggie scraps.

October 11 – Compost Bins and Winter Preparation

Get those bins ready for winter. Harvest your remaining compost and use it in the fall. Remember to shred or cut large stems and branches into small pieces.

*Special Event - On-going demonstrations will last 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Hello Master Composters,

We are looking for two Master Composters to lead a demo on the In's and Out's of Composting. It is a two-hour lecture and demonstration on the basics of vermicomposting and outdoor composting (50 minutes on worms and 50 minutes on outdoor bins). Materials will be provided by Extension.

When: July 9th

Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Wright College - 4300 North Narragansett

Chicago, IL 60634

(773) 777-7900

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/

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.

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/