February 29, 2008
Barb Farner Retirement
As I start my 25th year with the University of Illinois Extension, it seems lately that I have been attending more retirement parties. When I was a newbie in Extension, I remember sitting at an Annual Conference ceremony where they were honoring staff for years of service. I was really surprised with the number of people who had 25, 30, 35 years of service. My thought was how anybody could stay in the same job for so long. Now I know. It's the great people you work with and the people you serve, plus everyday is different in this job.
Today I was in the Kankakee Extension office for Barb Farner's retirement party. Barb has been with Extension for 38 years. Barb was a Nutrition and Wellness Educator. Barb served with the Peace Corps for two years before starting her long career with Extension. Barb has traveled all over the world. She speaks Spanish fluently and has done some of her programs in Spanish. I want to wish Barbara all the best in her retirement. She will be missed.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 2:56 PM | Permalink |
February 28, 2008
Web Development Meeting in Urbana
I spent the day in Urbana at the University of Illinois meeting with Jane Scherer. Jane is Extension's Web guru. She is in charge of the development of all the content for the Extension Web site. I have been working with Jane for many years. When Extension started the Urban Programs Resource Network ,we were hoping for 100,000 hits in a year. Since the inception of the UPRN in1996 and since it was recently folded into the State Extension Web site, the site has received more than 32 million hits and has averaged over a million hits a month over the last six months.
Jane and her staff are working on a long list of web projects. I met with Jane to schedule due dates for updates for sites I have developed: Bulbs and More, Strawberries and More, Watch Your Garden Grow, Apples and More, Miracle of Fall, Pumpkins and More, Turkey for the Holidays, Poinsettia Pages,Winter Storm Resource Center and Christmas Trees and More. I love working on the development of the Web sites; I just need to find more time to work on them.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:27 AM | Permalink |
February 24, 2008
Listen to Garden Teleconferences
The American Community Gardening Association offers a series of excellent recorded teleconferences on their Web site. These are 90 minute conferences that have 1 to 3 speakers. Topics covered include garden fundraising, garden leadership, school gardens, fundraising and immigrants and community gardening.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 8:05 PM | Permalink |
February 18, 2008
Welcome Julie Perteet
The Urban Gardening staff would like to welcome our new secretary, Julie Perteet to the University of Illinois Extension. Julie will be splitting her time between our Chicago High School for Agriculture Sciences office and our Greenwood offices. Please welcome Julie to Extension when you call.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 10:35 PM | Permalink |
February 8, 2008
Valentine's Day Flower Care
"Whether you are giving roses, carnations, mums, or some other type of flower, you want them to last," says James Schuster. "Start with buying young flowers. Young rose buds have just their outer petals open, show no browning and on red roses there is no noticeable 'blue blush' showing through the red.
"The flower head stands straight up--the stem just below the flower has not become limp so that the flower head leans to the side."
The best carnations are not fully expanded and show no browning or wilting. Spike flowers like snapdragons and gladiolas should have the top third of the spike with the flowers still in bud. Daisy-like flowers should have the center look like a smooth flat to roundish button with a slight green color rather than a fuzzy-looking button.
"Whether the flowers are cut or potted, always check the age," says Schuster. "Check for browning and other aging/injury problems and check for wilting. Old flowers, diseased flowers, and wilted flowers have a short life expectancy."
Avoiding frost and freeze damage is another way to make gift flowers last longer. Make sure that there is adequate protection on the cut flowers and potted plants. Since heat rises, an opening at the top of wrapped cut flowers or sleeved potted plants lets the heat out and the cold in.
"Make sure that the wrapping or sleeve folds over to cover this opening before leaving the store to go to your car," Schuster says. "Also consider how cold the car is inside and how long it will take you to get home. The paper used to protect your plants is only a short-term protection. If the cut flowers or potted plant remain in the cold too long, the flowers will not last."
Cut flowers need to be placed in water as soon as possible to reduce the chance of wilting. Those receiving cut flowers should cut about one to two inches of the stems under water and, if possible, put the flowers into a vase while still under water.
"This prevents air bubbles from interfering with the uptake of water," explains Schuster. "Change the water frequently--at least once a day. If a preservative is used, do not use all the preservative on the first day. If no preservative is available, it becomes more important to change the water daily.
"Changing the water frequently reduces decay and its foul odor. Potted plants should be moist but not wet. Keep them cool and in lots of bright lot but not direct sun."
Posted by Ron Wolford at 1:47 AM | 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 2:00 PM | Permalink |
