January 30, 2008
Volunteer Opportunity: Smart Home: Green and Wired
Master Gardeners,
In spite of the wind chill factor today, Spring is coming, and you are invited to participate in one of the most exciting joint projects ever: The Smart Home: Green and Wired Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. It will open on May 8, but we need to begin preparations now.
This project will require participation from all of us, so choose an orientation date and sign up now.
Master Gardeners at the MSI Smart Home: Green and Wired Exhibit
Donate Your Time and Talents to this joint project of University of Illinois Extension and Museum of Science and Industry, a World Famous Institution
What?
Plant and maintain the sustainable vegetable garden and share your garden knowledge at the Smart Home: Green and Wired exhibit that opens on May 8, 2008 at the Museum of Science and Industry & runs through January 4, 2009.
Volunteer opportunities include: Planting Team, Garden Groomers, Garden Docents, Garden Photographers, Garden Historians and Ask the Experts.
Who?
Master Gardeners who are friendly, approachable and possess a professional attitude and appearance.
How?
Contact your local MG Coordinator. Both Elizabeth Bruhns, ebruhns@uiuc.edu and Nancy Kreith, nkreith@gmail.com will take your reservation for the Kick-off dates.
Attend one Kick-off training session with University of Illinois Extension staff on either February 7th or 9th, 10 a.m. – Noon to be held at the Museum of Science and Industry.
Complete a MSI volunteer application.
Attend one MSI Volunteer Orientation in either March or April.
Volunteers will be scheduled on Tuesday's, Thursday's and Saturday's.
Volunteers will be required to complete both Extension and MSI background checks.
Why?
Hone your sustainable vegetable gardening skills.
Gain knowledge of the Museum, its history and numerous exhibits.
Be involved with this exciting new exhibit and learn about all the green features of the Smart Home: Green and Wired.
Volunteers receive many perks, including: MSI food and shopping discounts, free entry to the Museum, family vouchers and FREE parking.
Meet new people and have a great time.
Elizabeth Bruhns
Master Gardener Program Organizer
Cook County/Chicago
ebruhns@uiuc.edu
cell # 773-469-8037
3807 West 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60655
773-233-0476 -Fax 773-233-0910
url http://cook.extension.uiuc.edu
MASTER GARDENER BLOG-
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb6/index.html
Posted by Ron Wolford at 4:32 AM | Permalink |
January 23, 2008
Volunteer at Macy's 2008 Flower Show
We are looking for experienced Master Gardeners to take on a high-profile volunteer opportunity. We have been invited to be ambassadors for Macy's Flower Show from March 13-March 30 at their Loop location.
This is a great opportunity to provide information to the public, and raise the profile of the Cook County/Chicago Master Gardener Program.
The Flower Show display will be open to the public March 13-March 30. We will have ambassadors there on 12 of those days. Volunteer hours will be from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. with lunch break included.
Our Volunteer days are:
Thursday, March 13
Friday, March 14
Saturday, March 15
Sunday, March 16
Thursday, March 20
Friday, March 21
Saturday, March 22
Sunday, March 23
Thursday, March 27
Friday, March 28
Saturday, March 29
Sunday, March 30
We will work in teams of five or six Master Gardeners to provide tours of the show and to host a Plant Information Booth.
Master Gardeners will lead three guided tours on each day, Thursday through Sunday. Each tour will last approximately 30 minutes, with tours starting at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Master Gardeners will host the information booth from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday, on the main floor with flower show and appropriate Extension horticulture brochures. Master Gardeners will be ready to answer gardening questions and provide general information. The booth will remain set up display for the entire length of the flower show, but will only be staffed for12 of the days (see dates above) the show is open to the public.
Here are the perks that Macy's will provide for each MG Volunteer:
Lunch in the Walnut room
Free parking
Thank you reception
Pre-night tour
Orientation session
They will also provide:
1. Plant list, one month ahead of time. (We will set up study session on the Plant List. You will receive Continuing Education credit for that session.
We will also award double credit hours for Volunteering on the Easter holiday.)
2. Map of flower displays
3. Map of 1st floor
You will have an opportunity to meet with the Show's designer at the pre-night tour.
Is this the volunteer opportunity for you? Do you have any tour guide experience? Are you comfortable answering gardening questions and interacting with the public? Would you like to know a high profile flower show from the inside-out, and share that knowledge with the public?
To volunteer, contact me with your choice of dates. You may volunteer for more than one date.
Macy's is making a generous donation to University of Illinois Extension to support the Chicago Master Gardener program
University of Illinois Extension will be listed as a partner on flower show brochures, press releases and Macy's Flower Show web site.
What a great way to start the season!
Elizabeth
ebruhns@uiuc.edu
Posted by Ron Wolford at 5:52 PM | Permalink |
January 23, 2008
Help with Insect Petting Zoo
Hello Master Gardeners,
Please consider volunteering for the following activity:
What: Insect Petting Zoo - Showing off millipedes, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and a tarantula.
When: Thursday, February 21, 2008
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: North Kenwood Oakland Elementary Charter School (NKO) - 1119 E. 46th St.
This is a wonderful school that we have been working with on a regular basis. Please join us in teaching four classrooms the wonderful world of insects. Grade levels: K-1st. If interested please contact Nancy Kreith: nkreith@gmail.com
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 5:15 PM | Permalink |
January 19, 2008
Cook County Extension Science Volunteer
Cook County Master Gardeners:
Would you like to branch out into another area of science?
The Cook County Extension science team is recruiting volunteers, and Dr. Oliver, our NE Region Director, and Dean of Urban Affairs suggested they look among the talented Master Gardeners for additional help. I know that will be of interest to a few special people. It is a great team of Educators, and I think you would enjoy the program.The application is on the Cook County Science and Tech team website at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/scitech1793.html. If you have questions, give me a call or one of the Educators listed on the website.
Extension Science Volunteers
COOK COUNTY SCIENCE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Studies have shown that U.S. students are falling behind the rest of the world in science and math. One of the most significant reasons for this declining performance is that students lack exposure to scientific fields. The most affected individuals are from underserved communities who are typically not encouraged to explore the sciences and as a result are not prepared to pursue scientific careers.
To bridge this gap the University of Illinois Extension has developed a Science Volunteer Program aimed at providing scientific education to underrepresented populations in Cook County. The goal of this program is to provide supplemental, experiential learning for primary and secondary students, as well as adults and teachers.
Science Volunteers use their scientific background to provide enhanced, appropriate, personal, academic, and scientific education to help individuals achieve their future goals and to influence career choices in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
We hope that you find this project worthwhile and seize this opportunity to become a force for positive change in your community by joining the Science Volunteers. By doing so you can make a meaningful contribution to the lives of others.
Nancy Pollard
Horticulture Educator
Cook County / South Suburban Unit
5527 Miller Circle Drive, Suite A, Matteson, Illinois 60443
phone (708) 720-7500. fax (708) 720-7509
email pollard@uiuc.edu
http://cook.extension.uiuc.edu
Posted by Ron Wolford at 4:24 PM | Permalink |
January 19, 2008
Volunteer for Job Shadowing Program
Master Gardeners:
Please consider the following event. We would love to help out the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. CHAS is still in need of positions for the Student Job Shadowing Program. If you are in a situation where you have a project for high school students to work on or perform hands-on activities during your work schedule, you would be perfect for this program.
When: Jan 30, 31 or February 1, 2008
Where: Students will meet you at the job site at a time set by you. Students will be available from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. You can decide on the number of students you wish to host.
Deadline: Please reply to Nancy Kreith at nkreith@gmail.com by Tuesday, January 22-Once you reply I can send you the two necessary forms.
Many of you have some of the most interesting jobs around, plus many are agriculture-related, but this in not a requirement. The business owners of the group will serve as a great inspiration to these students. I hope you will consider this unique opportunity.
Thank you for your time.
--
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 5:23 AM | Permalink |
January 16, 2008
Volunteer at MSI Smart Home Garden
What?
- Plant and maintain the sustainable vegetable garden and share your garden knowledge at the Smart Home: Green and Wired exhibit that opens on May 8, 2008 at the Museum of Science and Industry & runs through Jan. 2009.
- Volunteer opportunities include: Planting Team, Garden Groomers, Garden Docents, Garden Photographers, Garden Historians and Ask the Experts.
Who?
- Master Gardeners.
- Those that are friendly, approachable and possess a professional attitude and appearance.
How?
- Contact your local MG Coordinator.
- Attend one Kick-off training session with University of Illinois Extension staff on either Feb. 7th or 9th, 10am – Noon.
- Complete a MSI volunteer application.
- Attend one MSI Volunteer Orientation in either March or April.
- Volunteers will be scheduled on Tuesday's, Thursday's and Saturday's. Sign-up for dates at the Kick-off.
- Volunteers will be required to complete both Extension and MSI background checks.
Why?
- Hone your sustainable vegetable gardening skills.
- Gain knowledge of the Museum, its history and numerous exhibits.
- Be involved with this exciting new exhibit and learn about all the green features of the Smart Home: Green and Wired.
- Volunteers receive many perks, including: MSI food and shopping discounts, free entry to the Museum, family vouchers and FREE parking.
- Meet new people and have a great time.
Photo: Museum of Science and Industry
Posted by Ron Wolford at 1:08 PM | Permalink |
January 16, 2008
Volunteer at MELA Conference
Master Gardeners,
This is an excellent opportunity. After helping out our sister organization with preparation tasks you may also attend their wonderful conference.
Elizabeth
MELA, The Midwest Ecological Landscape Association, is seeking five volunteers to help with the annual conference to be held February 28th at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Master Gardener volunteers were most helpful last year at the MELA conference, and we look forward to welcoming them again this year.
More information on the conference is available at the MELA website, www.melaweb.org. Volunteers will enjoy free admission to the conference. They will help with registration, book sales, directing participants to the appropriate rooms, and packing up at the end of the day. Volunteers will need to provide their own transportation to the Chicago Botanic Garden. They should expect to arrive by 8 a.m. and will be needed for about half an hour after the conference concludes at 3 p.m. Volunteers will, of course, be welcome to attend as many sessions as possible.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Rinda West. Her email is rindaw@comcast.net.
www.rindawestdesigns.com
Posted by Ron Wolford at 6:12 AM | Permalink |
January 8, 2008
Fiskars Project Green Thumb Grant
Started in 2003, Project Orange Thumb is a grant program that provides community garden groups with the tools and materials they need to reach their goals for neighborhood beautification and horticulture education.
During our inaugural year, we partnered with the Chicago Park District and the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance to provide tools, materials and support to three community gardens in Chicago.
Marking our 5th successful year in 2007, Project Orange Thumbs has provided over 100 community groups with over $200,000 to create and develop their own special community gardens. These included projects geared toward community involvement, neighborhood beautification, sustainable agriculture and/or horticultural education.
Community garden groups, as well as schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, etc. are encouraged to apply.
Grant recipients receive:
- Up to $1,500.00 in Fiskar's Garden Tools
- Project Orange Thumb t-Shirts for garden members/volunteers
- Up to $800.00 for other materials such as plants, seeds, mulch, etc.
If you have any questions about this program, please contact us here:
orangethumb@fiskars.com or call 800-500-4849.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 7:31 PM | Permalink |
January 8, 2008
Volunteer at Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show
Do you want to:
Support MELA in a new way?
Attend the Midwest's premier green industry trade show?
Network in a greener way?
Do all of the above at the same time?
Then have we got the event for you!
For the first time in our history, the Midwest Ecological Landscaping Association is going to have a booth at the Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show.
We'll be in Booth 338 and we would love your help in staffing our booth. Mid-Am will be held at the Lakeside Center of McCormick Place in Chicago.
The show runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, January 16th to Friday, January 18th, except on Friday when it ends at 3 p.m. We would like people to commit to 1/2 day increments.
Here's the schedule:
Wed., January 16: 1st shift: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
2nd shift: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thurs., January 17: 1st shift: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 .pm.
2nd shift: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fri., January 18: 1st shift: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
2nd shift: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (plus pack up)
The first two people to sign up for each of the six shifts will get free admission (expo only) to the MidAm conference!!
If you are not one of the first two people to sign up and would still like to volunteer, please come on down and join us anyway. Help us deliver our industry-changing message to our friends and colleagues and, at the same time, sign up a few new MELA members.
We will have a help sheet for people who are staffing the booth, as well as brochures, questionnaires and awesome "Live Green and Prosper" pens to hand out. In addition, we will be holding a raffle drawing each day to give MidAm attendees an opportunity to win one admission to the MELA conference in February.
If you would like to join us, email us at info@melaweb.org.
Stay tuned! Information about MELA membership renewal and our upcoming annual conference will be arriving soon!!
See you at MidAm!
Julie Siegel
President, MELA
Posted by Ron Wolford at 1:12 PM | Permalink |
January 8, 2008
Oregon Banning the Butterfly Bush
Did you hear the Oregon is trying to ban the butterfly bush? There are so many planted in the landscape and in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest that they are considered by some to be noxious weeds.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 1:08 AM | 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 you 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 12:57 PM | Permalink |
January 6, 2008
Building Locally Based Food Systems Workshop
If you are interested in expanding local foods work in your Unit, plan to attend Strategies for Building Locally Based Food Systems in Illinois Communities
A one-day workshop for Extension Educators and County Directors, elected and appointed officials, agency staff and economic development directors . . . and anyone interested in strengthening their community and its economy by creating a vibrant local food system.
You have a choice of TWO dates at TWO locations for this one-day workshop: February 11th, 2008 Starved Rock Lodge State Park, Utica Illinois or February 13th, 2008, University of Illinois Springfield, Illinois
There is growing interest in community or locally based food systems among a variety of key players in the food system (producers, consumers, non-profit organizations). Farmers' markets are on the rise and many consumers want to know where their food comes from. This workshop will introduce a newly developed resource guide on building local food systems for both rural and urban communities. This "how to" process outlines, step by step, how to encourage a local food system and provides Illinois examples of success.
Participants will learn to: 1) Assess the state of the food system in their region, 2) Access existing knowledge about local food system activities and initiatives in Illinois, 3) Identify activities and projects that can help communities get started in building a locally based food system, and 4) Explore roles for Extension and key stakeholders in the food system.
For non-Extension participants, the cost is $30 per person and covers lunch (featuring local food), snacks and beverages and a copy of the Resource Guide, "Beyond the Farmers' Market: Planning for Local Food Systems."
To register: Deadline to register is FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2008. For more information or to register non-Extension participants, contact: Leslie Cooperband, lcooperb@uiuc.edu or 217-244-2743 or call Dee (Laboratory for Community and Economic Development staff) at 217.244.0120.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 11:54 AM | Permalink |
January 4, 2008
Online History of Horticulture Course
Purdue University has a course called, "The History of Horticulture" taught by Jules Janick of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. A video and PowerPoint slide program of all 42 lectures are available online.
You can view the video links in a media browser.The resolution is OK. Because image resolution is much better in the PowerPoint files the best way to view the lectures is to open the PowerPoint file (under "Course Content"), then open the video file and watch it as you follow along.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 6:24 PM | Permalink |
January 2, 2008
New Hort Answers Website
We are pleased to release the new Hort Answers website. It is a comprehensive guide to help homeowners living in the USDA Hardiness Zones 4, 5 & 6. It provides localized information to help select and care for plants as well as identify and manage plant diseases, insects and other problems.
The site was developed by Bruce Paulsrud, former Extension Specialist, PAT; Jim Schuster, Extension Specialist, PAT/Plant Pathology; Maurice Ogutu, Extension Educator, Horticulture; Sharon Yiesla, Extension Unit Educator, Horticulture, and Greg Stack, Extension Educator, Horticulture.
It will be an excellent resource for Master Gardeners, media, libraries, garden center personnel, and home gardeners.
You can visit the site at: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/hortanswers/
Posted by Ron Wolford at 3:36 PM | Permalink |
