Mark your calendar for the Ewing Field Agronomy Tour on Thursday, June 12, at 9 a.m.

When this tour date was set last December, there were hopes that corn and soybeans would be well established by that date. Unfortunately, Mother Nature has delayed 2008 plantings.

Hopefully, those plantings will happen as quickly as conditions permit. At the very least, we will have the wheat variety trial and the long-term soil fertility plots to discuss. Other field day topics remain "fluid" so that the program can be adapted to needs at that time.

The Ewing Demonstration Center is located approximately 12 miles northeast of Benton. From Illinois Route 37, turn east on Ewing Road and watch for signs. If weather conditions are questionable, call 618-242-9310 before traveling to the field day.

Babysitter Training is Set

The Business of Babysitting Clinic will be offered June 12, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for students ages 12 and older. We will learn how to care for children of all ages. Discipline, safety, how to bathe a baby, what to charge, and many more topics will be covered. Lunch will be prepared by students and some simple crafts that can be used with children will be taught.

Participants will leave with more confidence and understanding of the business of babysitting. Register for class by calling the Extension office at 439-3178 by June 9. Cost will be $10. This covers lunch, crafts and booklet. The teacher will be Alice Hunt.

Kids Sewing Club

The Kids Sewing Club will be a fun 3 day summer opportunity for youth with an interest in sewing. Class is offered for youth 8 years and older on June 16, 17, and 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily in the Extension building. We will make a lap size quilt and a pair of elastic waist pants. You will learn to cut, sew, layer and tie a quilt and how to make a garment using a pattern. You must attend every session to participate. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy the day sewing.

Please register for class by calling the Extension Office at 439-3178 by June 11. There is no cost for the class, but you will need to request a list and bring the fabric, pattern and supplies necessary. Sewing machines will be provided or you can bring your own. The teacher will be Alice Hunt.

Gardening With Your Children

Finding fun and creative ways to keep your kids active and healthy can be challenging with the fast-paced lives most families lead. One simple solution is to introduce your children to gardening. No matter where you live - city, country, small town, urban or rural - you can find a way to garden.

According to Janice McCoy, Extension Family Life Educator, gardening is a great way to get your children outside. Be prepared for a little mess as young children will be especially curious and want to dig in the dirt, look for worms and other bugs, and squish stuff between their fingers and toes.

Think about the types of plants you like and that grow well where you live - introduce your children to the things you love and they will learn to love them as well.

GET READY

• Figure out what you might grow and where you could grow it.
• Young children are small and may be overwhelmed by a large garden plot.
• Start small with container gardening or raised beds.
• Share the planning, purchasing, and planting together. The more involved, the more likely children will enjoy the experience.

GET SET

• Consider your child's age, size, and interest level. Perhaps you will want to purchase some small child-sized garden tools that will make gardening more enjoyable.
• Prepare your garden area. Consider your location. If you live in an apartment perhaps you could have permission to plant a small container garden or a rooftop garden.
• If having a garden or flower bed is not possible where you live consider starting a community garden. Ask your local community for permission to use an empty lot. Invite your neighbors to join you and make the time a social event.

GROW

Once you have your tools and have decided upon the plants you wish to grow--start planting.

• Remember that there will be maintenance involved in whatever type of garden you decide upon: weeding, watering, fertilizing and more.
• Make sure that you break each step down small enough for your child to enjoy and be safe.

Most of all encourage your child to have fun while being active.

Some websites to check out are:

www.extension.uiuc.edu

http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4dmg/Children/children.htm

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/firstgarden