The Franklin Area Cowboy Club will meet in the Extension Building west of Benton at 6:30 p.m. to hear a presentation by Teresa Steckler, University of Illinois Extension beef specialist from Mt. Vernon. Her topic is Improving Reproductive Efficiency in Beef Cattle. A complimentary meal will be provided by Fort Dodge Animal Health, and their representative will also share information on products and services. Any interested person is encouraged to attend. It is important to register no later than December 8, so that we can have an accurate meal count. Call 618-439-3178, and let us know when registering if you need a reasonable accommodation to attend.

Success in Growing Sweet Corn and Melons

It won't be long until it's time to plan for 2009 gardens! Seed catalogs will begin arriving right after the first of the year. If you are interested in the latest varieties of sweet corn and melons, information on garden site location and preparation, and the best cultural practices for maximum production, you will want to attend a program on Tuesday, December 9^th.

Jeff Kindhart, senior horticulture research specialist at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, will be the presenter. The time is 6:30 p.m. in the Extension building on Route 14 west of Benton. There is no fee, and any interested person is encouraged to attend. Please call 439-3178 by December 2 to let us know you plan to join us. Also please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate.

U of I Extension to Train Master Gardeners

Area lawn and garden enthusiasts can get intensive horticulture training in exchange for volunteer hours. The Master Gardener training, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, gets underway in January and runs through April.

The training program includes more than 60 hours of in-depth instruction on such topics as soils, botany, insects, pathology, fruit and vegetable production, wildlife management, turfgrass and ornamentals.

In exchange for this intensive training, Master Gardeners donate 60 hours of volunteer horticulture-related service back to U of I Extension in their local communities over a two year period. Some Master Gardeners answer lawn and garden questions from homeowners. Others help design and operate displays and demonstrations at home shows. And, some make presentations to local schools and civic groups or assist with landscaping projects.

In southern and south-central Illinois, the Master Gardener training starts January 13 and will be held on Tuesdays in the Edwardsville area; on Wednesdays in Charleston; and on Thursdays in Mt. Vernon. The first date in Mt. Vernon will be January 15, and sessions will continue every Thursday until April 16. Each session runs 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more details, contact your county U of I Extension office, 618-439-3178. Or, log on to the Illinois Master Gardener website, http://www/extension.uiuc.edu/mg/. There is a $165 fee which will be refunded after an individual completes the volunteer requirement.

Eating Healthy with Fruits and Vegetables

A growing body of research shows that fruits and vegetables are critical to promoting good health. To get the amount that's recommended, most people need to increase the servings of fruits and vegetables they currently eat every day. University of Illinois Extension is offering a program, Eating Healthy with Fruits and Vegetables on Wednesday, December 10, at 1:30 p.m. in the Extension Building. This workshop will focus on planning and preparing healthy meals using more fruits and vegetables.

Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.

Martha Winter MS, RD, University of Illinois Extension educator in nutrition and wellness, will be the instructor. To register or find out more information about the program, please call us at 439-3178. There is no fee.